Mischa bag

Mischa bag is the second of my patterns to be published in The Knitter this year.

Inspired by print fabric

I love the combination of inky blues and earthy colours that were popular on 1970s print fabric.

I used three slip stitch patterns to mix colour and texture. Slip stitch patterns look complex, but are easy to do, since only one colour is used per row. They are great for someone who would love to try colour knitting, but thinks Fair Isle style knitting looks difficult.

One of my favourite yarns

I chose one of my favourite yarns, Spindrift from Jamieson’s of Shetland. Jamieson’s produce their yarn from wool from native Shetland sheep bought from local crofters. Every process in the production of this yarn is carried out at Jamieson’s mill in Sandness on Shetland, so this yarn has few yarn miles in manufacture.

Spindrift is available in over 200 different shades, so it would be easy to come up with another combination. I’m thinking about a Mischa in the undyed shades with Moorit as the main colour and Mogit, Mooskit and Eesit for contrast. Or what about Loganberry as the main colour, along with Anemone, Violet and Plum? Be warned, though; it could take you as long to choose your colours as to knit it!

Mischa details

This bag measures 28 cm wide by 30 cm long, with a shoulder strap of 80 cm.

You will need 2.50 mm needles for the top borders and facings and 3.00 mm needles for the rest. Firstly, you work the identical front and back in rows, together with a narrow top facing. You work the strap and gusset in one piece, in the round, starting from a provisional cast-on. Finally, you join the front and back to the strap/gusset using a three-needle cast-off to create a seamless bag.

I chose a blue cotton fabric for the lining and attached the lining to the knitted bag using slip stitch.