Initialled drawstring bag

Cast on

36

Rows (back + front)

106

Finished size

18.9 × 22.1 cm

Eyelets per row

17

Usable width 18.9 cm: 36 cast-on stitches minus 1 seam stitch on each side (one stitch was added so the eyelet row works on an even count). The worked panel is 20.0 × 44.2 cm before folding. Depth 22.1 cm = 53 rows at 24 rows per 10 cm; the garter bands are counted at your stockinette row gauge and may be a little shorter.

Working instructions

Terms used here: k = knit; p = purl; sts = stitches; RS = right side (the outside); WS = wrong side; k2tog = knit the next 2 stitches together as one (1 stitch fewer); p2tog = purl the next 2 stitches together as one (1 stitch fewer); yo = yarn over: bring the yarn over the right needle to make a new loop, which leaves a small hole; garter stitch = knit every row; stockinette = knit the RS rows, purl the WS rows; duplicate stitch = embroidery that covers one knitted V with a new strand.

Odd-numbered rows are right-side (RS) rows. Cast on 36 sts. Each eyelet row keeps the stitch count: every yo adds a stitch and the k2tog or p2tog next to it removes one.

• Rows 1–4 (garter, back top band): knit every row — 36 sts.
• Rows 5–6 (stockinette, back): k36 on RS rows, p36 on WS rows — 36 sts.
• Row 7 (eyelet row, RS, back): k1, *yo, k2tog; rep from * to last st, k1 — 36 sts (17 eyelets).
• Rows 8–53 (stockinette, back): k36 on RS rows, p36 on WS rows — 36 sts.
• Rows 54–99 (stockinette, front): k36 on RS rows, p36 on WS rows — 36 sts.
• Row 100 (eyelet row, WS, front): p1, *yo, p2tog; rep from * to last st, p1 — 36 sts (17 eyelets).
• Rows 101–102 (stockinette, front): k36 on RS rows, p36 on WS rows — 36 sts.
• Rows 103–106 (garter, front top band): knit every row — 36 sts.

Bind off on the next row (row 107, RS) knitwise without pulling tight. This edge is the front's top edge.

Initials in duplicate stitch

Knit the whole piece in the main colour first. Then embroider the initials over the knit stitches of the front with the lettering colour, one duplicate stitch over each marked stitch.

Initials (duplicate stitch, lettering colour): rows 70–83, stitches 14–23 — 72 duplicate stitches. Count rows from the cast-on edge and stitches from the right-hand edge with the right side facing; work the chart's bottom row on row 70.

Making up

1. Weave in the cast-on and bind-off tails on the wrong side. Work the initials now, before seaming.
2. Fold the piece between rows 53 and 54, wrong sides together, so the two garter bands meet at the top and the eyelet rows line up.
3. With the right side facing, sew each side with mattress stitch, taking the 1 edge stitch of each layer into the seam, from the fold up to the top of the garter band. Fasten off securely.
4. Make a cord about 68 cm long (a twisted cord or crochet chain from the same yarn, or a ready-made cord). Starting at one side seam, weave it in and out of every eyelet all the way round so both ends come out at the same side. Knot the ends.

Not a toy. Keep drawstring bags and cords away from babies and young children.

Materials

• Main yarn that gives 18 sts and 24 rows per 10 cm in stockinette
• A small amount of lettering yarn of the same thickness (about 1.25 × the yarn of a knitted stitch per duplicate stitch in our yarn model)
• Cord: about 68 cm (not included in the fabric estimate)
• Knitting needles, yarn needle, scissors

No fabric yarn amount is assumed. Add a weighed, measured swatch below for an area-based estimate of the main fabric.

Approximate time: about 3.4–7.0 hours of stitching: 3,816 stitches at 10–20 stitches per minute; 72 duplicate stitches at 2–5 per minute. Every pace above is an assumed range, not a timed sample; enter your own pace to replace the main one. Finishing (seams, weaving in ends, blocking) is not included.

Stitch totals: 3816 knitted stitches (36 × 106 rows), 36 cast on, 36 bound off, 72 duplicate stitches.

• ✓ Every row uses 36 stitches and makes 36 stitches.
• ✓ The written row groups cover every row exactly once.
• ✓ Both eyelet rows sit 6 rows from their top edge, so they meet when the piece is folded.
• ✓ Fold line between rows 53 and 54: back and front have 53 rows each.
• ✓ The initials stay on the front, at least 2 rows from the fold and the eyelets and 2 stitches inside the seam stitches.