Sirdar Backstage Pass Bag Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Backstage Pass Bag

What Is Being Made

The Sirdar Backstage Pass Bag is an intermediate-level knitted accessory designed as a practical everyday bag. This single-size design measures approximately 29.5 x 35 cm (11¾ x 13¾ inches), making it a compact yet functional piece perfect for carrying essentials. The bag features a structured construction with a flap closure secured by a popper fastener, and decorative tassels that add visual interest to the finished piece.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several key techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The construction includes eyelet holes worked at the top of the bag, which serve both functional and decorative purposes. The pattern incorporates increases worked at each end of alternating rows to shape the bag sections, demonstrating shaping fundamentals. The design also features tassel construction, as indicated by the tassel diagram provided in the pattern, adding a fashionable embellishment. Assembly techniques are required to join sections and attach the flap centrally to the back of the bag.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout this design is garter stitch, which creates a textured, reversible fabric with excellent structure—ideal for a bag that requires durability and shape retention. Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, making it an accessible choice for intermediate knitters while still producing professional results. The pattern also incorporates eyelet stitches at the top edge, which are created through yarn overs and decreases to form decorative holes.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern is designed to be worked with Sirdar Stories Double Knitting (DK) yarn, a cotton-rich acrylic blend that offers comfort and breathability while maintaining excellent shape retention. The yarn weight is DK (light worsted), and the pattern requires four coordinating shades from the Sirdar Stories collection:

• Yarn A: Shade 824 Skinny Dip (2 balls, 50g each)
• Yarn B: Shade 808 Date Night (2 balls, 50g each)
• Yarn C: Shade 810 Spicy (1 ball, 50g)
• Yarn D: Shade 800 Henna (1 ball, 50g)

The recommended needle size is 4mm (UK 8 / USA 6) knitting needles. The pattern specifies one pair of standard 4mm needles for the main fabric and one set of 4mm double-pointed needles for smaller sections such as tassels or edgings. The working tension is 21 stitches over 10 cm (4 inches) in garter stitch on 4mm needles, which should be checked before beginning to ensure proper finished dimensions.

Additional notions required include 1 popper fastener for the bag closure, providing a secure and neat fastening solution. The multi-color yarn selection creates visual interest and allows crafters to experiment with color blocking, reflecting current fashion trends in knitted accessories.

Design Inspiration and Context

The Sirdar Backstage Pass Bag is part of the Sirdar Festival collection, a range created to bring crochet-inspired aesthetics to knitting. This design appeals to knitters seeking fashionable, contemporary accessories with texture and visual appeal. The cotton-rich yarn composition makes it particularly suitable for warm-weather use, while the structured garter stitch ensures the bag maintains its shape through regular use.