Free Knot Bag Knitting Pattern: Make a Beautiful Textured Tote in Any Yarn You Love
There is something deeply satisfying about knitting a bag. Unlike a sweater that requires precise gauge or socks that demand hours of careful concentration, a knitted bag is forgiving, fast, and endlessly practical. You can toss it in your purse, carry it to the farmers market, stuff it with library books, or gift it to someone who will use it every single day. And when that bag features a beautiful knot stitch texture, it becomes something people will stop and ask you about wherever you go.
This free knot bag knitting pattern walks you through every step of creating a gorgeous, sturdy tote with a raised, dimensional knot stitch texture that looks incredibly complex but is surprisingly beginner-friendly once you get the hang of it. Whether you are a seasoned knitter looking for a quick and satisfying project or someone who has just graduated from scarves and dishcloths, this pattern is a wonderful choice.
Pull out that skein of chunky yarn you have been saving for the right project, because this is it.
What Is a Knot Stitch and Why Does It Work So Well for Bags?
Before diving into the pattern itself, it helps to understand what a knot stitch actually is, because it is one of those techniques that sounds intimidating until you try it once and immediately wonder why you were ever afraid.
A knot stitch is created by working into a stitch multiple times — typically three times — before slipping the original stitch off the needle. This creates a little gathered cluster of yarn that pops forward from the fabric surface, giving you that beautiful bobble-like texture. Unlike a full bobble, which can take several rows to complete and requires turning your work back and forth within a single stitch, a knot stitch is completed all in one row. You do not need to turn, purl back, or count extra rows. You just work into the stitch three times, slip it off, and move on.
For bags specifically, this stitch is ideal for a few reasons. First, the tight, gathered clusters add density and structure to the fabric, which means your bag will hold its shape better than a plain stockinette bag would. Second, the texture creates a beautiful visual interest that makes even a single-color bag look like it took tremendous skill and artistry. Third, because the stitch creates a slightly thicker fabric, it is more durable and will stand up to regular use, which is exactly what you want from something you plan to carry around daily.
Materials You Will Need
This pattern is written for a medium-to-large tote bag with a finished size of approximately 13 inches wide and 14 inches tall, not including the handles. You can easily adjust the size by casting on more or fewer stitches in multiples of four.
Yarn: Approximately 350 to 400 yards of bulky or super bulky yarn, weight 5 or 6. A wool blend or a cotton-acrylic blend works beautifully for this project. If you want a softer, drapier bag, choose a yarn with a higher acrylic or bamboo content. If you want structure and slight stiffness, go with cotton or a cotton blend. 100% wool will felt slightly with use, which can actually be a lovely effect for bags but is worth being aware of. Some beautiful options include Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Paintbox Simply Chunky, or Cascade 128 Superwash.
Needles: US size 10 (6mm) circular needles, 24 to 32 inches long, or straight needles if you prefer to work flat. If your gauge is tight, go up to a 10.5. The goal is a fabric that has enough structure to hold a bag shape without being stiff or difficult to work through.
Notions: Stitch markers, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and optional: a bag lining fabric and basic sewing supplies if you want to add a sewn interior.
Gauge: Approximately 12 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches in stockinette. Gauge is not critical for this project, but if your fabric is coming out very loose and floppy, go down a needle size.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
CO — Cast on
BO — Bind off
K — Knit
P — Purl
KS — Knot stitch (instructions below)
K2tog — Knit two together
PM — Place marker
SM — Slip marker
RS — Right side
WS — Wrong side
Rep — Repeat
St(s) — Stitch(es)
Rnd — Round
How to Work the Knot Stitch (KS)
Here is the key technique for this entire bag, so read through it carefully before you begin knitting, and practice it on a small swatch if you have never done it before.
To work a knot stitch: Insert your right needle into the next stitch knitwise. Wrap the yarn and pull through a loop, but do not slip the stitch off the left needle. Bring the yarn to the front between the needles as if to purl. Insert the right needle into the same stitch again purlwise and pull through another loop. Bring the yarn to the back. Insert the right needle into the same stitch one final time knitwise and pull through a third loop. Now slip the original stitch off the left needle. You have three new loops on your right needle from a single original stitch. On the next row or round, these three loops are worked together as one stitch.
