Cable Knitting Bag Pattern
Looking for a simple knit bag for your capsule wardrobe? Love knitted bag patterns? How about knitting a simple cable knit bag to carry? I love to have several handmade bags to choose from when I need a small accessory. Soft knitted handbags come to the rescue to add a pretty & practical bag! Today I have a simple and FREE knit bag pattern for you that has a cable stitch pattern on the flap. It is a messenger bag with a softer appeal!
Keep reading to learn how to knit a bag using a classic cable stitch pattern for the flap. Use your favorite yarn color for the bag, then add a macrame cord strap, or perhaps a clip-on leather strap for carrying. Add this to your list of favorite easy knitting projects!
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Knitting Bag Pattern Free
The idea behind this knit bag pattern is to work in straight rows, to create one long rectangle. Part of the sides will be seamed together to create the bag, while the cable stitch pattern creates the flap. You will use BASIC KNIT STITCHES, as well as a special cable stitch pattern for the knit bag
The following is a list of supplies you would need to create one knit bag. Use similar yarn (size 4, Medium weight yarn) and the same knitting needle size to make your own.
Supplies
- 1 skein of Lion Brand Pound of Love (1020 yds per skein)
- size 10 (6mm) needles, straight
- cable needle
- 50” of Macrame Cord
- Optional: crochet bead
- Optional: needle & coordinating thread to sew bead
Crochet Beads
Cable Needle
Straight Knitting Needles (various sizes)
Lion Brand Pound of Love Yarn
4mm Macrame Cord
Knitting Notions
Knitting Abbreviations
approx – approximately
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
pm – place marker
sm – stitch marker
sts – stitches
Rep – repeat
RS – Right Side
WS – Wrong Side
Special Stitches in pattern:
c8b : Slip next 4 sts from left needle to cable needle, place cable needle in back of work, knit next 4 sts from left needle, then knit the 4 sts from cable needle.
c8f : Slip next 4 sts from left needle to cable needle, place cable needle in front of work, knit next 4 sts from left needle, then knit the 4 sts from cable needle.
PATTERN INFORMATION
The FREE simple bag knitting pattern is provided below.
- but you can also get the ad-free, printable pdf pattern for the KNIT MESSENGER BAG in the SHOP! The pdf has some helpful photos included.
How to Knit a Bag
Can a beginner knit a bag?
Yes! Especially with a repetitive easy stitch pattern using basic knit stitches and simple techniques! This pattern has an Intermediate skill level, but an advanced beginner can give it a try. The special cable stitches are simple to master, and the overall pattern is very repetitive. Save it to your list of beginner knitting projects when you’re ready to learn cable stitches.
Here I will walk you through each step of this modern Knitting Bag Diy, using your favorite yarn color.
Finished Measurements:
- Measurements are for finished, seamed, & blocked bag (without strap)
Width : 10 inches
Length : 7 inches
Gauge: 4″ (10cm) square = approx. 16 sts by 20 Rows, blocked (not critical)
FREE Knitting Bag Pattern
NOTES –
You will be knitting the bag in rows to form one long rectangle. Then you will seam together the sides to create the bag portion with cable stitches on the flap.
Cable Stitch Pattern (flap of bag)
With size 10 needles, CO 40 sts with size 4 yarn.
Customize → if you would like to adjust the width of the bag, then cast on an even number of sts more than 22.
(Just be sure to allow for more yarn if needed)
Base Rows:
Work 2 rows in stockinette stitch (knit first row, purl second row).
When working the first row, place a stitch marker after the first 10 sts, then another one after the next 20 sts.
These two stitch markers will set apart the cable stitch pattern worked on the middle 20 sts.
(If you cast on more/less than 40 sts, then use the 2 stitch markers to surround the middle 20 sts)
Cable Stitch Repeat Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): K to first sm, p2, k16, p2, k to end.
Row 2: P to first sm, k2, p16, k2, p to end.
Row 3: K to first sm, p2, c8b, c8f, p2, k to end.
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rows 5-8: Rep Rows 1-2 twice more.
Rep Rows 1-8 three more times.
Stockinette Stitch Pattern – Main Bag
Main Bag Rows:
Continue by working in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl next row) for the remainder of the bag, until entire piece measures approx 20” length (or your desired length).
End with a purl row.
Bind off knitwise.
Finishing/Blocking
Block piece into a rectangle with your desired width and length (approx 10″ width by 20″ length).
At this point, you can optionally sew a fabric liner to the WS of the main bag rows if desired.
Fold the main bag rows WS together for seaming.
Tip → Pin the WS together before seaming (you can use locking stitch markers for this).
Seam Sides:
Using a tapestry needle and your yarn, work an invisible vertical seam to join the two side edges of the bag WS together.
Weave in all loose ends to WS.
Add Bag Strap:
Cut 50″ of macrame cord or your desired length.
Sew ends of macrame cord to inside top corners of bag.
You can optionally ‘fringe’ the ends of the cord as I did.
Alternatively, you can clip a leather purse strap to the top corners of the bag.
Add Optional Fastener:
Cut a few inches of macrame cord.
Sew ends of macrame cord together at center edge on WS of flap (center of cable stitch pattern).
Sew a crochet bead or button to the front bottom center of bag.
Fasten macrame cord loop to the bead/button to secure the flap.
Important Tips for Knitting your Messenger Bag
Some things to keep in mind as you work the cable bag knit pattern are:
- For the pattern repeat, the RS is worked on odd-numbered rows.
- Be sure to use stitch markers to mark where to begin & end the cable stitch pattern.
- Feel free to adjust size as follows:
- cast on more/less sts to adjust width; must be an even # more than 22
- work more/less rows to adjust length
Cable Knit Bag
The soft hand knit bag makes a great accessory in the warmer months, and fits right in with a classic capsule wardrobe. The cable stitch design of this bag is timeless, and with the macrame cord strap and sweet crochet button closure – you’re bound to get compliments from making this beautiful pattern. It will be your go-to bag for quick errands!
Don’t forget that this knitting bag pattern is also available in an ad-free digital pdf pattern. The pdf has a few helpful photos and diagrams. Grab the BAG KNIT PATTERN pattern in my shop.
Love knit bag patterns? Check out these other FREE knit projects…
Did you enjoy this free knitting pattern? I think it’s also a perfect idea to make as a gift for a friend who loves handmade bags. The knitted purse works up easily and quickly and will become one of your favorite small knitting projects.
Check out all of my FREE KNIT PATTERNS HERE.
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