- 1). Choose a yarn for your knitting project. Natural fiber yarns work best to create a long-lasting piece with more flexibility and warmth. If you want a less expensive and machine-wash friendly item, choose an acrylic yarn.
- 2). Knit a test swatch (a 2-by-2-inch square) to determine your gauge for the project. Knitting the test swatch in garter stitch will give you an estimate of how many stitches you will need to cast on to create your node bag.
- 3). Cast on the number of stitches that will give you an 8-inch-wide knitted piece. For example, if you are knitting 6 stitches per inch, you will cast on 48 stitches.
- 4). Continue knitting in garter stitch until your knitted piece measures 24 inches long. Cast off and work the ends of your yarn into your knitted rectangle. You should now have a 24-by-8-inch rectangle.
- 5). Arrange the rectangle on a flat surface. Fold the piece so that it overlaps itself by 10 inches, with a surplus on one side of 4 inches. Using the large sewing needle and the same yarn that you used to knit the piece, sew up the sides of the overlapping pieces. This should leave you with a square-shaped pocket and a flap to fold over for closure.
- 6). Measure and cut a loop of yarn that is just big enough to fit over the decorative button. Sew this loop onto the side of the flap that will be hidden when you fold it over the pocket of your node bag. Place the loop in the middle of the edge of the flap so that it extends past the edge. Fold the flap over the bag to determine where the button needs to be attached to the pocket. Sew the button onto the outside of the pocket. Test the loop over the button to be sure the closure fits snugly.
- 7). Hold your new bag against your body where you want it to rest against your side when it is complete. Using the measuring tape, measure from one corner of the bag across your shoulder to the other corner of the bag to determine the length needed for your shoulder strap.
- 8). Using the same yarn and knitting needles, cast on enough stitches to measure 1.5 inches. Per the previous example, this would be 9 stitches. Knit in garter stitch until the length of this piece has reached the measurement of your strap in Step 7. Cast off.
- 9). Sew the end of the strap to the inside of your bag, just to the right of where your flap begins. Sew the other end of your strap to the opposite side of the flap inside the bag. Enjoy your new accessory.
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