Entrelac bag

One of the great things about knitting is that you are always coming across new things, like this entrelac bag in self-striping yarn, for example. Even if you've used this technique before it is unlikely you've tried it with a patterned yarn. The length between the colour changes makes King Cole Riot Chunky the perfect choice for this bag. Each coloured block looks like it has been deliberately placed, but really the yarn has done all the work. Online yarn store Wool n Stuff stocks 13 shades of King Cole Riot Chunky. It costs £3.55 per 100g (134m) ball, call 01924 252367 or visit http://www.woolnstuff.co.uk to order yours!

Using 6mm needles cast on 60 sts
❑ Row 1 (RS): k1, turn
❑ Row 2: p1, turn
❑ Row 3: sl 1, k1, turn
❑ Row 4: p2, turn
❑ Row 5: sl 1, k2, turn
❑ Row 6: p3, turn
❑ Cont as set until Row 11: sl 1, k5, do NOT turn Rows 1-11 form first base triangle
❑ Rep Rows 1-11 across rest of cast on sts. Ten base triangles

NOTE: this row makes eight right-slanting diamondshaped blocks, with a triangle at each end

LEFT SIDE TRIANGLE

❑ Row 1 (WS): k1, turn
❑ Row 2: kfb, turn
❑ Row 3: k1, p2tog with first st of next base triangle, turn
❑ Row 4 and all foll RS rows: k to last st, m1, k1, turn
❑ Row 5: k1, p to last st of triangle, p2tog, turn
❑ Rows 6-11: rep Rows 4 and 5, do NOT turn after last row Rows 1-11 form Left side triangle

RIGHT-SLANTING DIAMONDS

❑ Row 1 (WS): pick up and p six sts along edge of next base triangle, sl last picked up st onto LH needle, p2tog with first st of next base triangle, turn
❑ Row 2: k to end, turn
❑ Row 3: sl 1, p to last st of diamond, p2tog, turn
❑ Row 4: k to end, turn
❑ Rows 5-11: rep Rows 3 and 4 then Row 3 again, do NOT turn after last row
❑ Rep Rows 1-11 across row to create seven more diamonds

RIGHT SIDE TRIANGLE
❑ Row 1 (WS): pick up and p six sts along edge of next base triangle, turn
❑ Row 2: k6, turn
❑ Row 3: sl 1, p3, k2tog, turn
❑ Row 4: k5, turn
❑ Row 5: sl 1, p2, k2tog, turn
❑ Row 6: k4, turn
❑ Row 7: sl 1, p1, k2tog, turn
❑ Row 8: k3, turn
❑ Row 9: sl 1, k2tog, turn
❑ Row 10: k2, turn
❑ Row 11: k2tog, turn
Transfer rem st to RH needle

NOTE: this row makes ten left slanting diamondshaped blocks, there are no edge triangles. First st is already on RH needle for first diamond
❑ Row 1 (RS): pick up and k six sts along edge of next triangle or diamond, sl last picked up st onto LH needle, ssk, turn
❑ Row 2: p6, turn
❑ Row 3: sl 1, k4, ssk, turn
❑ Row 4: p6, turn
❑ Rows 5-11: rep Rows 3 and 4, then Row 3 again, do NOT turn after last row
❑ Rep Rows 1-11 across row to create nine more diamonds
❑ Rep First and Second rows of blocks eleven more times, then First row again

❑ Row 1 (RS): pick up and k six sts along edge of next triangle or diamond, sl last picked up st to LH needle, ssk, turn
❑ Row 2: p6, turn
❑ Row 3: k2tog, k3, ssk, turn
❑ Row 4: p5, turn
❑ Row 5: k2tog, k2, ssk, turn
❑ Row 6: p4, turn
❑ Row 7: k2tog, k1, ssk, turn
❑ Row 8: p3, turn
❑ Row 9: k2tog, ssk, turn
❑ Row 10: p2, turn
❑ Row 11: sl 1, ssk, psso, do
NOT turn
Last st counts as first st of next triangle
❑ When all triangles have been worked, cast off last st

Side gusset and handle
(WORKED AS ONE PIECE)

Using 4mm needles cast on 14 sts
❑ Row 1: * k1, yfwd, sl 1 pwise, yb, rep from * to end of row
❑ Row 2: * p1, yb, sl 1 pwise, yfwd, rep from * to end of row
❑ Rep Rows 1 and 2 until strap meas 54cm or length required
Sew side gusset in place (five triangles down one side, one triangle along bottom edge and five triangles up other side. Stitch side gusset in place for second side. Fold over remaining flap

Buttonhole flaps
(MAKE TWO)
Using 4mm needles cast on ten sts
❑ Work in patt as for Side gusset until flap meas 7cm ending with a patt Row 2
❑ Next row: patt 3, cast off four sts [one st on RH needle after gap], patt 2. Six sts
❑ Next row: patt 3, cast on four sts, patt 3. Ten sts
❑ Work four more rows in patt
❑ Cast off

Stitch buttonhole flaps to edge of fold over flap. Sew on buttons to match buttonholes.

Click any of the images below to see a larger, clearer shot

Pierre: 40cm wide x 28cm high