Smiley Tote Bag + Happiness Survival Kit

Finding the perfect present for Mother's Day isn't always easy. Instead of buying a gift this year, try knitting one. Everyone needs a sturdy and reliable bag that's able to carry multiple items. This bag has a happy smiley face that will make your mother or any special lady smile and the happiness survival kit is an added extra. The perfect gift!

Smiley Tote Bag

Materials:
2 skeins Cotton type yarn
6mm needles
1/2yd material for lining
Cotton thread and sewing needle
Abbreviations used
 K = knit, p = purl,
k2tog = knit 2 together, yo = yarn over.
 x means to repeat the stitches in parentheses as many times as the number before the x.
Stitches in [bsst ] are border seed stitches,


Instructions:
Cast on 48 sts
Row 1 *k1, p1, repeat from * to end
Row 2 *p1, k1 repeat from * to end
These two rows form seed stitch repeat until 68 rows have been completed then place marker.
Work a further 14 rows of seed stich ending on a wrong side.
Smiley Face
The first 5 sts and last 5 sts of each row keep seed stitch border
Row 1) [5bsst], k37, [5bsst]
Row 2) and all wrong side rows [5bsst], p37, [5bsst]
Row 3) [5bsst], k12, (k2tog, yo), 6x k13, [bsst]
Row 5) [5bsst], k9, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, k2tog, k9, [5bsst]
Row 7) [5bsst], k6, k2tog, yo, k 21, yo, k2tog, k6, [5bsst]
Row 9) [5bsst], k4, k2tog, yo, k25, yo, k2tog, k4, [5bsst]
Row 11) [5bsst], k14, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k15, [5bsst]
Row 13) [5bsst], k2, k2tog, yo, k8, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k2, [5bsst]
Row 15) [5bsst], k10, k2tog, yo, k13, yo, k2tog, k10, [5bsst]
Row 17) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k6, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 19) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k3, (k2tog, yo) 2x, k17, (yo, k2tog) 2x, k3, yo, k2tog,
k1, [5bsst]
Row 21) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k5, k2tog, yo, k17, yo, k2tog, k5, yo, k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 23) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k9, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo,
k2tog, k9, yo,k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 25) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k8, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo,
k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 27) [5bsst], k11, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k11, [5bsst]
Row 29) [5bsst], k2, k2tog, yo, k7, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo,
k2tog, k7, yo, k2tog, k2, [5bsst]
Row 31) [5bsst], k12, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k12, [5bsst]

Row 33) [5bsst], k4, k2tog, yo, k25, yo, k2tog, k4, [5bsst]
Row 35) [5bsst], k6, k2tog, yo, k21, yo, k2tog, k6, [5bsst]
Row 37) [5bsst], k9, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, k2tog, k9, [5bsst]
Row 39) [5bsst], k12, (k2tog, yo) 6x, k13, [5bsst]
Row 41) [5bsst], k37, [5bsst]
Row 42) [5bsst], p37, [5bsst]
Work 12 rows seed stitch.
Cast off.

Handles Make 2
Cast on 6 sts
work in seed stitch until required length ( can be as long as you'd like)
Cast off.

Finishing
Fold bag in half (the markers are the middle) place cast on edge to cast off edge and sew side seams.

Pin handles in place then sew. Line if rquired. I lined with a red coloured material to show off smiley face.





The happiness survival kit :

An eraser to make all your mistakes disappear.

A penny so you will never be broke.

A rubber band to remind you to be flexible.

A string to tie everything together when all falls apart.

A mint to remind you that you are worth a mint to family and friends.

A marble so no one can say that you’ve lost all your marbles.

A Band Aid to remind you to heal hurt feelings.

A pencil to list your blessings every day.

A piece of gum to remind you to stick to it and you can accomplish anything.

A teabag to remind you to relax daily.

A toothpick to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.

A kiss to remind you that someone, somewhere cares about you.

 Place all these together in a box and put the box in the bag with the smiley face.... A guarantee to make everyone smile.

