purlJam

<pattern>
# THE SCRUNCHIE BAG
## A Gathered Drawstring Bag with Textured Detail

A sophisticated drawstring bag featuring a gathered "scrunchie" top and textured stitch patterns. This roomy bag cinches closed with an I-cord drawstring, creating beautiful gathers at the opening. Perfect for carrying your knitting projects, market finds, or everyday essentials. The construction includes optional lining instructions for a professional finish.

**Finished Measurements:**
- Base diameter: approximately 6.5" (16.5 cm)
- Height (before gathering): 12" (30.5 cm)
- Circumference at widest point: 26.5" (67 cm)
- Height when cinched: approximately 10" (25.5 cm)

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn
- **Main Color (MC):** 350 yards (320 m)
- **Optional Contrasting Color (CC) for I-cord:** 25 yards (23 m)

*Sample shown in Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 220 yards/200 m per 100g skein)*

**Needles:**
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needle for base and body
- US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles or long circular for magic loop (for decreases and I-cord)
- US 6 (4 mm) 16" circular needle for base ribbing (optional, for tighter base)

**Notions:**
- Stitch markers (1 BOR marker, 4 section markers)
- Tapestry needle
- Locking stitch markers or safety pins
- Optional: 1/2 yard fabric for lining, sewing needle and thread

**Gauge:**
18 stitches × 24 rounds = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch in the round, blocked

**Gauge for Seed Stitch Pattern:**
18 stitches × 26 rounds = 4" (10 cm), blocked

*Gauge is crucial for proper sizing. Take time to swatch and adjust needle size if necessary.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **BOR** – beginning of round
- **CC** – contrasting color
- **k** – knit
- **k2tog** – knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (1 stitch increased)
- **m** – marker
- **MC** – main color
- **p** – purl
- **pm** – place marker
- **rep** – repeat
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **RS** – right side
- **sm** – slip marker
- **ssk** – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **yo** – yarn over

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- This bag is worked in the round from the bottom up.
- The base begins with a small cast-on, then increases to create a flat circular base.
- The body is worked with increases to create fullness, then straight to the drawstring channel.
- An eyelet round creates the channel for the I-cord drawstring.
- The top section is gathered with decreases to create the "scrunchie" effect.
- Stitch counts are provided at key points for verification.

**Seed Stitch in the Round (worked over even number of sts):**
- **Rnd 1:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
- **Rnd 2:** *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
- Rep Rnds 1–2 for pattern.

**Broken Rib Pattern (multiple of 4 sts):**
- **Rnds 1–2:** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
- **Rnds 3–4:** Knit all sts.
- Rep Rnds 1–4 for pattern.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BASE

**Cast On and Initial Rounds:**

Using US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle or DPNs and MC, cast on 12 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place BOR marker.

**Rnd 1:** Kfb in each st around. **(24 sts)**

**Rnd 2 and all even rnds:** Knit.

**Rnd 3:** *Kfb, k1; rep from * to end. **(36 sts)**

**Rnd 5:** *Kfb, k2; rep from * to end. **(48 sts)**

**Rnd 7:** *Kfb, k3; rep from * to end. **(60 sts)**

**Rnd 9:** *Kfb, k4; rep from * to end. **(72 sts)**

**Rnd 11:** *Kfb, k5; rep from * to end. **(84 sts)**

**Rnd 13:** *Kfb, k13; rep from * to end. **(90 sts)**

**Rnds 14–18:** Knit (5 rnds).

*Base measures approximately 5" (12.5 cm) in diameter and should lie flat. If edges curl up, this is normal and will be corrected during blocking.*

---

### BODY INCREASES

The body is increased to create fullness and shape.

**Set-up Rnd:** *K15, pm; rep from * 5 more times (6 sections of 15 sts each, including BOR marker as one marker).

**Increase Rnd 1:** *Kfb, knit to 1 st before m, kfb, sm; rep from * 5 more times. **(102 sts: 17 sts per section)**
- Math check: 90 + 12 = 102 sts ✓

**Rnd 2:** Knit.

**Increase Rnd 3:** *Kfb, knit to 1 st before m, kfb, sm; rep from * 5 more times. **(114 sts: 19 sts per section)**
- Math check: 102 + 12 = 114 sts ✓

**Rnd 4:** Knit.

**Increase Rnd 5:** *Kfb, knit to 1 st before m, kfb, sm; rep from * 5 more times. **(126 sts: 21 sts per section)**
- Math check: 114 + 12 = 126 sts ✓

**Rnd 6:** Knit.

**Rnd 7 (adjustment):** *K2tog, knit to 1 st before m, ssk, sm; rep from * 3 times, knit to end of rnd. **(120 sts: sections now have 19, 19, 19, 19, 21, 21 sts)**
- Math check: 126 - 6 = 120 sts ✓
- This adjustment ensures stitch count is divisible by 4 for the Broken Rib pattern.

Remove all markers except BOR marker.

---

### BODY – BROKEN RIB SECTION

Work Broken Rib Pattern over 120 sts (multiple of 4).

