Pignoli is a felted bag, knit in a corrugated stitch.

Size

Approximately 15” wide x 12” high x 4” deep after felting

Materials

6 Balls Berroco Peruvia (100 grs), #7114 Chipotle

29” Length knitting needle, size 6.00 mm (U.S. size 10) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE

Straight knitting needles, size 10

3 1/2 Yds leather cording

Two 6” long x 1/4” wide tapered plastic beads from M & J Trimmings

Tapestry needle or small awl

Gauge

17 sts = 4”;  22 rows = 4” in St st on size 10 needles before felting

24 sts = 4”;  45 rows = 4” in Pat St on size 10 needles after felting

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE

Bag

With circular needle, cast on 168 sts.  Do not join.  * Work 8 rows St st, then work 8 rows Reverse St st.  Rep from * for Pat St until a total of 168 rows have been completed, end on WS.  Bind off.

Side Gusset/Strap

With straight needles, cast on 24 sts.  Work in St st, dec 1 st each side every 3” 6 times – 12 sts.  Piece should measure approximately 18” from beg.  Mark beg and end of last row for beg of strap.  Work even until strap measures 60” above markers, end on WS.  Mark beg and end of last row for end of strap.  Inc 1 st at each end of next row, then every 3” 5 times more – 24 sts.  Work even until gusset measures 18” above last set of markers, end on WS.  Bind off.

Finishing

Measure in 17” from each side on cast-on and bound-off ends of bag and mark.  Fold bag in half lengthwise.  Sew cast-on and bound-off ends of gussets to ends of bag between markers.  Sew sides of gussets to ends of bag matching markers with sides of bag.  Note:  Ease in any fullness.  When felting, any puckering will be eliminated.  Felt bag by washing in washing machine using hot water and soap.  It may be necessary to run through the cycle more than once to reach the desired measurements.  Remove from washer, shape by hand and allow to air dry.  Trim extra fuzziness if necessary.  Using tapestry needle or awl, make holes around entire bag at each side of Reverse St st ridges 2” down from top of bag.  Cut cording into 3 equal pieces.  Hold 3 pieces of cording tog and thread through tapestry needle.  Beg and end at center front, weave cording in and out around top of bag.  Thread 1 cord through bead, then tie 3 cords tog at end.  Repeat on other end of cords.  Tie as in photo.