Inspiration
A Guide to the MDK Bag Shop
We know this to be true: bags and totes are a subjective thing. Like, totally subjective. That’s why we stock eight different bags in the MDK Shop.
Investment piece or impulse splurge? Big or small? Leather or fabric? Shoulder strap or crossbody? No strap at all? Zippers?
To make it easy for you, herewith please find our guide to MDK’s bags and totes.
We are obviously completely unobjective about them all, but we’re going to pretend like this is an actual pro-and-con evaulation, so here we go. (Bag names are links to the product pages.) (So you can order them.) (Do I really need to say this?) (Probably not.)
(And PS to subscribers—your new December coupon code saves you 10% on all these bags. Check your email!)
Stasher Tote
Pro: It’s by Joji and Co., the cult favorite brand. Made by hand in a workshop in Buenos Aires, the Stasher Tote is one of the largest Joji and Co. designs, a real weekender.
This design is a collaboration between MDK and Joji and Co.
The leather is textured, extremely sturdy, will last forever.
We brought in two colors: a rich Tobacco and a mood-lifting, sunny Yellow.
Inside, you can see the meticulous attention to detail. Really lovely. The zipper folds down to make this an open-top shopper when you’re in the mood. 
Con: It’s an investment. That said, it will last forever, and it’s worth every penny. Knowing the quality of Joji and Co. bags, we concluded it’s actually a reasonable price for what it is.
Also: the Stasher Tote has such a classic look, we had to bring it to the Holiday Shop.
Recoleta Bag
Pro: Colorful, fun, and beautifully made. Joji and Co. strikes again. The suede here combines with smooth leather for the handles and trim. Chef’s kiss! The five colors are all good.
Con: On the smallish side. That said, there are those amongst us (me) (Kay) who notoriously carry bags inside of other bags. This Recoleta Bag is particularly chic and thrives in open air environments.
Knitter’s Tote
Pro: The lightest weight, the biggest capacity, the sturdiest construction. This is it. This is the bag that Kay and I have carried since 2017. Julia Hilbrandt’s skill with industrial felt is on full display here. She makes each bag by hand, and they are sturdy as all get out. This year’s special color, vermilion, is an orange-red moment of zing. Dark gray and light gray are also available.
Con: It’s just kind of big. We can’t argue that. To us, the size is a positive, but maybe you don’t want to carry an eight-foot-long-blanket-in-progress the way we do.
Knitter’s City Bag
Pro: It’s a Knitter’s Tote, only smaller. Julia Hilbrandt’s distinctive design sensibility again, industrial felt, made by hand, holds a lot. Dark gray or light gray. With a detachable crossbody strap.
Con: It’s not as big as the Knitter’s Tote. One of those subjective things again, right?
Skill Set Tote
Pro: The folks at Baggu constantly cook up great bags. This Duck Bag has been in our Shop since Day 1 of MDK. The canvas is great looking, the construction clever, and the graphic is knitterly but not overbearingly so.
Con: I mean, if you have a canvas allergy, this bag is a problem. Otherwise, what’s not to love?
Bento Bag
Pro: A masterclass in design, a lovely bit of fabric made into a perfect container for your knitting projects. We love these so, so much. The current color in stock is Bluebonnet, shown here.
Con: No handles. Either tuck your Bento Bag into another bag (see five options above), or tie it to the end of a stick or whatever.
Skill Set Pouch
Pro: It’s just really cute. Uses: sock knitting project bag, notions and tools, snacks, landing zone for your elaborate collection of enamel pins.
Con: A poor choice if you’re not into things that are really cute.
Atlas Reusable Bag
Pro: Baggu strikes again. Extremely portable, these are what you take to the grocery store and the fiber festival. Hannah Jones’s drawing of MDK World Headquarters makes this a gentle reminder that you need to get to Nashville, soon.
Con: Holds only 22 skeins of MDK Atlas yarn (sold separately).
Hysterical!! “Con: If you are allergic to canvas…”
…”holds only 22 skeins…”
I do love bags and have a boatload. Most have a flood of memories attached, especially those that were made for me by gifted maker friends.
Love you all!
I have a plastic storage bin full of various knitting bags, totes, pouches, etc. My knitting room is adorned with about a dozen more holding works in progress. That said, I read this article very intently as if I needed to seriously comparison shop for a bag. What is this bag mania that knitters all seem to have?? LOL
I need another bag … not. But oh, the choices.
That yellow Stasher tote is heaven!!
I am saving the plant one plastic bag at a time. I carry the small Baggu bag in my purse and use it! Thank you MDK!
I have the Recoleta Bag and love it so much it has become my everyday purse!!
I am severely and I mean SEVERELY under-supplied in the bag department; my Knitter’s Tote is the bag of all work and it has blotted out the sun for other bags since 2017. Good thing I’m headed to Nashville this weekend.
That last bag can hold a few more skeins of Atlas. Just lay them on top of the others!
I now have 4 Recoleta bags, which I use as purses, and I received the stashed tote (in tobacco) just in time to use it on my Thanksgiving travels. Can you tell I love Joji’s bags?
I now have 4 Recoleta bags, which I use as purses, and I received the stashed tote (in tobacco) just in time to use it on my Thanksgiving travels. Can you tell I love Joji’s bags?
The Knitter’s Tote in vermillion is speaking to me, but I’m a very messy, spilly person. Can felt be cleaned?