Free Knitting Patterns for knot bags closed by putting one handle through a loop, inspired by the traditional Japanese purse design. Updated 5/18/24
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Free Patterns
Knot Bag
Small tote with one long handle and one short. Thread the long handle through the short and wear it on your wrist. The bag is worked in the round in a linen stitch. Includes instructions for a covered base to give a flat bottomed bag. 2 sizes 15 cm / 6 inches tall and 23 cm / 9 inches. Uses one skein of DK weight yarn, 50g for the small bag and 90g for the bigger one. Designed by Frankie Brown.
Dumpling Bag
An elegant twist on the simple knot bag with handles that also close the bag. Finished Circumference: 20 inches. Height (including handles): 12 inches. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Uses one skein of 165 yards (151 m) of DK weight yarn. Designed by Jeannie Lee for Purl Soho.
Dragonfly Knot Purse and Hat
Knot bag tote and matching with geometric design with dragonflies inspired by the stunning Pendleton designs in the Pacific Northwest. After felting, the purse is 13.5” long. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Knittingsworth Design.
Purplexed Knot Bag
Knot bag tote knit with seed stitch stripes and handles. Size Size: 6 x 5" (15.2 x 12.7cm). Uses just one skein of the recommended Sport weight yarn. Designed by Kristi Simpson for Willow Yarns.
Japanese Knot Project Bag
Quick and easy bag perfect for your small, take-along projects. The bag is 7 inches high, and the bottom is 4 1/2 inches x 5 inches. To close the bag, simply push the longer strap through the loop made by the shorter strap so you can carry on your wrist. Uses one 100g skein of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Meg Strong. Pictured project by ChrisPNoodle who made all 3 bags from one 200gm ball.
Japanese Skyp Knot Bag
One skein knot bag knit with a ribbed texture and with versions for knitting top down or bottom up. Uses less than one skein 190 - 250 yards (174 - 229 m) of Fingering weight yarn. It looks like the bag is about 5 inches excluding handles. Designed by Patricia Ceger.
Buttons Ahoy Knot Bag Knot Bag
Small roundish knot bag with one handle knit shorter and positioned in front of the longer handle. It is then carried over the longer handle to form the closure in front of the bag. Knitted in the round using one skein (100 Grams) of the recommended bulky yarn. Size 7 inch (18cm) wide by 7 inch tall (not including handles) unblocked. Designed by Phoebe Lim.
- Get the free knitting pattern through Kindle Unlimited
- Or get the free knitting pattern - Web version
- Buy the pdf
- Get the recommended Wool of the Andes Bulky yarn at Amazon
Triangle Bottom Project Bag
Wrist bag with stranded triangle pattern and a handle and loop fastening like knot bags. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Faserkind Fiber Arts who allows you to sell finished bags. Pictured projects by designer, skymartin, and schnoodlemom
Knot Bag With Square Bottom
Small bag with two handles carried with one shorter handle over the longer handle to form the closure. The base is a square knitted from the center out using Turkish cast on. This bag is knitted in the round from bottom up in one piece. Uses one skein 109 - 137 yards (100 - 125 m) of Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Phoebe Lim. Web version is free
More Free Patterns
Nudo
Japanese knot bag with bobbles with a handle and loop. DK weight yarn. Designed by Judy Bond.
Japanese Knot Project Bag
Less than one skein of yarn will knit up this quick and cute little bag to hold your knitting project or other small items. Knit in the round with a seed stitch bottom and straps, but otherwise just knit stitches. Uses just 100 - 120 yards (91 - 110 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jean Barresi.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 yarn at Amazon
Japanese Knot Wristlet
Mini pinwheel purse with Japanese Knot closure knit in garter stitch rectangles knit together as you go. There are lots of constructions and diagrams but the construction does take some thought. Perfect stash buster for scrap DK weight yarn. Designed by Sally Hall.
Felted Knot Bag With 2 Options
A simple and stylish felted bag with two ingenious handle design options, quick and easy to make, and even easier to use, with subtle shaping, derived from traditional Japanese knot bags. Sizes: bag height 38.5cm (15”) flat, width 11.5" to 12" at base. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by k | knits.
Slippity Do Dah Bag
Fully customizable loop and handle bag, like a knot bag, that uses slipped stitches or mosaic knitting (one color per row) to create a colorful geometric design. This bag is knit flat in garter stitch, seamed by matching the color bands, has an I-cord handle, and then is felted. The size and shape of the bag is determined by repeats, though the pictured samples look about 8 and 11 inches. Using a gradient, self-striping yarn for the pattern adds an extra color dimension. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Andy Mordoh.
One Cake Large Japanese Knot Bag
Large knot bag tote is 12.5 inches / 32 cm tall, excluding handles. Body is knit in the round, while handle and loop closure are knit flat. Designed for gradient or self-striping cake yarn it uses just one cake 200g of the recommended Aran weight yarn. A445 Large Japanese Knot Bag designed by Lincraft. Pictured project by ayembee99
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- A possible alternative yarn might be Lollipop, same weight and size cake
One Skein Knot Bag
Knot bag tote knit three parts, the base, the main bag and the handles. Uses just one skein 109 - 153 yards (100 - 140 m) of the recommended DK weight yarn. Designed by Louise Higgins.
Square Cake Project Bag
This variation on the Japanese knot bag features diamond stitch panels. The handles act as both handle and closure. Just twist one handle through the other to keep your project safe when you have to pause and then pull open up the handles when you can knit again! Two sizes – Width: 7.25[10.5] inches, Height (including handles): 11.5 inches Designed by Jairlyn Mason for Knitty. Pictured project by SmokingHotNeedles
Knot Bag
A simple knot bag with handles that also close the bag. Finished Height excluding handles: 18 cm / 7 inches. Uses one skein / variegated cake of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lincraft.
Itty Bitty Ditty Bag
Mesh tote knit with a trellis lace that stretches to hold a variety of items that make it ideal for traveling and camping. It has a flat bottom and i-cord loop through handles to secure the bag. DK weight yarn. Designed by Judy Bond.
Patterns for Purchase
One Skein Knot Bag
This bag's ingenious design features a versatile knot closure, allowing you to effortlessly secure your belongings and is knit with a woven texture stitch. Height of bag without handles 18 cm/7 inches. Uses one skein of DK weight yarn. Designed by HandyLittleMe
Trinket Bag
This bag features special loops that intertwine to elegantly close and transform into a wristletis as versatile as it is stylish. Size Approximately 9" high x 26" around. Super bulky weight yarn. Designed by Deja Joy
Wrist Bag
A functional and stylish everyday knot bag is the optimal size for phone, keys, makeup, and other essentials. Size Height 18m / 7 inches (without handle). T-shirt yarn. Designed by TimeToKnitNZ
Lupiini Knot Bag
Wrist pouch or dice bag knit with a colorful slipped stitch pattern using a self-striping yarn and a contrasting solid. Size Diameter 12 cm, Height 14cm. Aran weight yarn. Designed by KaarnikkaDesign
Japanese Knot Bag
This is one of the few knot bags I've seen that is worked flat. It's also unusual for it's large tote purse size. Skill Level: Beginner. Worked flat, using basic knitting skills. Size 31cm/12" x 31cm/12", strap length adjustable. Quick knit in super bulky weight yarn. Designed by CamexiaDesigns
Japanese Knot Purse
Two color knot bag with a basketweave texture that is closed by pulling the two handles through an opening. Size appr. 30 x 40 cm. / 12 x 16 in. DK weight yarn. Designed by WoolAffair
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