No Seam Bottom Up Bag

No Seam, Bottom Up Bag by Natalie Langkilde Last updated March 1, '04 http://www.nataliesknitting.com

For Roz's Midgauge pattern click here.

Good for eyeglasses (or reading glasses), or cell phone's. How about shorter for soap on a rope in cotton? Make a bobble closure and throw in those little soap pieces, or a perfumed bar. Maybe just keys and a drivers licence if you are a teenager? Maybe you want to make it water bottle size? You could make it double wide and put a camera in it. You can make it MP3 player, or mini radio size.

This was done in self patterning yarn by Regia in 4 ply. You could use any similar size yarn without having to change the numbers on the pattern. Wouldn't it look nice in a dress yarn? Or any yarn! There is no break in the patterning on back. No seams, no finishing except the ends to get rid of. Self making bottom.

You could get real picky and make a form to fit inside making it like a box. I like the quick version because I appreciate quick! I can't wait to see yours!!

Machine: Any Standard gauge KM with ribber

Tension: Approximately 9 st, 11 rows Tension 5, stockinette st

Materials: Regia 4 ply sock yarn, 50 gm ball. I used less than half of the ball. Or use any yarn you like with approximately the same tension. Some sort of closure device of your own choice. 2 closures if you make the square flap variation.

Note: Cut and save for later a 24 inch piece of yarn.

Step one: CO every needle on main bed and ribber: main bed 13-14 and ribber 13-13

Or cast on double that amount for a wider bag big enough for something like a camera.

Tension 0/0, ribber in H position and slide lever all the way to the R. Knit across to left, hang ribber comb and weights. I used 3 of the big weights. Don't take the weights or comb off until you have finished knitting circular.

Step two: Tension 1/1 push in left part button on main carriage and right part button on ribber carriage to knit circular. Go slow across to right, then left for 2 rows. It will be real snug. Watch that ribber comb so it doesn't catch on your yarn and make a loop!

RC 000 Change tension to 5/5, slide lever to left. Continue in circular knitting.
Knit until row count 125.

Note: You can push a measuring ruler into the knitting between the beds and estimate how much longer you may want to make it for your own size. If you do this, take into account that as your bag gets longer it will pull more and more downward with the weights. So a 6 inch bag could be pulled as much as an inch downward more than it really is in legnth with the weights on.

Cast off: Note: For tube top flap do not cast off now, and go to "Flap Variation 3" now.

All other flaps: Drop ribber down one notch. Keep yarn threaded in carriage for now. Cast off ribber st. around the gate pegs with that yarn you saved. You will be poking downward with the hook to grab each new st.

Flap (triangle shaped): T5 - Drop ribber down all the way and hook up main carriage back on main bed. Knit across two rows. Now every other row decrease one st. each side. I used a 2 prong tool for this moving them inward and putting the needle out of work when st is transfered off.

When 4 st remain use the one prong tool and decrease inward to the center, knit one row, then put one st onto the other, knit one row. Cut and pull the knitting downward letting the st unravel through that last st.

Flap Variation 1 (Square): T5 - Use no decreases and make a square flap closure. Knit at least 22 rows. More for longer flap. Cast off. To keep the edges flat when closed you may want to put a closure notion on each corner.

Flap Variation 2 (Off Center Triangle): T5 - Decrease every row as on original flap version, but only on one side. You pick which side and stick to it!

Flap Variation 3 (Tube Top): Keep ribber engaged and circular knitting set up. Knit 2 or 3 inches (or more as desired) and cast off on both beds by your preferred method. Leave the tube open and let it fall over the front of bag for a flap. Insert closure notions as desired. Possably velcro between the ends of the tube?

Cord (If desired) : T4 - Press in right part button.

Pick up 3 st and hang on machine needles from top, side of bag, where the cord will attach. Begin making cord by holding down on cord while knitting. Knit until desired legnth cord. Make as long as you want for a handle, or shoulder strap. Hang 3 more st from the other side of bag to attach cord. Knit across one row. Back st bind off and sew in end thread.

Hint: If you notice st not knitting off you may want to hold the cord in front of the ribber and let it hang downward over ribber providing gentle pulling tension with one hand while you knit. This angle helps with mine.

Hint: If you don't like the pulling up on the ends of the bag with a weighted object inside the bag there is something you can do. You can attach the cord one inch inward so that it pulls more from the center, yet still has a handle on each side.

To make cord seperate and sew on after: E-wrap cast on 3 st. Knit a cord this way, providing tension on cord with gentle pulling down on it while knitting. Knit until it is as long as desired for handle or shoulder strap. Break yarn and use this to back st cast off. Or just draw up threading this yarn through the st.

Finishing: Weave in ends. Sew on Cord, if necessary. Fringe flap if desired. Use your choice of clasp/closure and embelishments.

If you want reinforcement at the cord connecting area 2 quick solutions are:

1. Sew a fabric, leather, or ultrasuede, or polarfleece triangle to the outside over the strap catching the strap in. This will spread the weight over more stitches.

2. Sew a button on the outside as well as inside (going through both with each sewing st) enclosing the strap and bag. This button inside and outside will pull more upward on all the st above where the strap connects to the bag. Instead of pulling outward on the st the cord connects to.

Directions for MK Fringe: Use the "Double Crochet fringe" for more "edge". Use crab st or half double crochet for the same look, but less edge. This will flair less with weight bearing on the cord. Or choose any fringe you like here . Be sure to do 3 of the st in the same pick up st on the point, to turn the corner to the other side of the flap.

To machine fringe: Hold bag facing away from you (looking at back of it) with flap up. Pick up right side st, starting at right edge of flap, and working over to left edge with fringe. Click here for fringe directions. Use only about 3-4 st out of work for the cute little fringe. Or, feel free to make it as long as you like!

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