Valley Yarns #183 Bless Your Sol Tote Bag

Valley Yarns Bless Your Sol Tote Bag

What Is Being Made

The Bless Your Sol Tote Bag is a woven beach-inspired carryall designed by Elisabeth Hill. This finished tote measures 17 inches wide by 13 inches high by 4.5 inches deep, offering practical storage with a cheerful aesthetic. The design captures the warmth and fun of a day at the beach, making it an ideal accessory for warm-weather outings or as a gift for beach lovers.

Weaving Structure and Techniques

This project uses a plain weave structure, the most fundamental and versatile weaving technique. The fabric is created on a 4-shaft loom at least 20 inches wide, with a warp length of 3.5 yards containing 360 ends. The sett is 20 ends per inch (epi), achieved using a 10-dent reed with 2 dents per thread, producing a finished weaving width of 18 inches. Weavers work from a single shuttle and bobbin to create the fabric.

The design incorporates striped patterning through strategic color placement in the warp. The warp color order alternates between two colors of Valley Yarns 3/2 Cotton, with Color A comprising 1473 yards and Color B comprising 560 yards. Three colorway options are provided: a yellow bag using Banana and Autumn Blonde, a navy bag using Ink Blue and Autumn Blonde, or a pink bag using Azalea Pink and Dark Cheddar. Weavers maintain a consistent pick density of 12–13 picks per inch (ppi) throughout the 104-inch weaving length.

Finishing and Assembly Techniques

After weaving, the fabric requires careful finishing to prepare it for assembly. Raw edges are secured using either a zigzag stitch or serging. The woven fabric is then machine washed and tumble dried until damp, then pressed on a cotton setting to set the weave and prepare the material for cutting and construction.

Assembly involves seaming the woven fabric with quilting fabric lining. Approximately 1 yard of quilting fabric is required for the lining, along with matching sewing thread. The bag is constructed using 20-inch purse handles to complete the finished tote.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for Valley Yarns 3/2 Cotton, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn available in multiple colors. The yarn yields 1260 yards per pound, providing excellent drape and durability for a functional tote bag. Mercerized cotton offers enhanced luster, strength, and color vibrancy, making it ideal for both the structural warp and weft components of this project.

Equipment Requirements

• 4-shaft loom, minimum 20 inches wide
• 1 shuttle and 1 bobbin
• 10-dent reed for 20 epi sett
• Approximately 1 yard quilting fabric for lining
• Matching sewing thread
• 20-inch purse handles

Skill Level and Appeal

Described as easy-to-weave and sew, this project is accessible to weavers with basic loom experience. The plain weave structure requires no complex threading or treadling sequences, while the straightforward color striping creates visual interest without demanding advanced patterning skills. The combination of weaving and simple sewing construction makes this an excellent project for weavers seeking to expand into finished goods production.