Nests and Nets and Knots

I have been working on "Elisa's Nest Tote." And while the pattern is/was relatively easy, I am struggling a little bit with how "loose" everything is, especially on the sides. I have already opened up the whole thing once and am now working on my second attempt. I found that on Ravelry a lot of people have made the bag, and none looks like the other. Everybody has put a personal spin on the bag, and I have a feeling, I will, too.

Here is the original pattern from "the purl bee:"


MATERIALS

· One skein or approximately 175-200 yards cotton yarn. We used Rowan 4-ply Cotton in Tutti Frutti.

· One pair straight needles a few sizes larger than recommended for your yarn. We used US size 9 needles.

· Double pointed needles in the size recommended for your yarn. We used US size 3 needles.

· Crochet hook in the size recommended for your yarn. We used a 3.5mm hook.

· Tapestry needle

NOTES

· k2tog decrease; knit two stitches together

· psso pass slipped stitch over

· ssk decrease; slip, slip, knit

· yo increase; yarn over

Step 1: Knitting the Bag

Cast on 41 stitches.

Rows 1 and 3: Purl.
Row 2: K1, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 4: *Ssk, yo, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.

Repeat Rows 1 - 4 until fabric measures approximately 24 inches, or twice desired length of the finished bag.

Bind off loosely.

Step 2: Join Together the Sides

1. Fold the bag in half, right sides together so that the cast on and bind off edges form the top of the bag. You will join together the parallel long edges of the bag using a crochet hook.

2. Using a 1 yard length of the same yarn that you used to knit the bag, make a slip knot on the hook. Leave a 6 inch tail of yarn.

3. Insert your crochet hook under the loops of the first edge stitch on the front side, at the corner with the top edge of the bag. Then insert the hook through the first edge stitch on the back side.

4. Wrap the yarn around the hook, then draw the hook back through the two edge stitches. You now have two stitches on the hook.

5. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it through both stitches on the hook. You have just one stitch on the hook now.

Continue joining the front and back edges of the bag, repeat steps 3 - 5 along the length of the bag. When you reach the bottom of the bag, where the knitted fabric is folded in half, draw the remaining yarn all the way through the final stitch to secure it.

Weave in your ends using a tapestry needle or your crochet hook.

Repeat for the second side of the bag.

I will post any changes I made to this pattern, once I am finished and can show pictures of my own.