Super Easy Knitted Bag

 This bag uses just one ball of  yarn, making it a very cheap project, also a great stashbuster,  if you’ve got several unused balls of double knitting yarn in your stash, you can use those, knit in stripe, or knit  plain to show off yarns with interesting textures or colours. As a bonus, if yarn is used from your stash the bag will match the garments you’ve knitted already, making it a matching accessory! I used a ladder yarn from my stash that is also beautiful rainbow colours.

You Will Need :

1 x 100g/312m ball ladder, novelty or double dnit type yarn
A pair of 4mm needles
A 4mm circular needle
 bamboo bag handles
Fabric for lining 12½x6¼in (32x16cm)


Tension

22 sts and 28 rows to measure 4x4in (10x10cm) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles


Abbreviations used in this pattern:

cont     continue
K        knit
k2tog  knit 2 sts together
m1      make one stitch, pick up the loop between the next st and put it on the needle and knit it
psso    pass slipped stitch over
skpsso  slip next st, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
st(s)      stitch(es)
st st       stocking stitch
tbl         knit through the back of the st
yo         yarn over needle
yf          yarn forward


Instructions:
Bag Top

Cast on 22 sts using 4mm needles.

Beg with a knit row work 14 rows of st st, thus ending on a WS row.

Next row (RS) K into the back and front of each st. [44 sts]

Next row Purl.

Working in St st Inc 1 st at each end of every foll row until there are 54 sts, ending on a WS row.

Next row K5, m1, * K4, m1; rep from *, end K5. [66 sts]

Next row Purl.

Break yarn and leave sts on a stitch holder.

Work 2nd side in the same way but do not break yarn at the end.

Next row (RS) Using 4mm circular needle, K across 66 sts, then K across 66 sts from the stitch holder being careful not to twist the work. Using a stitch marker work in rounds of your pattern until the work measures 6¼in (16cm) from the beg of the circular knitting.

Cast off loosely.

To make up:

Turn bag to WS and sew up the bottom edge. Turn to right side.

 If you wish you can decorate a plain knit by sewing on  buttons and beads in any design you like on the shoulder of the bag.

Fold the bag tops over the bamboo handles to the WS and catch stitch in place.

Fold the lining fabric in half and sew up the side seams by machine or hand. Put inside the bag with the WS together. Fold a hem on the top of the lining and catch stitch in place starting at the top of the circular knitting.

 And there you have a very simple but stylish bag.

I'd love to see a photo of your finished bag :)

Easy Knit Handbag

If you're not careful it's easy to become obsessed with knitting bags! Not that that's a bad thing. This Easy Knit Handbag is the perfect project for beginners who are ready to try knitting more than just scarves. Knit with straight knitting needles, this pattern uses the stockinette stitch and garter stitch to create  texture. I love easy knitting patterns that are practical, stylish and fun to make! This free knit bag pattern is really cute you'll want to make it right away.

Materials:
100grm  Ribbon type yarn
100grm Double knitting type yarn
Size 4mm needles or size to obtain gauge
Two Handles
1 piece of cardboard 4inches wide x 10inches long for bottom of bag.


Gauge - Two yarns knit together
26 sts = 4”; 24 rows = 4” in Pat St
TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE


Note
The base of the bag is double thickness with cardboard in between.


Bag Front


With 4mm needles and both yarns together cast on 24 stitches and work 10 rows Stockinette stitch ( rightside row knit, wrongside row purl).


Next cast on 10 sts at begining of next two rows  -44sts


Pattern
Work 8 rows garter stitch ( every row knit)
Next work 10 rows Stockinette stitch
 Repeat these 18 rows three times then a further 8 rows garter stitch.
Cast off.


Bag Back
Work same as the front.
Base/Side Strip
Cast on 30 sts and work in garter st for 24 inches. 
Cast off.

In the same maner make a second strip 10 inches long.


