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Sadz Resama Bega
(Sari Silk Bag)
Design by Katherine Vaughan

Sadz Resama Bega uses a dense stitch pattern knit in the round to create a tote bag out of recycled sari silk that will stand up to normal wear without needing a lining.

The inspiration for this bag came from some very yummy recycled sari silk that I found on eBay. Unfortunately, the silk is very fuzzy, shifts colors suddenly, and has varying weights – so can be difficult to work into items that are picky about pattern and gauge. The stitch used for the tote is very dense, so it has diminished need for lining to prevent stretching or stuff from poking out. At the same time, the slipped stitches form a pleasing hint of pattern among the strong color shifts of the yarn. Simple hemming at the top and a basic seam at the bottom, plus the use of the gauge swatch to make an inside pocket, mean you don’t have to spend a lot of time on finishing. At 8” diameter by 10” tall, the bag is roomy enough for most of my going out uses – or to carry small knitting projects!

Skill Level
Intermediate (knitting in the round, slipped stitches)

Materials
Approx 9oz (225yds) [255 grams (205m)] Recycled Sari Silk
US 6 [4mm] needles, circular (16”), plus one more US 6 [4mm] circular needle (length not important) *or size needed to obtain gauge*
Purse Handles (set of 2); black plastic trapezoidal; 4” on short side by 6” on long side
Stitch marker
DMC 355 embroidery floss (or color to match your yarn; this is for working finishing sewing and should be largely unseen on the outside)
Darning/yarn needle
Seaming pins

Gauge
Approx. 21 stitches by 32 rows = 4”/10cm square in pattern stitch, worked flat

Abbreviations
Sl1 wyib: Slip one stitch purlwise, with yarn held in back

Pattern Stitch ("Heel Stitch")
Worked flat over 2+1 stitches:
Row 1 (WS): Purl all stitches
Row 2: K1; (Sl1 wyib; K1) repeat to end

Worked in the round over an even number of stitches:
Round 1: Knit all stitches
Round 2: (K1; Sl1 wyib) repeat to end

Instructions
Gauge swatch:
Cast on 30 stitches.
Work in flat pattern for 40 rows.
Bind off.
This swatch should be approximately 4.5in [11.4cm] square. Keep swatch to form pocket.

Bag body:
Cast on 84 stitches and join, making sure not to twist.
Place marker.
Work in the round pattern stitch for 10in [25cm], ending with Round 1.

At this point you will be creating four flaps, all knit flat. Two will be approximately 1in [2.5cm] long; two are approximately 3.5in [9cm] long. The two short flaps are the side hems; the two long flaps are to hold the handles.

Hem flap 1 {21 stitches}:
Work first row onto second set of needles, leaving remaining stitches on original needles (use point protectors or other means to keep stitches from sliding off needles).

Work flat for 7 rows

Row 1: K1; (Sl1 wyib; K1) ten times
Row 2: Purl

Bind off on the 8^th row in purl.

Handle flap 1:
Work first row onto second set of needles, leaving remaining stitches on original needles (use point protectors or other means to keep stitches from sliding off needles).

Work flat for 27 rows

Row 1: Sl1 wyib; (K1; Sl1 wyib) ten times
Row 2: Purl
Bind off on the 28^th row in purl.

Hem flap 2 {21 stitches}: As hem flap 1

Handle flap 2: As handle flap 1, except that there will be no stitches remaining on the original needles.

Finishing
Turn bag inside out.

Fold over hem flaps and stitch to inside of bag using embroidery floss.

Place long end of handles so that bottom of handle is flush with top of bag.

Fold handle flap over handle and stitch to inside of bag using embroidery floss. Make sure these flaps are tightly stitched, particularly along the sides, so that the handle does not slide easily.

Fold bag in half so that handles align. Pin bottom hem and stitch closed using embroidery floss.

Using embroidery floss, sew gauge patch to inside of bag 2in [5cm] below inside edge of handle to form bottom. Remember: don’t sew the top of the pocket closed!

Secure yarn ends to inside of bag.

Copyright: This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

KT has been knitting for a remarkable 20 years, and has been designing her own accessories and knitwear for the last 5. She is a CYCA Certified Knitting Teacher, and enjoys showing off to people on the commuter bus just what you can do with two sticks and some yarn. Blog: http://knitwithkt.blogspot.com.

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