Berroco Caf? Bag Knitting Pattern

Berroco Café Knitted Bag

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Café is a structured knitted handbag designed by Donna Yacino. This intermediate-level project creates a finished bag measuring approximately 18 inches wide by 17 inches high, not including the straps. The bag features a strap drop of approximately 7 inches, making it a versatile shoulder or hand-carry bag suitable for everyday use.

Construction Techniques

The Café bag employs a combination of knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure. The back and front panels are worked flat in two separate sections using a bottom-up construction method, which allows the knitter to build the bag from the cast-on edge upward. After the flat pieces are completed, side seams are sewn together to join the back and front panels. The top band is then worked in the round using circular needles, creating a finished edge and incorporating the strap attachment points. This mixed approach of flat and in-the-round knitting combines the ease of flat construction with the seamless finish of circular knitting where appropriate.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Café bag is a decorative Pattern Stitch that creates visual interest and texture. The Pattern Stitch is worked as follows: Row 1: *K2, [yo, pass last stitch on right-hand needle over yo] twice, repeat from * across. This row is repeated throughout the pattern to create the fabric. The Pattern Stitch combines knit stitches with yarn overs and decreases (created by passing stitches over yarn overs), producing an openwork or lace-like effect depending on yarn weight and tension. Additional stitches used in the top band include purl stitches (p1), slip stitches worked with yarn in front (sl 1 wyif), and make one increases (M1 and M1p), which are used to shape the top band during the joining round.

Materials

The Café bag is designed to be knitted with Berroco Regatta yarn, a durable yarn choice for bag construction. The pattern calls for 3 balls of Berroco Regatta in colorway #9575 Skipper, with each ball weighing 100 grams. The needles required include a 29-inch circular needle in size 9 (5.50 mm) or the size needed to obtain proper gauge, plus a spare needle in size 9 (5.50 mm) or smaller for holding stitches. The recommended gauge is 12 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches when worked in the Pattern Stitch, and checking gauge before beginning is strongly recommended to ensure the finished bag meets the intended dimensions.

Skill Level and Finishing

This project is rated at Intermediate skill level, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The finishing process includes seaming the side panels together and working a joining round that increases stitches to create the top band. The pattern notes indicate that straps are made separately, though the complete strap instructions are referenced in the full pattern document.