Wait — that last part is important. After you work a knot stitch row, the following row treats the group of three stitches as a single unit. You will knit all three together on the right side, or purl all three together on the wrong side, depending on whether you are working flat or in the round. This is what pulls the cluster tight and creates that raised, knotted look.
Once you have practiced the KS a few times on a swatch, you will find your own rhythm. Most knitters report that it feels slightly awkward the first five or six times and then clicks into a motion that feels almost automatic.
Pattern Instructions
Cast On and Bottom of Bag
Using your preferred cast on method — long-tail cast on is recommended for its elasticity — cast on 80 stitches. If you are working in the round, join to work in the round and place a marker for the beginning of round. If you are working flat and seaming later, you will work back and forth in rows.
Rounds 1 through 6: Knit every round (or knit on RS, purl on WS if working flat). This creates a clean, slightly rolled or ribbed base that gives the bottom of the bag structure.
Knot Stitch Body
This is where the magic happens. The knot stitch pattern is worked over four-stitch repeats, and the sequence alternates between a knot row and a rest row so your fabric has time to settle between the texture rounds.
Round 7 (Knot Round): K1, KS, K2 — repeat from to to end of round.
Round 8 (Rest Round): K1, K3tog (knitting the three knot loops together), K2 — repeat to end of round. You are back to your original 80 stitches.
Round 9: Knit all stitches.
Round 10 (Offset Knot Round): K3, KS — repeat to end of round. This offsets the knots from the previous round, creating a more even, all-over texture rather than vertical columns.
Round 11 (Rest Round): K3, K3tog — repeat to end of round.
Round 12: Knit all stitches.
Repeat rounds 7 through 12 until the bag body measures approximately 12 inches from the cast-on edge, or your desired length. For a standard tote, this will take about 5 to 6 full pattern repeats depending on your gauge and yarn weight.
Top Edging
Work 4 rounds of knit stitches to create a clean, flat band at the top of the bag. This also gives you a neat edge for the handle attachment.
Optional ribbing: Instead of a plain knit band, you can work K2, P2 ribbing for 6 rounds for a slightly more finished look. This is especially nice if you are using a non-stretchy cotton yarn.
Bind off loosely in pattern.
Handles
This pattern uses knitted I-cord handles, which are durable, have a nice round profile, and blend beautifully with the texture of the bag body. You will make two handles.
To make I-cord: Using double-pointed needles or one end of a circular needle, cast on 4 stitches. Knit these 4 stitches. Without turning your work, slide the stitches to the other end of the needle so the working yarn is at the back left. Pull the yarn firmly across the back and knit the 4 stitches again. Repeat this process — always sliding the stitches back and knitting from right to left — until the I-cord measures 22 to 24 inches, or your preferred handle length.
Make two handles of equal length.
To attach, fold each handle end down about an inch and sew it securely to the inside top edge of the bag using a tapestry needle and yarn. Position the handles about 3 inches in from each side edge. Sew through the handle attachment multiple times in a square or cross pattern for maximum security. Handles take a lot of stress when the bag is full, so taking an extra minute to reinforce this attachment is always worthwhile.
Alternative handles: If you prefer, you can use leather bag handles with d-rings, pre-made webbing handles, or thick cotton rope handles. These are widely available at craft stores and online. Attach them using a whip stitch or by threading through small grommets if you want a more polished, structured look.
Finishing the Bag
If you worked the bag flat, seam the sides using mattress stitch or your preferred seaming method. Mattress stitch creates an almost invisible seam that will not add bulk or irritate your shoulder when you carry the bag.
Weave in all ends thoroughly using a tapestry needle. For bags, it is especially important to weave in ends in multiple directions so they do not work loose over time with use and washing.
