Handmade reversible knitting bag

Want to be able to take your knitting outside with you? Then this knitting bag will be perfect for you. It has a single handle that you can throw over your arm, that way, you can even walk and knit. I’ve written the instructions down step by step so you can easily follow along and make your very own.

It is a reversible bag, so you can use different coloured fabrics, so your knitting bag can match your outfit or yarn. The bottom of the bag is also a separate piece of fabric, so if you know you’re going to put it on dirty or wet surfaces, you could use waterproof fabric for this.

Pockets

If you want, you can add some pockets, or you can leave them out if you don’t like them. I quite like having an extra pocket in case I want to put my phone in there. I also always have my sock project in there, and my main knitting project in the bag itself. 

Cutting guide:

Cut everything twice, once for the “outside” colour and once for the “inside” colour.
The pieces have a 1,5 cm seam allowance.

Bag pieces:
main piece 35 cm by 80 cm
bottom piece 35 cm by 30 cm

Pocket pieces:
main piece 16 cm by 21 cm
flap piece 18 cm by 15 cm

Instructions for the knitting bag:

Cut main piece strap:

Cut out all the pieces that I’ve mentioned above.

Fold your main pieces double lengthwise, then add the fold find the middle. 

Measure and mark 3,5 cm from the middle towards the side, do this on both sides of the middle, now your strap should be 7 cm wide.

Then measure and mark 18 cm from the outsides of the folded side down.

Draw a curved line from your strap mark to your mark lower down, do this for both sides of the strap. If you want, you can pin the fabric together if that makes you feel more secure.

Once you’re happy with the curve and symmetry of your strap, you can cut it out.

Now start with your inside fabric pieces:

Pin the bottom piece onto the main piece on both sides, so that you have a big loop. 

If your fabric has a good side and a wrong side make sure to lay the good sides together.

Then press and sew the seams, if you don’t want to press your seems you don’t have to.

Taking care to not also pin and then sew the strap or top of your piece, pin the sides of your bag together.

Then also press and sew these seams together.

You should now have a bag, it is, of course, unfinished, but you can now see that it is a bag.

For the outside of your bag, repeat the same steps as you did for the inside of your bag. 

I recommend to first do the inside, so that any errors you might make the first time around won’t be as visible, had you made those errors on the more visible side of your bag.

Adding pockets (optional):


If you haven’t already, cut out the pieces for the pockets. You can have 1 for your entire bag, or like I did one on each side. Heck, if you want more pockets, then just add more pockets, it’s your bag after all.

Fold and press the seams for your main pocket piece, fold them twice so that the edge is hidden. For a nicer finish, make the top seam 1,5 cm wide.

Pin the main pocket piece onto the middle of the bag, approximately 10 cm from the bottom. When happy with the placement, sew in place.

Fold and press your flap piece in half so that it measures 18 cm by 7,5 cm.

Fold your seams once, so that they are all hidden on the inside. And press them so that they stay in place.

Open the flap and pin the flap along the folded line, to the bag. About 2 cm above the top of the pocket. Sew along the folded line of the flap.

Then close the flap again, taking care that the seams match up. Pin the seams together and sew around the edges of the pocket flap.

You should now have a made a pocket with a flap, if you want, you could even add some buttons.

Putting the knitting bag together:

By now you should have basically two bags that are both unfinished.
You will want to put them wrong sides together, the inside bag inside the outside bag.

Fold the edges once and lay the outside and inside bags seams on top of each other. Press the seams of the handle together as you go, so that the seams will stay in place.

Once the pieces are properly aligned pin them together. The inside of the bag is now connected to outside of the bag.

When you’re happy with your seams, sew them together.

Et voila, you can now go out and knit, while you have your handmade bag to carry your knitting project.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that you will be very happy with your newly made knitting bag. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments or message me on Ravelry.

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