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The Cabana Stripe Tote is a fun take on a classic carryall. Worked in linen stitch with a garter stitch base, it’s made in pieces and seamed together for an easy, knit-on-the-go project. Add a simple sewn lining and purchased handles, and you’ll have a sturdy, stylish tote ready for your next adventure — or your next WIP.
Time: 3 Week Project
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 13” w x 10” h x 4.5” d
Gauge: 20 sts and 42 rows = 4” [10 cm] in linen St on larger needles after blocking
Materials
Yarn: Cascade Friday Harbor (80% Merino wool, 20% silk; 219 yards [200 meters]/100 grams): 32 Honey Ginger (1 skein) MC; 08 ecru (1 skein) CC1; 05 Dark Sapphire (1 skein) CC2
Approximately 165 yds (151 meters) of MC; 150 yds (137 meters) of CC1; 175 yds (160 meters of CC2 of a worsted weight yarn. I recommend using a yarn with at least 20% of either silk, cotton or linen for stability of tote.
Needles:
US size 5 (4 mm) 40” circular needles or size to obtain gauge
US size 6 (4 mm) 14” single point or 24” circular needles or size to obtain gauge
Notions: Markers, removeable markers, scissors, tapestry needle, 24” PU leather purse straps, ½ yard of 44” cotton fabric, ½ yard Pellon 809 Decor-Bond fusible interfacing, ruler, straight pins, sewing needle, sewing thread, upholstery or carpet thread, magnetic snap (optional)
Pattern Notes
The tote is knit sideways, in pieces. The pieces are joined together and then the bottom contrast band is picked up and knit downward. The bottom is worked separately and then joined last. A material lining is added. Purchased handles finish your project.
Pattern
Front/Back (make 2)
With larger needles and MC, CO 44 sts.
Row 1: K.
Row 2: K2, *K1, Sl1wyif, repeat from * across.
Row 3: *P1, S1wyib, repeat from * to last 2 sts, S2wyif.
Rows 4-19: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 20: Repeat row 2.
Cut Color A leaving a 6” tail.
With Color CC1
Row 21: *P1, S1wyib, repeat from * to last 2 sts, S2wyif.
Row 22: K2, *K1, Sl1wyif, repeat from * across.
Rows 23 – 38: Repeat rows 21-22.
Cut CC1. leaving a 6” tail.
With MC
Rows 39 – 56: Repeat rows 21 -22.
Cut MC leaving a 6” tail.
With CC1
Rows 57 – 74: Repeat rows 21 -22
Cut CC1 leaving a 6” tail
With MC
Rows 75 – 92: Repeat rows 21 -22.
Cut MC leaving a 6” tail.
With CC1
Rows 93 – 110: Repeat rows 21 -22.
Cut CC1 leaving a 6” tail.
With MC
Rows 111 – 128: Repeat rows 21 -22.
Row 129: Repeat row 21.
Row: 130: K2tog, K to end.
Row: 131: BO. Cut MC leaving a 6” tail.
Sides (make 2)
With larger needles and CC1, CO 44 sts
Row 1: K.
Row 2: K2, *K1, Sl1wyif, repeat from * across.
Row 3: *P1, S1wyib, repeat from * to last 2 sts, S2wyif.
Rows 4-13: Repeat rows 2-3.
Row 14: Repeat row 2.
Cut CC1 leaving a 6” tail.
With MC
Row 15: *P1, S1wyib, repeat from * to last 2 sts, S2wyif.
Row 16: K2, *K1, Sl1wyif, repeat from * across.
Rows 17 – 32: Repeat rows 15-16.
Cut MC leaving a 6” tail.
With CC1
Rows 33 – 44: Repeat rows 15 – 16.
Row: 45: Knit to last 2 sts, K2tog.
Row: 46: BO. Cut MC leaving a 6” tail.
Joining Tote Pieces
With wrong sides together and using the mattress stitch, join BO edge of front panel to BO edge of side panel making sure the I-cord edges are aligned. Continuing in the same manner, join BO edge of back panel to BO edge of side panel just worked. Then join the BO edge of the second side panel to the BO edge of the back panel just worked. You should now have a strip made of the front panel, a side panel, the back panel and another side panel. See diagram 1.
Block to 35” x 9”.
After blocking join the final BO edges.
Bottom Contrast Band
With smaller needles and CC2 pick up and knit the following sts around the bottom of the tote.
66 sts on back, PM, 25 sts on side, PM, 66 sts on front, PM, 25 sts on side. This stitch count creates a very dense fabric.
PM. Join to work in the round.
Row 1: P
Row 2: K
Rows 3 – 12: Repeat rows 1-2.
Row 13: P
Row 14: *BO stitches to marker, remove marker, BO next stitch, place removable marker to indicate corner. Repeat from * two more times. BO remaining sts and place a removable marker for the fourth corner. Cut yarn leaving a 6” tail.
Tote Bottom
With smaller needles and CC2 CO 66 sts.
Row 1: K
Repeat row 1 until piece measures 4.5”. BO. Cut yarn leaving a 6” tail.
Joining Bottom to Tote
With wrong sides together match the four corners of the bottom band to the four corners of the bottom piece. Join using the mattress stitch.
Finishing
Weave ends into the seams of the tote bag.
Lining
Cut a 35” W x 16” H rectangle from the lining material.
Cut a 34” W x 15” H rectangle from the Pellon fusible interfacing.
Sewing
Centering the interfacing on the wrong side of the material adhere interfacing to material with a hot iron. With right sides facing, pin the 16” sides of the material together. Sew a ½” seam. Press side seam open. With right sides facing, pin the bottom edges of the lining together, placing the seam at the side of the lining. Sew a ½” seam. Snip the bottom corners diagonally about an inch from the sides of the lining. Press bottom seam open.
Bottom Gusset
With right sides facing, match and pin the bottom seam to the side seam of the lining. Draw a 4.5” perpendicular line edge to edge. Sew across this line. Trim, leaving a ½” selvedge. Repeat for the other side.
Top Edge
Fold and press ½” to the wrong side, then fold and press 2” to the wrong side. Pin. Turn lining right side out. Topstitch around the lining 1 ¾” from the top edge, catching the folded edge on the wrong side. Topstitch again around the lining close to the top edge. Press.
Adding Dimension to the Lining (Optional)
Turn lining wrong side out. On the side with the seam, mark 2 ¼” from either side of the seam. Make a crease along this mark 2” from the top down to the bottom corner. Sew through the folded layers, 1/8” from the edge at each corner. Fold the lining in half, sewn side seam on the left. Mark the center of the other side. Make a mark 2 ¼” from the center mark. Repeat creasing along these marks and sewing an 1/8” from 2” from the top to the bottom corners.
Adding magnetic snaps (Optional)
On the lining, mark the center between the sides and 1” from the top edge. Follow package directions to install the snap.
Sewing Lining into the Tote Bag
With wrong side out, insert lining into the tote bag matching side seams. The top edge of the lining should be just below the I cord edge. Pin in place. Hand sew the lining into the tote bag along the top edge.
Adding Purse Straps
Following photo of tote for placement of straps, hand sew through all layers with matching upholstery or carpet thread following package directions.