Berroco Sorreia Bag Knitting Pattern

Berroco Sorreia Knit Bag

Project Overview

The Sorreia is an intermediate-level knit bag designed by Donna Yacino, featured in Berroco Booklet #405. This finished accessory measures approximately 9 inches wide by 8 inches tall (excluding the strap), making it a practical yet decorative carryall. The bag showcases beautiful lace detailing combined with textured purl sections, creating visual interest and dimension.

Construction Technique

This bag is worked in the round from the bottom up using a circular needle, which creates a seamless construction for the body. The pattern includes seaming elements and features an optional strap that can be worked on double-pointed needles or a circular needle, depending on knitter preference. The bottom-up construction method allows knitters to try on and adjust fit as they progress upward through the pattern.

Lace and Stitch Details

The Sorreia features an intricate lace pattern that repeats throughout the bag. The stitch pattern combines multiple techniques including yarn overs (yo), knit two together decreases (k2tog), slip-slip-knit decreases (SSK), and twisted stitches (k1tbl) to create openwork sections. Purl stitches (p5) are worked between lace motifs to provide textural contrast. The pattern note indicates that 2 strands of yarn are worked together throughout, which adds body and durability to the finished piece while creating a more substantial fabric weight.

The stitch count varies from round to round due to the nature of the lace pattern, with increases and decreases creating the openwork design. Knitters begin with 90 cast-on stitches and work through multiple pattern rounds, with stitch counts reaching 126 stitches at certain points before decreasing again as the pattern repeats.

Yarn and Materials

The Sorreia is designed to be worked with Berroco Linen Stonewash yarn. The pattern calls for 3 balls of this yarn in colorway #7356 Scarlet, with each ball weighing 50 grams. Linen Stonewash is a linen-based yarn that provides a natural, breathable quality ideal for bags and warm-weather accessories.

Required needles include a 16-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.50 mm) for the main bag construction, plus 2 double-pointed needles in the same size for the optional strap. Additional notions include 1 stitch marker for marking the beginning of rounds and waste yarn for holding stitches.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern gauge is 40 stitches and 25 rounds equal 4 inches when worked in the lace pattern stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements, and knitters are advised to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure accurate sizing and proper fabric drape.

Skill Level and Construction Notes

Rated as an intermediate skill level, this pattern requires familiarity with working in the round, reading stitch charts or written instructions, managing yarn overs and decreases, and understanding how lace patterns create intentional stitch count variations. The pattern provides both charted and written instructions, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern.