Pattern for Fish and Chips

Here's the pattern for Fish and Chips. As usual if anyone has a problem with anything please email me as I am a newbie to this writing things down idea!!


Fish and Chips cabled handbag


Materials
Chunky weight wool , I used Wendy Sarto 4 x 50g balls
Size US 9 , 5.5mm needles.
Lining Fabric
4 x Large Buttons
3 large press studs
Plastic mesh to line the base. (I used the sort you use in the base of cupboards, quite stiff stuff)
Small half round shank buttons for base ‘nobbles’
Gauge
10sts x 10 rows for 2 ¼” x 2 ¼”

Pattern

Main part
Cast on 78 sts
Row 1: (K1 p1) 3 times, K6, P2,K6, P2, k5, P1, K1, P1, (K1 P1) 9 times, P1,K1, P1, K5, P2, K6, P2, K6,(K1 P1) 3 times.
Row 2: (K1, P1) 3 times, P6, K2, P6, K2, P5, K1, P1, K1, (K1, P1) 9 times, K1, P1, K1, P5, K2, P6,K2, P6, (K1, P1) 3 times.
Row 3: as row 1
Row 4: as row 2
Row 5: (K1 p1) 3 times, K6, P2, cable 6 Back, P2, k5, P1, K1, P1, (K1 P1) 9 times, P1,K1, P1, K5, P2, cable 6 front, P2, K6,(K1 P1) 3 times.
Row 6: as row 2

These 6 rows form the pattern. Continue with these until your bag is as wide as you would like it. Mine is 12”.

If you don’t know how to cable:
When the pattern says Cable 6 back....... Slip the first 3 sts onto a cable needle and put to the back of your work. Then knit the next 3 sts. Bring the cable needle up again and knit the 3 sts off the needle. This twists the cable one way.
When the pattern says Cable 6 front.......Slip the first 3 sts onto a cable needle and put to the front of your work. Then knit the next 3 sts. Bring the cable needle up again and knit the 3 sts off the needle. This twists the cable the other way.

Straps
Cast on 10 sts.
Work in SS for 15”.

Sides
Cast on 20sts
Row 1: (K1,P1) 4 times, K1, P2, K1(P1, K1) 4 times.
Row 2: (K1, P1) 4 times, K4,(P1, K1) 4 times.
Repeat these 2 rows till work measures 4 ½”.
Cast off.

The knit side of the SS line should make the piece fold in on itself a bit so that they don’t ‘puff out’ the sides of the bag. The reverse of the SS line is the right side.

To make up:
First cut your lining fabric to fit the main part and cut 2 pieces for side gussets (leaving a seam allowance to turn under)
Stitch bottom of gusset to base of bag using whatever stitch you prefer, then stitch up the sides to form boxy shape. The top moss stitch edges of the main part should be above the gusset top. Stitch down the SS line of the sides to about halfway to pinch them in a bit.

Cut a piece of plastic mesh to fit the base and place inside the bag.

Pin your lining in the sides first and then the main part. Slip stitch in place catching the sides to the main as you go (this is a little bit awkward so if you have a better idea please do it!!)
Stitch shank buttons to base of bag going through to lining so that it holds the mesh and the lining in place and hides the shank of the button in the knitting giving the appearance of ‘studs’.

Slip stitch the handles down the long edges and stitch to bag, going up the handles to ½” from top edge.
Stitch large buttons on, to hide where you have stitched the handles to the bag.
Stitch 3 press studs along top edge to fasten.

If anyone wants me to email the pattern in Microsoft Works format just say. It may be easier to print like that.