Beads and Things:
This beaded bag is a great project for people who are new to knitting with beads because the beads are only needed near the beginning and the end of the project.
The cute little bag is worked in the round, increasing for the bottom and then knitting the sides up. Using lots of beads at the bottom helps make the bag more stable, while the smaller amount of beads at the top adds interest without making the bag top-heavy.
Materials:
- about 115 yards medium weight 100 percent rayon yarn (I used two skeins of Berroco Glace in Pink Champagne, which has been discontinued but may be available online)
- set of 4 size 7 US double-pointed needles
- 48 8mm glass beads, or beads of your choice that will fit the yarn you're using (I used Bead Treasures combo color beads in pink and green and needed 2 bags to get enough with big holes)
- scissors and yarn needle
Gauge:
20 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches (5 stitches and 6.5 rows per inch) in Stockinette Stitch in the round.
Size:
Bag is 5 inches wide at base and about 7 inches tall, with a 36-inch I-cord closure
Instructions for Knitting the Base:
- String 36 beads onto yarn and push them out of the way as you go.
- Cast on 9 stitches. Divide onto 3 needles, join in round, and mark end of round with stitch marker, if desired.
- Knit one round.
- Knit in the front and back of each stitch, 18 stitches.
- Knit 3 rounds.
- Kfb each stitch, 36 stitches.
- Knit 6 rounds.
- Kfb each stitch, 72 stitches.
- Knit 5 rounds.
- Purl the next round.
Knitting the Bag:
Knitting the Strap:
The closure and strap for the bag is 36 inches of I-cord. Here's how it's done.
- Cast on 3 stitches onto a double-pointed needle.
- Knit one row, then push the stitches to the opposite end of the needle without turning the work.
- Knit the next row, pulling the working yarn from the bottom to the top of the work.
- Continue in this manner, pulling on the cord occasionally to ensure that the tube is seamless, until it measures 36 inches.
- Bind off, cut yarn and weave in ends.
- Weave the cord in and out through the yarn overs in the body of the bag and tie in a bow. The loops of the bow can be used to carry the bag.
Make it Your Own:
If desired, sew a lining into the bag to make it more durable and useful. You can also use different beads, more or fewer beads, or add a stitch pattern or a stripe to the main body of the bag.
As is, this is a really quick project that should just take you a couple of evenings to complete, but it looks a lot fancier, thanks to the beads.
