Bags & Izzy's Knit & Natter Group

Have been going through some of my old stuff to get some ideas of some projects to make that aren't too big and found some of my old bags which I knitted about 2 years ago at the 'knit & natter' group I started with a friend. Irene one of the ladies with a wealth of knowledge was the pattern designer and she designed this very simple bag for the group to knit for the school's craft fayre. We made bags, scarves, socks, dolls clothes .. oodles of stuff. I really miss the group and will visit on my next quick trip back to the UK to see them all and what they've been up to. Even to get the update on Ally Pally which I'm sooo envious about not being about to get to.

Penny the 'lollipop lady' became the master bag knitter and churned out the most beautiful bags and scarves. She is a perfectionist and even though no one else would see a mistake she'd unravel and wouldn't be happy until she got 110%... oh how we all ribbed her ! hehehe 'ribbed' !

Ok here's the very basic instructions Irene gave for the bags but you might need to do a bit of your own thing to it as we did in the group to make it your own. Penny's were made with doubled up yarn (using 3 strands) and I used 2 strands through out and just a dk for the top edge. I'll try to find a pic of Penny's later.

Basically its just cast on 26, knit 11 rows, inc 1 st at each end on next and following 3rd row.
Knit a further 30 rows then dec 1 st at each end on next and following 3rd row.
Then knit 11 more rows straight.
Cast off.
Sew up then do a round of sc/dc around the top and a further 5 rows of sc/dc.
Line the bag with a colourful lining and stick a pin or button on as a fastener. For the handles just ch 3 and sc/dc as many rows as you want, then sew into place. That's the basic pattern but make any changes you want to get your own look.

If you live in the Portsmouth area the girls would love to see you. I'm not sure how much it is now (approx £2.50) but you get drinks, biscuits (usually Penguins) and use of the pattern library and the expertise of the ladies in the group. They meet on a Friday afternoon (school term time only) and are called 'Isambard Brunel Knit & Natter' in the North End area. Just email me for more details.
POSTSCRIPT:

Just found this little bag on Garnstudio which looks pretty interesting.