FINISHING
Lay the 10 inche strip on top of the 24 inch strip centering the shorter strip. Sew both long edges leaving the narrow edges open, this forms a pocket on each side and a double base. Insert cardboard between the 2 strips before completing the second edge and tack strips tog at bottom of pockets to hold cardboard in place. Sew one long edge to the front and one long edge to the back sections.
Place one handle at the cast on edge of thr front of bag, Fold cast on edge over to secure handle and sew in place. Repeat for bag back. Line if desired.




The secret of the knitted bag is choosing the correct yarn then adding your own little twist. Have a go and let your creative juices flow!

Cute Doggy Handbag

Fluffy textured yarns are great for kids' knits as they not only have the novelty factor but are super soft too. Eyelash yarn is a really furry, fluffy yarn which is ideal for cuddly toys and the dog on this project. The bag itself is really simple to knit and you can easily adjust the length of the strap to suit your needs.


Requirements


1 ball pink eyelash type yarn (yarn A)
1 ball white eyelash type yarn (yarn B)
small amount of black yarn for eyes, nose and mouth
small amount of pink yarn for bow.
6mm needles
safety toy stuffing


Bag (worked in garter stitch throughout)
Using 6mm needles and yarn A cast on 35 sts Work 10 rows Join in yarn B, carry yarn up side of work when not in use
 Rows 1-4: using yarn B 
 Rows 5-8: using yarn A 
 Rep last eight rows until there are eight yarn B (white) stripes Cut yarn B
 Using yarn A  Work s10 rows
Cast off


Side Strip and Handle

Using 6mm needles and yarn A cast on ten sts
 Work in garter st until piece meas 66cm or desired length
 Cast off

To Make Up

Fold Bag in half, pin one short end of Side strip to centre of fold. Pin and sew each side of Bag to Strip to form side gusset. Repeat on other side of bag. Fold remaining piece in half to form handle and sew in place.

Dogs Ears (make 2)

Using 6mm needles and yarn B  cast on six sts
NOTE: worked from bottom to tip
Work in garter st throughout . K two rows
 Increase one st at each end of next and foll alt row until there are ten sts
 Work without shaping until Ear meas 8cm
 Decrease one st at each end of next and every foll row until six sts rem
 Cast off

Dogs Head

NOTE: worked from top to nose
Using 6mm needles and yarn B cast on ten sts
 Work two rows in garter st
 Next row: kfb in every st to end. 20 sts
 Starting with a p row, work three rows in st st
 Next row: * k1, kfb in next st, rep from * to end. 30 sts
 Starting with a p row, work five rows in st st
 Next row: * k1, k2tog, rep from * to end. 20 sts
 Starting with a p row, work three rows in st st
 Next row: (k2tog) to end. Ten sts
 Next row: p
 Next row: (k2tog) to end. Five sts
Break yarn and thread through sts on needle, pull tight and fasten off

Bow
With pink cast on 6sts
work in stockinette stitch for 5 cms (2inches)
Cast off.
Sew cast on and cast off ends together and wrap yarn tightly around the centre to form bow shape.

To Make Up

Sew up centre back seam of Head, add stuffing before closing. Flatten on one side so it sits correctly on front of Bag. Using picture as a guide, embroider face. Stitch an inverted ‘Y’ to make nose and mouth, make French knots for eyes and use straight stitches for eyebrows. Sew Ears to top of Head. Add bow to top of Head as shown.Place Head onto front of Bag and oversew around edges to attach.

based on pattern by val pierce

Happy Bag + Happiness Survival Kit

First of all I want to thank Janet Callaway - The Natural Networker who has been a great source of inspiration since I started this blog and who gave me the idea for this pattern after reading her blog at
http://www.janetcallaway.com/12-essentials-for-your-happiness-kit
I thought it would make a great gift idea and decided to make a bag to go with it, so of course what would be better than to have a bag with a smiley face!
So here is my Happy Bag + Happiness Survival Kit

