Back to back Fair Isle Bs adorn this useful messenger bag.

Size

Approximately 13” wide x 4 1/2” deep x 9 1/2” high (not including straps and with flap folded over)

Materials

2 Hanks each Berroco Ultra Alpaca (100 grs), #6243 Navy and #6249 Fennel

Straight knitting needles, size 8 (5.00 mm) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE

29” Length circular knitting needle, size 8 (5.00 mm)

2 Double pointed knitting needles (dpn), size 8 (5.00 mm)

Crochet hook, size 5.00 mm (H)

Optional: 1 Yd iron-on interfacing

Gauge

22 sts = 4”;  24 rows = 4” in St st following chart

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE

Note:  This gauge is after steaming and with interfacing applied.

Note:  When changing colors, hold yarn to the left and pick up new color from underneath.  This twists yarn so there are no holes.

Back

With straight needles, using Navy, cast on 73 sts.  Work even in St st, following chart until piece measures approximately 15 1/2” from beg, end on RS with Row 1 of chart.  Bind off.

Front

Work same as back until piece measures 9” from beg, end on RS with Row 9 of chart.  Bind off.

Gusset/Strap

With straight needles, using Navy, cast on 25 sts.  Work in St st, following chart until piece measures approximately 58” from beg, end on RS with Row 1 of chart.  Bind off.

Finishing

Steam pieces with hot iron and a pressing cloth.  If desired, apply iron-on interfacing to WS of back and front following manufacturer’s instructions.  Sew cast-on and bound-off edges of gusset/strap tog being careful not to twist piece.  Sew side and lower edges of back and front to side edges of gusset/strap with seam at center of lower edge.  Approximately 23” of gusset/strap should be left unsewn to form strap.  Back of bag will fold over to form flap.  Turn bag inside-out and apply iron-on interfacing to inner edge of gusset.

Strap Lining:  With straight needles, using Navy, cast on 115 sts.  Work even in St st for 2 1/2”, end on WS.  Bind off.  Sew lining to WS of strap (strap should roll toward inside about 1/2” on each side so seams won’t show on RS.

Front Edging:  With RS facing, using crochet hook and Navy, work in Reverse sc across top edge of front.

Flap Edging:  With RS facing, using circular needle and Navy, pick up sts evenly around entire flap edge.  With dpn’s and Navy, cast on 3 sts.

* Row 1 (RS):  K2, insert point of RH needle through next st and first st on circular needle and k these 2 sts tog.  DO NOT turn.  Sl sts to beg of needle to work next row from RS.  Rep from * until all sts on circular needle have been worked.  Bind off.