**Rnds 1–2:** *K2, p2; rep from * to end.

**Rnds 3–4:** Knit.

Rep Rnds 1–4 a total of **8 times** (32 rnds).

Work Rnds 1–2 once more (2 rnds).

*Body measures approximately 6" (15 cm) from top of base.*

---

### BODY – SEED STITCH SECTION

Switch to Seed Stitch pattern.

**Rnd 1:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end.

**Rnd 2:** *P1, k1; rep from * to end.

Rep Rnds 1–2 a total of **12 times** (24 rnds).

*Body measures approximately 10" (25.5 cm) from top of base.*

---

### DRAWSTRING EYELET ROUND

This creates the channel for the I-cord drawstring.

**Eyelet Rnd:** *K2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k24; rep from * 3 more times, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk. **(120 sts maintained)**
- Math check: (2 + 2 + 2 + 24) × 4 + 5 = 120 sts ✓
- Each repeat creates 2 eyelets.

**Next Rnd:** Knit, working knit stitches into each yo from previous rnd.

---

### GATHERED TOP SECTION

This section creates the "scrunchie" effect with decreases.

**Rnds 1–4:** Work in Seed Stitch (maintaining pattern from previous section).

**Decrease Rnd 1:** *Ssk, work 18 sts in Seed Stitch pattern, k2tog; rep from * 5 more times. **(108 sts: 18 sts per section)**
- Math check: 120 - 12 = 108 sts ✓

**Rnds 2–4:** Work in Seed Stitch.

**Decrease Rnd 2:** *Ssk, work 14 sts in pattern, k2tog; rep from * 5 more times. **(96 sts: 16 sts per section)**
- Math check: 108 - 12 = 96 sts ✓

**Rnds 3–4:** Work in Seed Stitch.

**Decrease Rnd 3:** *Ssk, work 10 sts in pattern, k2tog; rep from * 5 more times, ssk, work 10 sts in pattern. **(84 sts: sections of 12 sts)**
- Math check: 96 - 12 = 84 sts ✓

**Rnd 4:** Work in Seed Stitch.

**Decrease Rnd 4:** *Ssk, work 8 sts in pattern, k2tog; rep from * 5 more times, ssk, work 8 sts in pattern. **(72 sts: sections of 10 sts)**
- Math check: 84 - 12 = 72 sts ✓

**Rnd 5:** Work in Seed Stitch.

**Decrease Rnd 5:** *Ssk, work 4 sts in pattern, k2tog; rep from * 5 more times, ssk, work 4 sts in pattern. **(60 sts: sections of 8 sts)**
- Math check: 72 - 12 = 60 sts ✓

**Rnds 6–8:** Work in Seed Stitch (3 rnds).

*Gathered top section measures approximately 3" (7.5 cm). Total bag height is approximately 13.5" (34 cm) before cinching.*

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### TOP EDGE

**Rnd 1:** *K1, p1; rep from * to end (ribbing).

**Rnd 2:** *P1, k1; rep from * to end.

Rep Rnds 1–2 once more (2 more rnds, 4 rnds total of ribbing).

Bind off all sts in pattern, leaving a 12" (30.5 cm) tail for weaving in.

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### I-CORD DRAWSTRING

Using US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs and CC (or MC), cast on 4 sts.

**Row 1:** Knit all sts. *Do not turn work.* Slide sts to opposite end of needle.

Rep Row 1, pulling yarn snugly across the back of the work, until I-cord measures **40"** (101.5 cm) or desired length (should be at least 1.5 times the circumference of the bag at the eyelet round).

Bind off. Weave in ends, trimming close.

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## FINISHING

### Weaving in Ends

Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the fabric using a tapestry needle. For the base, weave ends radially toward the center for a neat finish.

### Blocking

Wet block the bag to even out stitches and set the shape. Pin the base flat in a circle. Allow the body to dry naturally without stretching. The bag should measure approximately 6.5" (16.5 cm) base diameter and 13.5" (34 cm) tall when laid flat.

### Installing Drawstring

1. Thread the I-cord drawstring through the eyelet round. Begin at the center front of the bag.
2. Weave the I-cord through the eyelets, going around the entire circumference.
3. The two ends of the I-cord should meet at the starting point.
4. Tie the ends together with an overhand knot, or leave separate for adjustable gathering. You can add beads or tassels to the ends for embellishment.

### Optional: Fabric Lining

For added structure and to prevent items from poking through:

1. Measure the interior dimensions of your bag.
2. Cut fabric pieces: one circle for the base (add 1/2" seam allowance) and one rectangle for the body (width = circumference + 1", height = bag height + 1").
3. Sew the rectangle into a tube (right sides together), then attach the circular base.
4. Press the top edge under by 1/2".
5. Insert the lining into the bag (wrong sides together). Pin the top edge of the lining just below the eyelet round.
6. Using sewing needle and thread, whipstitch the lining to the inside of the bag, being careful not to let stitches show on the outside.

### Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed. Do not wring or twist. The I-cord drawstring can be removed before washing if desired.

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## DESIGN NOTES

This scrunchie-style bag features a gathered top that creates beautiful texture when cinched closed. The combination of Broken Rib and Seed Stitch patterns adds visual