Happy Bag

Materials:
2 skeins Cotton type yarn
6mm needles
1/2yd material for lining
Cotton thread and sewing needle
Abbreviations used
 K = knit, p = purl,
k2tog = knit 2 together, yo = yarn over.
 x means to repeat the stitches in parentheses as many times as the number before the x.
Stitches in [bsst ] are border seed stitches,


Instructions:
Cast on 48 sts
Row 1 *k1, p1, repeat from * to end
Row 2 *p1, k1 repeat from * to end
These two rows form seed stitch repeat until 68 rows have been completed then place marker.
Work a further 14 rows of seed stich ending on a wrong side.
Smiley Face
The first 5 sts and last 5 sts of each row keep seed stitch border
Row 1) [5bsst], k37, [5bsst]
Row 2) and all wrong side rows [5bsst], p37, [5bsst]
Row 3) [5bsst], k12, (k2tog, yo), 6x k13, [bsst]
Row 5) [5bsst], k9, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, k2tog, k9, [5bsst]
Row 7) [5bsst], k6, k2tog, yo, k 21, yo, k2tog, k6, [5bsst]
Row 9) [5bsst], k4, k2tog, yo, k25, yo, k2tog, k4, [5bsst]
Row 11) [5bsst], k14, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k15, [5bsst]
Row 13) [5bsst], k2, k2tog, yo, k8, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k2, [5bsst]
Row 15) [5bsst], k10, k2tog, yo, k13, yo, k2tog, k10, [5bsst]
Row 17) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k6, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, k2tog, k6, yo, k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 19) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k3, (k2tog, yo) 2x, k17, (yo, k2tog) 2x, k3, yo, k2tog,
k1, [5bsst]
Row 21) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k5, k2tog, yo, k17, yo, k2tog, k5, yo, k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 23) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k9, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo,
k2tog, k9, yo,k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 25) [5bsst], k1, k2tog, yo, k8, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo,
k2tog, k8, yo, k2tog, k1, [5bsst]
Row 27) [5bsst], k11, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k11, [5bsst]
Row 29) [5bsst], k2, k2tog, yo, k7, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo,
k2tog, k7, yo, k2tog, k2, [5bsst]
Row 31) [5bsst], k12, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k12, [5bsst]

Row 33) [5bsst], k4, k2tog, yo, k25, yo, k2tog, k4, [5bsst]
Row 35) [5bsst], k6, k2tog, yo, k21, yo, k2tog, k6, [5bsst]
Row 37) [5bsst], k9, k2tog, yo, k15, yo, k2tog, k9, [5bsst]
Row 39) [5bsst], k12, (k2tog, yo) 6x, k13, [5bsst]
Row 41) [5bsst], k37, [5bsst]
Row 42) [5bsst], p37, [5bsst]
Work 12 rows seed stitch.
Cast off.

Handles Make 2
Cast on 6 sts
work in seed stitch until required length ( can be as long as you'd like)
Cast off.

Finishing
Fold bag in half (the markers are the middle) place cast on edge to cast off edge and sew side seams.

Pin handles in place then sew. Line if rquired. I lined with a red coloured material to show off smiley face.





The happiness survival kit :

An eraser to make all your mistakes disappear.

A penny so you will never be broke.

A rubber band to remind you to be flexible.

A string to tie everything together when all falls apart.

A mint to remind you that you are worth a mint to family and friends.

A marble so no one can say that you’ve lost all your marbles.

A Band Aid to remind you to heal hurt feelings.

A pencil to list your blessings every day.

A piece of gum to remind you to stick to it and you can accomplish anything.

A teabag to remind you to relax daily.

A toothpick to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others.

A kiss to remind you that someone, somewhere cares about you.

I placed all these together in a box and put the box in the bag with the smiley face to remind you to smile and thought this would make a perfect christmas gift.

Wishing you all  happiness this Christmas and throughout the New Year!





smiley face designed by Susan Mrenna 2006 Knit A Little http://knitalittlestore.blogspot.com