Felted Snowflake Tote Bag Knitting Pattern

Felted Snowflake Tote Bag Knitting Pattern

What Is Being Made

The Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool Felted Snowflake Tote (Pattern Number 80303AD) is a festive knitted tote bag designed for versatile use. After felting, the finished bag measures 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide by 14.5 inches (37 cm) tall by 6 inches (15 cm) deep. The felting process creates a durable, structured fabric suitable for everyday carrying, whether as a purse, grocery bag, or storage container for knitting and crochet supplies.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs the felting technique as its primary construction method. Felting transforms the knitted fabric into a dense, sturdy material that provides both strength and structure to the finished tote. The pattern also incorporates the 3-Needle Bind Off technique for joining pieces together securely. The project is rated at an Experienced skill level, indicating that knitters should have solid foundational knowledge before attempting this design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the tote construction is Stockinette stitch, worked as knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side. This classic stitch creates a smooth, even fabric that felts effectively. The pattern involves repeating rows in sequence to build the bag's sides, with specific row repeats worked multiple times to achieve the desired dimensions before felting.

Materials and Yarn

The tote is crafted using Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool Yarn, a natural fiber choice ideal for felting projects. The pattern calls for two color options: Natural (1 ball) and Nature's Brown (1 ball), with yarn worked using 2 strands held together. The gauge is 14 stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch before felting, though the pattern notes that exact gauge is not essential for this project.

Tools and Notions

• Lion Brand Knitting Needles, Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) for primary construction
• Spare needle Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) or smaller for finishing
• Lion Brand Stitch Holders for managing active stitches
• Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6) for weaving in yarn ends
• Grosgrain ribbon, 1.5 inches (3.5 cm) wide (1 yard) for reinforcement or trim
• Sewing needle and thread for attaching ribbon
• Template plastic or plastic canvas (6 x 12 inches, optional) for bag structure support

Pattern Structure

The tote is constructed by knitting two identical sides, with each side requiring rows 1-13 to be repeated 10-13 times, followed by rows 10-11 repeated once more. This repetitive structure creates the height and width needed for the finished bag. The sides are then joined using the 3-Needle Bind Off technique, creating a seamless, durable connection that withstands the felting process and subsequent use.