Free Knitting Pattern: Knitted Yarn Bag — Plus 1,500+ Inspiring Free Patterns at Hobbii.com
There is something deeply satisfying about carrying your knitting supplies in a bag you made yourself. A knitted yarn bag is one of those projects that sits at the perfect crossroads of practicality and creativity — it is beautiful enough to show off, sturdy enough to carry your work-in-progress, and personal enough to feel like an extension of your craft. Whether you are heading to a knitting circle, a café, or simply moving from room to room at home, a handknitted bag makes every journey feel a little more intentional.
In this post, you will find a complete free knitting pattern for a classic knitted yarn bag, along with everything you need to know to get started — from materials and gauge to step-by-step instructions and finishing tips. And if this pattern leaves you hungry for more, we will also point you toward the extraordinary collection of over 1,500 free patterns waiting for you at Hobbii.com, one of the most beloved yarn shops in the knitting world.
Why Knit Your Own Yarn Bag?
Before we dive into the pattern, let us take a moment to appreciate why this project is worth your time.
First, a knitted bag is endlessly customizable. You can choose colors that match your personality, adjust the size to fit your current project, and add handles, pockets, or embellishments that make it entirely your own. No two knitted bags are ever quite the same, and that is the whole point.
Second, knitting a bag is a wonderful way to use up leftover yarn. If you have been accumulating scraps from other projects — and honestly, who has not — this is a perfect opportunity to put them to use. A multi-colored striped bag or a patchwork-style design can look absolutely stunning while clearing out your stash at the same time.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, a bag knitted in a tight stitch pattern or with chunky yarn has real structural integrity. It can hold skeins of wool, project pouches, scissors, stitch markers, and all the other small essentials that tend to scatter across the bottom of an ordinary tote. You are not just making something pretty; you are making something genuinely useful.
About This Pattern
This free knitting pattern creates a roomy, structured yarn bag with double handles, a garter stitch base for stability, and a simple stockinette body that works beautifully in both solid and variegated yarns. It is knitted flat and seamed, which makes it ideal for beginner-to-intermediate knitters who are comfortable with casting on, knitting, purling, and basic shaping. The finished bag measures approximately 35 cm wide and 30 cm tall (excluding handles), making it a generous size for carrying a full project.
Materials
To make this knitted yarn bag, you will need the following:
Yarn: Approximately 300–350 grams of a chunky or bulky weight yarn (Hobbii’s Extrafine Merino 200 Bulky or Hobbii’s Highland Wool are both excellent choices and available in a wide range of colors). You can also use two strands of a DK or worsted weight yarn held together for a similar effect.
Needles: 6 mm straight or circular needles (or as needed to achieve gauge)
Notions: Stitch markers, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and optionally a lining fabric if you want extra structure inside the bag.
Gauge: 14 stitches and 20 rows = 10 cm in stockinette stitch. As always with a bag, gauge is more important for size than for drape, so take the time to knit a swatch and adjust your needle size accordingly.
Abbreviations
Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used:
CO — cast on
K — knit
P — purl
St(s) — stitch(es)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
BO — bind off
Rep — repeat
PM — place marker
Sl m — slip marker
Pattern Instructions
Base of the Bag
The base is knitted first, then stitches are picked up around all four sides to create the body. This gives the bag a lovely flat bottom that holds its shape even when filled.
CO 20 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K across.
Row 2 (WS): K across.
Continue in garter stitch (knitting every row) until the base measures 10 cm from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. Do not bind off. Leave stitches on the needle.
Picking Up Stitches for the Body
With RS facing, you will now pick up stitches along all four sides of the base to begin knitting the body in the round. If you are using circular needles, this section works best on a 60 cm or 80 cm circular.
Pick up and knit along the long right edge of the base: approximately 14 sts.
Knit across the live sts from the needle: 20 sts.
Pick up and knit along the long left edge: approximately 14 sts.
Pick up and knit along the cast-on edge: 20 sts.
Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round. You should have approximately 68 sts total. Adjust slightly depending on your gauge — what matters is that the stitch count is divisible by 4 and sits comfortably around the base.
Body of the Bag
Round 1: K all sts.
Round 2: K all sts.
Continue knitting every round (stockinette in the round) until the body measures 28 cm from the base pick-up row.
If you would like to add a stripe sequence, this is the time to do so. A simple stripe pattern of 4 rounds in color A followed by 4 rounds in color B creates a cheerful, rhythmic effect that looks far more complex than it actually is. You can carry the unused yarn loosely up the inside of the bag, or cut and rejoin as you prefer.
Handle Openings
At this point, you will create the openings for the handles by working a short bind-off and cast-on sequence.
On the next round, work as follows:
K 8, BO 10 sts, K 24, BO 10 sts, K to end of round.
On the following round, CO 10 sts over each of the bound-off sections using the backward loop method (or any cast-on you prefer). This recreates the stitch count and forms a neat opening through which the handles will eventually be threaded or attached.
Continue knitting in the round for 4 more rounds, then bind off all stitches loosely.
Handles
Each handle is knitted separately.
CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): K across.
Row 2 (WS): K2, P4, K2.
Repeat these two rows until the handle measures 50 cm (or your preferred length — some knitters prefer a shorter 40 cm shoulder handle or a longer 60 cm tote-style strap). Bind off.
Make two handles.
Fold each handle in half lengthwise and seam along the long edge using mattress stitch to create a rounded, firm strap. Thread each handle through the openings created during the handle opening section, or sew them securely to the inside top of the bag using a tapestry needle and a length of yarn. Work several passes back and forth to ensure the handles are firmly attached before weaving in ends.