Block the bag lightly by dampening it with a spray bottle, shaping it by hand, and allowing it to dry flat. This evens out the knot stitches and gives the bag a more professional, finished appearance.
Optional Lining
A fabric lining is not strictly necessary for this bag, but it significantly extends the life of the bag and keeps small items like keys and coins from slipping through the fabric. It also prevents the interior from stretching when the bag is weighted with heavy items.
Cut two rectangles of lining fabric slightly smaller than your finished bag dimensions — about half an inch shorter and narrower on each side. With right sides facing, sew the two rectangles together along the bottom and two sides using a sewing machine or hand stitching. Fold the top edge down by half an inch and press. Insert the lining into the bag with wrong sides facing each other, and whip stitch the top edge of the lining to the inside of the bag’s top edge, just below the bound-off row. A cotton quilting fabric, canvas, or upholstery fabric all work well for this purpose.
Yarn Substitutions and Color Ideas
One of the greatest things about this pattern is how versatile it is. The knot stitch texture looks striking in a single solid color, where every raised cluster catches the light and creates its own shadow. It also looks extraordinary in semi-solid or tonal yarns, where the color variation adds depth to the texture. Hand-dyed indie yarns in colorways with blue, green, and gray shifts are particularly stunning with this stitch pattern.
If you want something more playful, try a variegated or self-striping yarn. The color changes will break across the knot clusters in unexpected ways that create an almost mosaic-like effect.
For a neutral bag that goes with everything, try an oatmeal, natural cream, warm taupe, or classic charcoal. These colors are timeless and will not clash with any outfit.
For a statement bag, a deep jewel tone like burgundy, forest green, or navy creates a rich, sophisticated look that photographs beautifully and feels luxurious in the hand.
Sizing Modifications
To make a smaller market bag or project bag: Cast on 60 stitches and work the body to 10 inches.
To make a large beach bag or grocery tote: Cast on 100 stitches and work the body to 16 inches. You may want to use even chunkier yarn for this size to keep the project manageable.
To make a clutch or small pouch: Cast on 40 stitches and work the body to 8 inches. Omit handles and add a button or snap closure.
All modifications should keep your stitch count in a multiple of four to maintain the pattern repeat.
Caring for Your Knot Bag
How you care for your finished bag will depend on the fiber content of your yarn. Most wool and wool-blend bags should be hand washed in cool water with a gentle wool wash, pressed (not wrung) to remove excess water, and laid flat to dry. Cotton and cotton-blend bags can often tolerate a gentle machine wash cycle in a mesh laundry bag.
If your bag loses its shape over time, a light blocking session with water and reshaping by hand will restore it beautifully.
Why Knitted Bags Make the Best Handmade Gifts
If you are making this bag for someone else, you are giving them something genuinely useful. Tote bags have become an essential part of most people’s daily lives, and a handmade one carries a warmth and personality that a store-bought bag simply cannot replicate. The recipient knows that someone sat down, chose yarn specifically for them, learned a new stitch, and spent hours creating something with their hands. That is not a bag. That is an heirloom in progress.
This pattern also makes an excellent project for knitters who want to expand their skills. If you have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and want to try your first textured technique, the knot stitch is a perfect next step. It is repetitive enough to feel satisfying and meditative once you get going, and the finished result looks professional enough to make you genuinely proud.
Final Tips Before You Cast On
Keep your tension consistent throughout, especially on the rest rounds where you are knitting three stitches together. If those stitches feel very tight, try picking up all three through the back loop to ease the tension.
Count your stitches at the end of every rest round. Because the knot stitch temporarily adds stitches before you decrease them back down, it is easy to accidentally miss a K3tog and find yourself with extra stitches.
Take your time on the first pattern repeat. The second one will feel faster. The third will feel easy. By the fourth, you will be knitting while watching television and chatting with friends without missing a stitch.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. There is something genuinely joyful about watching a textured fabric grow under your hands, round by round, knowing that the object taking shape will be carried out into the world and used. Cast on, settle in, and knit yourself something beautiful.
