Simple color-patterned pouch

Working color patterns in knitting is not as hard as it looks. This project uses the same size yarn and needles as the striped pouch: in this case, about 40 yards of the color you use the most, and 10 to 20 yards each of three or more other colors.
Cast on 60 stitches (for either of the first two charts) or 72 sts (for the third chart) with your main color, and join to form a round.

Use any of the charts provided here, or patterns of your choice. If you’re feeling adventurous, the HistoricKnit mailing list on Yahoo! has several folders of patterns in its Files section. You can use the chart’s colors or pick your own. If you use white or cream-colored yarn, it can either be wool, or cotton yarn such as “Sugar’n’Cream”.



Knit about an inch plain with the main color, then follow the chart, starting at the bottom.



The key to successful color knitting is not to pull the yarn too tight when you are changing colors. The “floats” or strands of the yarn you’re not using should lie a little loosely along the back of the knitting. If you need to, you can tighten up stitches that are too loose, but you can’t loosen them if they’re too tight.



After the last row of your chart, continue in your main color for another half inch or so.

OPTIONAL: If you want to add eyelets for the drawstrings (which are a modern concept), knit one round of (K3, YO, K2tog) here.

Knit 2 more rounds plain and bind off. Darn in any loose ends of color on the inside of the pouch (if you haven’t done it as you go).

Finishing

When finished, flatten the cylinder of knitting and overcast the two sides to­gether at the bottom with a large needle and a strand of the same yarn (going once through each front & back stitch).

Braid, weave, or twist a carrying strap from leftover yarn (or any other yarn you like). Sew it neatly onto the top of the bag at two opposite points. You can also make a longer cord and attach it down the sides of the bag, as shown for the "hearts" pouch.

Cut or make two drawstrings — they work better if they are not wool. Shoe­laces, smooth cotton string, and braided cotton embroidery thread work well. Thread both drawstrings in and out between the stitches in the third row from the top of the bag, or through the eyelets if you made those. Knot the two ends of each drawstring together. Pull one drawstring from each side to close the bag.

Decoration: Simple bags like this often show up in medieval paintings with three to five tassels along the bottom. These can be made out of leftover yarn.

Charts

(click for larger versions)