Market Bag Knit-along #4 - Stitches & Selvedges

We have now reached the point in this Tutorial/Knit‐along series where we can actually start knitting our BYOB Market Bag!

And if you have missed any of the three preceding posts in this series, please click here to read the first one, “Pre‐washing your yarns” and then follow the links at the bottom of each page to get back to this point.

Stitch Patterns

The base and lower section of the bag features Seed Stitch, which is an easy‐to‐work pattern giving a firm finish and attractive texture. I have to say I love this stitch. It's one my favourite "Zen" stitch patterns, where it is possible to totally immerse myself in an audiobook or watch a movie while productively knitting away.

However, you can choose any stitch pattern that you like as long as it is fairly firm. It is surprising how different you can make something look with only a small change such as this!]

I chose Seed Stitch from our Reversible Knitting Stitches book but if you would prefer another stitch, then have a browse through that and you’d be sure to find something. For example a good alternative would be Double Moss Stitch shown in the photo above, but you decide what you'd like for your bag.
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You will need to work a tension swatch in the pattern of your choice and also make sure that the number of stitches is right for your pattern repeat. Seed Stitch, for example, has a repeat of 2 sts +1 but if your pattern has a different repeat then you would need to adjust the number of stitches to allow for that.

Selvedges

Selvedges [also spelled Selvages] are worked at each side of the knitting to give a neat edge from which stitches can later be picked up. The instructions in the pattern use the "English Selvedge" which is to knit the first and last stitch on all the Right Side rows, and then slip them on all the Wrong Side rows. The slipped stitches are worked without twisting (ie slip as if to purl).

This gives a neat series of slightly‐elongated knit stitches on the edge of the fabric as you can see in the photo above. When you are ready to pick up the stitches along this edge, it is easy to insert the knitting needle into the spaces between as the selvedge stitches are only worked on every other row.

Of course, if you have another favourite way of working your selvedges, then please do feel free to use that instead. As long as you have a neat edge, then it doesn't matter which method you use.

How many stitches?

The BYOB Market Bag has a neat rectangular base which is perfect for carrying around at a Farmers' Market. Have a look at the pattern and see if you like the dimensions that I have worked or if you would like something a little different.

If you wish to work a different sized base, or if your gauge is different from the pattern, then you may well need to cast on a few more stitches than I have suggested or a few less. So have a quick think before starting to make sure this first part of the bag is right for you.

And so to the bag . . .

Although the base is worked flat, it is a good idea to use circular needles at this point as they will be needed once we start working up the side. Also, I suggest that you start with needles which are at least 80cm/32 ins long as we will need the extra length when we come to picking up the stitches for the sides (more on this next time).

So, using the Provisional Cast‐On method of your choice and Waste Yarn, follow the instructions in the pattern for working the base of your new bag. 

See you next time once you have your base knitted!

Happy Knitting!
​
Moira

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 For information about any of the patterns featured here or our
Reversible Knitting Stitches book, ​please click the Patterns tab above.

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Next up: Market Bag Knit‐along #5 ‐ Picking up stitches  --->