Finishing
Weave in all ends carefully. If your yarn has any elasticity, a gentle wet block can help the bag settle into a beautiful, even shape. Fill it with a towel or a rolled piece of fabric while it dries to encourage the bag to maintain its structure.
If you would like to add a lining — highly recommended if you plan to carry heavier items — cut a piece of cotton fabric slightly smaller than the interior dimensions of the bag, fold the edges under by 1 cm, and slip-stitch it to the inside using a sewing needle and matching thread. A lining protects your knitting from sharp stitch markers, scissors, and anything else lurking inside.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to different tastes and needs.
Add a pocket: Before seaming the body of the bag, knit a small rectangle in any stitch pattern you like — seed stitch looks particularly lovely — and sew it to the inside front panel. It is perfect for holding your phone, stitch markers, or a small notebook.
Try a different stitch pattern: Seed stitch, moss stitch, or a simple cable panel all work beautifully for the body of this bag. They add texture and visual interest and help the bag hold its structure even better than plain stockinette.
Use a contrasting color for the handles: A bold, contrasting color on the handles can turn a simple bag into something that looks intentionally designed and fashion-forward.
Add a button closure: Knit a simple i-cord loop at the center of the bind-off edge on one side, and sew a large wooden button to the opposite side. A wooden button looks especially natural against a woolen bag.
Felting: If you use a 100% non-superwash animal fiber yarn, you can felt the finished bag in the washing machine for a dense, durable, and wonderfully rustic result. Felt down to the size you want before cutting the handle openings, as felting shrinks the bag considerably.
Choosing Your Yarn
The yarn you choose will define the look and feel of this bag more than almost any other decision you make. For a classic, natural look, a woolen or semi-woolen spun yarn in a neutral earthy tone is hard to beat. For something more playful, a bright variegated yarn will do most of the decorative work for you with minimal effort. For a bag with extra durability, look for yarns that contain a percentage of nylon or cotton, as these fibers add abrasion resistance and help the bag hold its shape through heavy use.
Hobbii carries an extraordinary range of yarns suited for exactly this kind of project, from their popular Highland Wool to their soft merino blends and their practical, everyday cotton and cotton-blend options. Browsing their collection is, honestly, a joy in itself — and it is the kind of joy that tends to result in a much fuller yarn stash.
Discover 1,500+ Free Knitting Patterns at Hobbii.com
If you have enjoyed this free pattern, you are going to love what is waiting for you at Hobbii.com. Hobbii is a Scandinavian yarn company with a passionate community of knitters and crocheters behind it, and one of the things that makes them genuinely special is their commitment to making beautiful patterns accessible to everyone. Their free pattern library contains over 1,500 designs, and it continues to grow regularly.
Whether you are looking for your next cozy sweater, a delicate lace shawl, a colorful pair of socks, a baby blanket for a new arrival, a set of home accessories, or another bag project to add to your collection, Hobbii’s free pattern library has something for every skill level and every style. The patterns are thoughtfully written, clearly photographed, and designed specifically to work with the yarns available in their shop — which makes matching a pattern to the perfect yarn genuinely effortless.
Beyond the patterns themselves, Hobbii has built a wonderfully warm and welcoming community. Their website features tutorials, technique guides, and inspiration from knitters all over the world. Whether you are a complete beginner picking up needles for the first time or an experienced maker looking for something to challenge your skills, you will find a place in their world.
It is also worth mentioning that Hobbii ships internationally, their yarn prices are genuinely competitive, and they run regular sales and seasonal collections that make stocking up feel like a treat rather than an extravagance. Many knitters, once they discover Hobbii, find it hard to shop anywhere else — and it is easy to understand why.
To explore all 1,500+ free patterns, simply head to Hobbii.com, navigate to the patterns section, and filter by category, skill level, yarn weight, or the specific yarn you have on hand. The search tools are intuitive and make it easy to find exactly what you are in the mood for, whether you have a specific project in mind or you are simply looking to be inspired.
A Few Final Tips for Knitting Success
Before you cast on, here are a few practical thoughts to carry with you into this project.
Knit a gauge swatch. It takes twenty minutes and can save you from making a bag that is either too tiny to be useful or so large it becomes unwieldy. A gauge swatch is always worth the time.
Read through the full pattern before you begin. It is always easier to understand the flow of a project when you have the whole picture in mind. There are no surprises in this pattern, but knowing what is coming helps you knit with more confidence.
Use stitch markers generously. Marking the beginning of rounds, the edges of handle openings, and the corners of the base will save you from having to count constantly and will make the knitting feel faster and more enjoyable.
Do not rush the finishing. Seaming, weaving in ends, and blocking are the steps that elevate a knitted project from handmade to beautifully crafted. They are worth every minute.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. There is something meditative and deeply pleasurable about knitting a bag, especially one that will go on to hold so many future projects. Every stitch is a small investment in future creative joy, and that is a lovely thing to think about as you work.
Ready to Cast On?
Your knitted yarn bag is just a cast-on away. Gather your yarn, find your needles, pour yourself something warm, and settle in. This is a project that rewards you twice: once in the making, and then again every single time you pick it up to carry your knitting out into the world.
And when you are finished and ready for your next project, remember that Hobbii.com has more than 1,500 free patterns waiting to inspire you. From simple beginner-friendly designs to intricate showpieces that will challenge and delight experienced knitters, there is always something new to discover, always another reason to cast on.
Happy knitting.
