Robyn Wade (photo)
(click image to enlarge)

7-10 Split

by Sarah Hood and Robyn Wade

Suggested Viewing

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Difficulty

Strong Intermediate
Click here for definitions of difficulty levels.

Finished Measurements

10.5" x 10" x 4" felted

Materials

• Cascade 109 LE [100% wool; 109yd per sk; 4 sk Main Color (MC), 1 sk Contrasting Color (CC)] (Cascade 220 is a good substitute. Twice as much is needed; knit with two strands held together throughout.)
• US 11 (8mm) straight needles
• US 10.5 (6.5mm) straight needles
• K (6.5mm) crochet hook
• 12-14" zipper matching MC
• Tapestry needle
• Sewing needle
• Sewing thread
• Optional Materials
  • Felting Needle
  • Roving
  • Premade purse handles

Gauge

Robyn Wade (photo)
click image to enlarge

11sts x 16 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch before felting

Directions

Front and Back (make 2):

In MC, with larger needles, cast on 31. Knit as follows:

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1
Rows 4-17: Repeat rows 2 and 3 seven times (47 stitches total)
Rows 18-26: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 27: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1
Row 28: Purl
Row 29: Knit
Row 30: Purl

Rows 31-66: Repeat rows 27-30 nine times (27 stitches remain) and bind off.

Bottom and Sides:

In MC, with larger needles, cast on 14 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch for 42 rows, work in garter stitch for 46 rows, then work in stockinette stitch for 42 rows again. Bind off.

Top (make 2):

In main color, with larger needles, cast on 62. Work in stockinette stitch for 10 rows and bind off.

Assembling:

To assemble with piping, use a double strand of the contrasting color (this means 4 strands if you are using Cascade 220) and a size K crochet hook. Pick up one stitch from each side as you work in single crochet around all the seams. Do not join the two top pieces together, this is where the zipper will go.

I-Cord Handles (optional; make 2):

If you don't want to use store-bought handles, you can make them out of i-cord.

With CC and smaller needles, cast on 6 stitches and make an i -cord that is 18 inches long. Before binding off, take a crochet hook and pick up the ladder in the back as if you had dropped a stitch all the way down the cord. (You are creating a new column of stitches, making a much neater, 7-stitch i-cord.)

Place i-cord handles after the bag has been seamed but before felting. Locate the center stitch on the top, count seven to each side and push the I-cord through the knit fabric a couple stitches away from the seam. Take a tapestry needle and join the ends of the I-cord together. Repeat on the other side for the second handle.

Stripes:

Stripes can be knitted or needle felted.

To needle felt: place roving where desired and jab repeatedly with a felting needle. This is not like a regular needle, it is barbed, which creates a very painful stab. Be sure not to stab yourself (unless you're into that sort of thing) and don't share needles with others!

To knit: With smaller needles, cast on 5.

Row 1: k1, p3, k1
Row 2: p1, k3, p1

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the desired length is reached. Bind off. Felt the stripes with the bag and sew on after felting for an authentic bowling bag look.

Felting (Fulling):

Put the bag and stripes in the washing machine on a hot water, high agitation cycle. You may want to secure the bag inside a pillowcase to keep the fuzzies out of your washer. Add a small amount of laundry soap or wool wash. Repeat this until the bag is felted to the desired size. Shape it using towels or grocery bags and allow it to dry. Once the bag is dry you can add the embellishments.

Zipper:

Robyn Wade (photo)
click image to enlarge

Attach zipper after felting and once the bag is completely dry. Choose a zipper that is between 12 and 14 inches. Center the zipper between the top pieces. With a needle and thread matching the main color sew the zipper to each side and seam any remaining space on the sides. Also, if you are using store-bought handles, you can attach them now.

Monogram:

If you want to add a monogram you can do it after the bag is felted by needle felting. Cut a couple feet of contrasting color and separate out a single ply. Place this ply on the bag in the shape of the name or initials you want. Jab at this ply repeatedly with a felting needle. (See our warnings about felting needles under Stripes, above.)

About

contact Sarah and Robyn • http://www.rebellegirls.com • legal info