SIZE

Approx: 36cm (14in) x 47cm (18.5in)

YOU WILL NEED

King Cole Merino Blend Aran, 100% pure new wool (80m per 50g)

2 x 50g balls in 777 Claret (A)

1 x 50g ball in 855 Mustard (B)

1 x 50g ball in 1538 Raspberry (C)

1 x 50g ball in 771 Kingfisher (D)

1 x 50g ball in 897 Parchment (E)

1 pair of 5mm knitting needles

1 x 5mm circular needle 60cm (23.75in)

long Stitch marker

Spare needle or stitch holder

1 pair wooden handles

Note: Yarn amounts given are based on average requirements and are approximate.

TENSION

18 sts and 25 rows to 10cm (4in) over st st on 5mm needles.

Use larger or smaller needles if necessary to obtain correct tension.

CARPET BAG

The bag is worked from the top down.

Handle flaps

*Using 5mm needles and A, cast on 33 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Rep last 2 rows 5 times more.

Next row (inc): K1, *inc in nextst, k1; rep from * to end of row (49 sts).

Work 5 rows in st st.

Next row (inc): K1, *inc in next st, k1; rep from * to end of row (73 sts).

Next row: Purl. **

Break yarn and place these sts on a holder.

Rep from * to ** once more.

Change to circular needle.

Joining round: Knit to last st on needle, knit next st and first st on holder tog; knit to last st on holder, knit next st and first st of new round tog. Place marker to denote beg of round (144 sts). Joining in and breaking off colours as required, and working in st st throughout, work next 11 rounds from Chart A.

Work 2 rounds in A.

Inc round: *K8, inc in next st; rep from * to end of round (160 sts).

Work 1 round in A.

Joining in and breaking off colours as required, work next 17 rounds from Chart B. Work 1 round in A.

Inc round: * K19, inc in next st; rep from * to end of round (168 sts). Work 2 rounds in A.

Joining in and breaking off colours as required, work next 12 rounds from Chart C. Work 1 round in A.

Dec round: *K12, ssk; rep from * to end of round (156 sts). Work 2 rounds in A.

Dec round: *K11, ssk; rep from * to end of round (144 sts). Work 1 round in A.

Joining in and breaking off colours as required, work next 15 rounds from Chart D. Work 3 rounds in A. Cast off.

TO FINISH OFF

Weave in any loose ends and block according to ball band instructions.

Turn work inside out and slot handle flaps through slit on wooden bag handle.

Slip stitch into place.

Join base seam using backstitch or mattress st if preferred.