Universal Yarn Striped Tote Bag Knitting Pattern

Universal Yarn Striped Tote

What Is Being Made

The Universal Yarn Striped Tote is a structured cotton knit handbag designed for everyday carry. This project creates a spacious rectangular tote with a square bottom base measuring 11 inches wide by 5 inches deep, with a finished height of 10 inches. The tote features a lined interior with fusible stabilizer for durability and includes leather handles and hardware for a polished, finished look.

Construction Method and Techniques

This tote is worked flat from the bottom up, meaning knitting begins at the base and progresses upward toward the top opening. The bag is constructed in two separate pieces that are later seamed together to form the finished tote. The pattern incorporates strategic increases worked every 8 rows to expand the side panels, creating the dimensional shape needed for a functional carryall. The bottom corners are sewn using a specific corner-joining technique to create the square base structure.

The design emphasizes horizontal stripes created through color changes worked in stockinette stitch. A center stitch is slipped throughout the piece to maintain a clean vertical line down the middle of the tote, adding visual interest and structural definition. The finished pieces are blocked to precise measurements before assembly, ensuring professional results.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout this project is stockinette stitch (St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a knit side and purl side. Make one (m1) increases are used to shape the side panels, while slip stitch (sl 1 pwise wyib) is employed to create a decorative center line. Knit through the back loop (ktbl) techniques may be used for edge definition. The pattern includes standard bind-off finishing to secure stitches at the top edge.

Materials and Tools

This project uses Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme, a 100% cotton yarn that provides structure, breathability, and durability ideal for a tote bag. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles, creating a fabric with appropriate weight and drape for a functional bag.

The color palette includes five coordinating shades of Cotton Supreme:

• 502 White (Main Color) – 1 hank (100g/180 yards)
• 631 Fossil (Contrast Color 1) – 1 hank
• 509 Red (Contrast Color 2) – 1 hank
• 628 Super Pink (Contrast Color 3) – 1 hank
• 625 Apricot (Contrast Color 4) – 1 hank

Additional materials required include a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, lining fabric and fusible stabilizer for the interior, sewing needle and thread for attaching the lining, a 24-inch Newport leather purse handle in Chocolate color, and two 1½-inch O-rings for hardware attachment. These components transform the knit pieces into a professional, structured accessory.

Stripe Pattern Details

The tote features a carefully planned color-work sequence that creates visual interest without the complexity of stranded colorwork. The stripe pattern alternates between the main color (White) and the four contrast colors in a repeating sequence, with varying row counts for each color section. This creates a balanced, rhythmic striped effect that showcases the range of colors in the Cotton Supreme palette while maintaining the simplicity of single-color stockinette stitch rows.