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Adinkra Bag
Designed by Gina Griffin

This is a small intarsia project that makes a great gift. It’s just about the right size for a pair of socks and a paperback, or even lunch.

This African Adinkra symbol is called “Mate Masie (Ntesie)” and it means “I hear and keep.” It’s a symbol of knowledge and wisdom, and indicates a good memory and the ability to grasp information. So it seems like the perfect symbol for a knitter or spinner

You’ll need the following things:

One pair of #8 U.S. needles or a circular needle
Two #8 U.S. Double-Pointed needles (for handles)
One tapestry needle (to weave in ends)
One skein of worsted weight yarn in each of three colors. (If you want to felt your bag, make sure you don’t choose a superwash, or anything else that will resist felting.)

Finished Size: Approximately 10.5” W x 9.5” H

Abbreviations:
BO – Bind off
C – Color
CO – Cast on
DPN – Double-pointed needle
K - Knit
St. – Stitch
St. St. – Stockinette Stitch (knit on one right side, purl on wrong side)

Instructions:

Body:
CO 44 st. in C1 (brown.) Work in St. st. for 10 rows.

Work chart using C2 (white) and C3 (pink.) [40 rows.]**

Work in St. St in C1 for 20 rows.

Work in St. st and C2 for 40 rows.

Work in St. st and C2 for 10 rows. BO.

Weave in all ends.

Fold piece in half and stitch up side seams with a tapestry needle. (I did my seam from the right side, but do what works best for you.)

Handles:
Using C1, work I-Cord for 13” (or desired length.)

If you’ve never worked I-Cord, work as follows:

Using two DPNs, K3 st.
Do not turn your work.
Continue to work three st., and give the yarn a slight tug at end of each row.

You are forming a little tube as you work. When you reach the desired length, BO.

To attach strap, measure in 3” from side of bag. Stitch end of strap in place on the wrong side of the bag. Do the same on the opposite side of the bag. Repeat process for the second strap.

Felting:
You probably don’t have to felt your bag. I’m really lazy about felting, so I threw my bag in with a load of (old and colorfast) jeans. It came out fine.

**NOTE: Download Adinkra chart here.

Handles: Using C1, work I-Cord for 13” (or desired length.)

Handles:
Using C1, work I-Cord for 13” (or desired length.)