No More Paper or Plastic, Part 2

 We went to the grocery store this morning and I am tickled pink! (or beige or yellow or green, depending on the bag). My shopping not only worked great, but held more than any plastic bag. The clerk asked me where I got them, and when I said I made them, she called other clerks over to see them. I was so honored. Ken's only comment is that I should made the handles shorter. No problem! I thought I was making them too short. So now I am doing one in lime green and another one in shades of blue. Stay tuned!

No More Paper or Plastic in Colorado

 As of January 1, Colorado started charging for plastic bags at stores, including the grocery store.

I have a big bag of cotton yarn that I collected in anticipation of this. However, I really didn't like the feel of knitting with cotton, so the bag just sat in my craft room for the past several years (yes, years). So I finally decided to start using it up. I am on my third bag now. I seem to like the feel of it better now since there is a necessity. 

I am using a basic pattern. There are several free patterns on Ravelry for shopping bags, and they are very similar.

I cast on 24 stitches with size 9 circular needles and knit back and forth in stockinette (or garter stitch, your choice) until it is close to a square. Then I pick up stitches along the sides and bottom. I don't really count the stitches because exact numbers don't matter. 

I continue knitting in the round, increasing two stitches at each corner two or three times. Then just knit in stockinette for a couple of inches. 

I change to a larger needle, in my case size 11 and start the lace pattern:
Round 1: YO, k2tog for the entire round.
Round 2: Knit

I continue these 2 rounds for 12 to 14 inches. I then go back to stockinette for another couple of inches. 

Divide for handle. This is the first time (and only time) I actually count the stitches. I take the total stitches and subtract 24 stitches (handle is 12 stitches wide). I divide that total in half. 

Such as:

  136 total stitches
  - 24 
  112
/    2
   56

Next round: Knit 12 stitches. Bind off the next 56 stitches. Knit 12 and put those stitches on a holder and remove from needles. Bind off the next 56 stitches.

Change back to size 9 needles. Work in garter stitch back and forth (knit every row) until you have the length you want for the handle. Use a three-needle bind off with the stitches on the needle. Weave in the ends.

As you can see, it is pretty much "seat-of-your-pants" knitting. It's pretty forgiving and after you have made a few, the pattern is "in the bag!"