First Fall Felted Knit Weekender Bag – Lesson One
Let’s get started on the inaugural Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along with a felted knit weekender bag! This is lesson one and we are making the base of the bag.
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REMEMBER…
This is a ???? free make-along ???? and will remain free until the end of Nov. 2022.
After that, the pattern will only be available as a paid pdf.
Important Dates of the First Fall Make-Along
This make-along will take place over four weeks.
Oct. 19, 2022 – Base of Bag
Oct. 26, 2022 – Body of Bag
Nov. 02, 2022 – Body of Bag Continued
Nov. 9, 2022 – Finishing and Felting
Special How to Line Class released on Nov. 16, 2022 <– VIP ONLY
The Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along | Felted Knit Weekender Bag
SKILL LEVEL
Adventurous Beginner
MEASUREMENTS
Bag Finished Measurements
33.5”wide x 24” tall x 10.3” base [85 x 51 x 26 cm] pre-felt
28” wide x 19” tall x 8.5” base [71 x 48 x 21.5 cm] post-felt
Size will vary slightly depending on felting.
Gauge
12 sts and 16 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette Stitch pattern pre-felt with yarn held double
MATERIALS
Yarn
Knit Picks, Wool of the Andes Worsted (100% wool, 110 yds / 101 m, 1.76 oz / 50 g CYCA #4 worsted)
Color A: 12 ball— #25072 Almond
Color B: 12 ball— #25652 Celestial
Color C: 12 ball— #23764 Red
Needle
U.S. 11 [8 mm] 60” circular needles, set of double pointed needles, or size required for gauge
Notions
Stitch markers, tapestry needle, washing machine for felting
Optional Extras:
- Zipper (sized to fit finished bag) *will discuss more about zippers in makealong
- Two rolled leather handles (length & style is your choice)
- Crochet Hook size G
ABBREVIATIONS
BO – Bind Off
CO – Cast On
K – Knit
P – Purl
RS – Right Side
St st – Stockinette Stitch (see pattern stitches)
St(s) – Stitches
WS – Wrong Side
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Felting Instructions
NOTE: We recommend you test felt your yarn. Knit a swatch using the same yarn in the same colors shown and test felt it before proceeding with your project.
You cannot predict the effects of all washing machines, detergents and local water conditions. Felting is irreversible. It is easy to felt “just a little more”, but impossible to undo the effects of over-felting.
Place the project in the washer and add a very small amount of baking soda or detergent (1⁄4 cap). Set the washer on hot water/cold rinse cycle, minimum size load, and wash garment. Check the felting process every 11-15 minutes depending on your machine, detergent, and local water conditions.
If using spin cycle to remove excess water, set on lowest setting. After the piece has finished, remove from washer and remove extra water from the fabric with a dry towel (DO NOT TWIST).
Lay project flat or shape piece to measurements to dry. Do not put in the sun or use a clothes dryer. Allow the project to dry thoroughly.
Zipper (optional)
With RS facing and zipper closed, pin zipper to top opening so that top edges are touching the outer edges of the zipper teeth, leaving zipper teeth exposed between the opening.
With contrasting sewing thread and RS facing, baste zipper to fronts close to zipper teeth. Turn the work inside out. With matching sewing thread, use a whipstitch to sew the outer edges of the zipper to the WS of the edge, being careful to follow along a single column of sts to ensure that the zipper is straight.
Turn the work back so the RS is facing, and with matching sewing thread, use small backstitches to secure the knitted fabric close to the zipper teeth. Remove basting thread.
PATTERN STITCHES
Stockinette Stitch (St st): Knit on RS, purl on WS.
Garter Stitch (Gtr St): Knit all sts every row.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
- Long Tail Cast-On >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Stranded Knitting (one color each hand) *video is in round but concept is same* >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Tuck or Weave Floats >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Duplicate Stitch >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Bury Ends >> Click Here for Video Help <<
- Lesson One Base of Bag >> Click Here for Video Help <<
SWATCH INSTRUCTIONS
Measurements of Swatch
7 x 10″ [18 x 25 cm] pre-felt
5.5” x 8” [14 x 20 cm] post-felt
With color C, holding two strands together, cast on 22 sts.
Row 1 (RS): Knit
Row 2 (WS): Purl
Work in Stockinette St pattern until piece measures 10″ [25 cm], or to desired length ending after a RS row.
Bind off.
FINISHING
Weave in all loose ends.
Felt the piece to desired measurements.
FIRST FALL WEEKENDER PATTERN — Lesson One
BASE
With color B held double, cast-on 31.
Using the stranding knitting technique (see video help), work in Stockinette St pattern following the chart for the base of the bag through row 101.
Bind off.
DO NOT FELT THE BASE! You will pick up stitches next lesson to continue to the body.
NOTES:
- Read the chart from bottom to top,right to left for RS rows, and left to right for WS rows.
- if working with 3 colors along one row is tricky, work the base in only colors A and B then use duplicate stitch to add color C when base is finished.
- if you want to work with only two colors, follow the two color chart.
- when stranding a color beyond 5-7 sts tuck the float.
CHART— Base (3 colors)
CHART— Base (2 colors)
Marly Bird First Fall Make-Along VIP EXPERIENCE
Don’t forget, the free pattern is only free for a limited time, but the VIP Experience has UNLIMITED ACCESS to the pattern, videos, and extras.
For week one: these extras:
- Learn how to read a color chart
- Learn how to work with 3 colors on one row
- Learn how to add pockets to the inside
- Learn how to use Stitch Fiddle to customize chart colors
- Ad-Free PDF of Lesson One Instructions (full pdf to be added at end of event)
- Live Q&A with Marly
Each week of instructions includes a video tutorial and a segment of the pattern to work along with the Marly’s Minions community. It’s not too late to upgrade to the VIP Experience.
Felted Knit Weekender Bag Show and Tell
Be sure to share your progress with us. In the Marly’s Minions FB Group there are a plethora of cheerleaders who want to cheer you on and see your amazing bags!
