Emerald string bag

I've really got interested in designing knitted items! This is the second knitting pattern I publish. I'd appreciate any comments / test knitting reports!

Emerald string bag

A handy bag for groceries, yarn, or to use as a swimgear bag on the beach. The bag comes in two sizes, the bigger one is really big and might not be suitable as a farmers' market bag (if you fill it with frut and veg, it will become really heavy, because the bag is very spacious!). The pictured bag is the bigger one.

The bags are designed to be carried either in the hand, or over the shoulder. See the pattern after the "Tell me more" button. 

Note: I offer this pattern for free for personal use - you may not sell this pattern or the bags you knit using it (ask me about charity). Please consider my stitch markers or Worsted Knitt's Shirts and Bags when planning on getting some knitting gear!

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Emerald string bag

Needed:

Needles: 3,5 mm / US 4 cicrular needles (80 cm)
15 mm / US 19 circular needle (80 cm)

Yarn: for the big one ca. 100g / 3,6 oz, or ca. 270 m / 300 yards cotton yarn with a recommended needle size ca 2-3 mm (US 1-2,5). The smaller one will also need more than one ball of yarn. I used "Doris Garne Coton Briliante", a 100% mercerised cotton with a recommended needle size 2mm. This yarn is vintage and not available anymore - but any cotton in this size range will do.

Gauge in garter stitch: 16 st x 24 rows in 10 cm x 10 cm (4 x 4 inch) area with 3,5 mm / US 4 needles, or whatever gives you gauge.

Pattern: 

The number in bracets gives the details for the small bag, the latter number for the big bag. 

CO (30) 40 stitches, do not join but work flat in garter stitch (K every row), until you have a square (ca. (45) 60 rows). End with a WS row.

Place marker at the end of the last row, and pick up (22)34 stitches from the first side, (30)40 st from the CO edge, and (22)34 from the second side = (104) 148 stitches. Now join to start working in the round. Also change to the bigger needles: knit the stitches from the small needle to the bigger one.

Using the big needles, K every round (stockinette) for (25) 29 cm / (10)11,5 inches.
Change back to smaller needles (knit the stitches from the big one to the small circular). Work in stockinette for a further (5) 5 cm / (2)2 inches.

Forming the handle:

Bind off (42)60 - k (10)14 and place these on a holder - bind off (42)60 - k (10) 14.
Continue with these (10) 14 stitches. Working flat, work in garter stitch until the handle is 14 cm / 7 inches long. Finish it with a purl row. Join with the 14 stitches on the other side of the bag using kitchener stitch.

Sew in all  ends well - especially the bound-off ends need to be fastened well, or the bag will start to unravel.  Enjoy your bag, and don't forget to post it on Ravelry.