Gardiner Yarn Works Cable That Bag! Knitting Pattern

Gardiner Yarn Works Cable That Bag!

Project Overview

Cable That Bag! is a small drawstring knit bag designed by Chrissy Gardiner, perfect for use as a project bag, gift pouch, or evening accessory. This intermediate-level knitting pattern combines decorative cable work with a practical drawstring closure, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to practice cable techniques on a manageable scale.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a finished bag measuring approximately 5.5" wide by 4.5" deep by 9" tall. The bag features a structured base constructed using garter stitch, with a body showcasing two distinct cable panel designs: an XO Cable Panel and a Celtic Braid Panel. The drawstring closure allows for secure gathering of the bag opening, making it functional for carrying small items.

Construction Techniques

Cable That Bag! employs a bottom-up, seamless construction worked in the round, which eliminates the need for seaming and creates a polished finished product. The pattern begins with a flat garter stitch base worked back-and-forth on straight needles, establishing the foundation of the bag. Stitches are then picked up along three sides of this rectangular base and transferred to double-pointed needles to continue working in the round for the bag body. This hybrid approach—combining flat and circular knitting—demonstrates an efficient construction method that provides both structural stability and ease of execution.

Cable and Stitch Techniques

The bag body showcases two featured cable panels that repeat throughout the design:

• XO Cable Panel: Worked across needles 1 and 3, this panel features a classic cable motif that creates visual interest and texture
• Celtic Braid Panel: Worked across needles 2 and 4, this panel adds complexity and traditional Celtic-inspired design elements

Both panels are worked over 16 rounds and repeat twice during the bag body construction, allowing knitters to develop proficiency with cable techniques. The pattern uses a cable needle to manipulate stitches and create the twisted, braided effects characteristic of cable knitting. Additional shaping occurs in the early rounds of the bag body through strategic increases using the knit-front-and-back method, which expands the circumference from 80 stitches to 104 stitches to accommodate the widening shape of the bag.

Materials and Gauge

Cable That Bag! calls for worsted-weight yarn, with the sample shown knit in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Cranberry, requiring approximately 150 yards total. The pattern recommends size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (a set of 5) or long double-pointed needles for working in the round, with optional size 7 straight needles for the initial base. Additional tools include a cable needle for cable work, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and a yarn needle for finishing.

The stated gauge is 20 stitches and 24 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, though the pattern notes that gauge is not critical for this project, making it accessible for knitters still developing consistent tension. Stitch markers are essential for managing the four separate cable panels across the four needles used in circular knitting.

Difficulty Level

Rated as an intermediate project, Cable That Bag! requires familiarity with cable techniques and circular knitting, but the relatively small scale and straightforward panel repeats make it an excellent stepping stone for knitters advancing their cable skills.