Projects
My Moment of Zen: The Penrose Tote
Dear Ann,
Phew! After all our travels these past few weeks, it feels good to be home.
Remember when I left my one and only circular needle on the plane that I took to Chicago, and had to borrow (ahem: “borrow”) one from our friends at Rowan as they were packing up their h+h Americas trunk show? Good times! Thanks to the kindness of Rowan, I was able to knit during the flight home, which turned out to be both delay-ridden and followed by a late-night bus ride.
The project on my purloined pins: Olga Buraya-Kefelian’s Penrose Tote, from MDK Field Guide No. 24: Spark.
Photos: Elysa Weitala
If you’re looking for the most relaxing and portable pattern in Field Guide No. 24: Spark, the Penrose Tote is it. The texture pattern is one of those motifs that just feels good to knit. It’s quickly memorized, so you get the hang of it on the first repeat and just knit, knit, knit your way to a state of peace and enlightenment. It’s hard to believe that a simple knit-purl pattern can create this dimensional pleated effect. I find myself thinking about other possible applications of this reversible, flat fabric, especially cushions, blankets and mats.
The yarn? Rowan Handknit Cotton. Yes, I also cadged my Penrose Tote yarn from Rowan’s fiber buffet. I was lightening their load! I’m helpful like that!
The shade: Atlantic, a gentle blue.
I think you could make the Penrose Tote in almost any yarn, really. In smooth-but-sturdy Handknit Cotton, it’s going to be a perfect little project bag. I have a preference for the handle style on the small size bag—I like the way the short handle holds the long handle, closing the bag securely and letting you snug up the contents into a portable bundle. Suitable for dangling from a stick—or a wrist.
Improvisation alert! When I got home, I realized that two balls of Handknit Cotton would not get me all the way through one side of the bag, then the handles, then the other side of the bag, so I spliced in a ball of good old Rowan Original Denim from deep stash. (Thank you, kind re-homers of this discontinued yarn, I’m giving it a good home and I will definitely knit every last drop of it.)
Stay tuned, it’s going to look really cool.
It looks good with jeans.
For a glimpse of a Penrose Tote that has been knitted as written, here’s Cristina’s sunny version in Creative Linen.
The shade: Mustard.
Triangles, diamonds, pinwheels, and bigger diamonds—they’re all there in the pleats, if you stare long enough.
One detail that I didn’t fully appreciate until I started knitting the Penrose Tote myself is the way the stitch pattern continues uninterrupted on the handles. So elegant—another mark of Olga’s refined and knitterly sensibility. The handles are a repeat and a half wide, so it’s been a bit of a brain teaser for me to stay in pattern. My tip of the day: use the chart, and mark the center of the 14-stitch repeat on the chart so you know where you are turning back to knit the WS row.
Love,
Kay
That bag looks lovely, but doesn’t it stretch? I’ve avoided knitting bags because I worry that after the first time I put a couple of books, or some groceries in it the bag will go out of shape!
I had a crochet bag made out of cotton, & it ended up stretching to my knees 😀
That’s my question, too. I thought bags had to be lined, which is why I’ve never made one.
I need another project bag like I need a hole in my head…..I collect project bags and have a great many. However the handles are what made the decision to make this one. This is one that will get a lot of use.
Knitting is nothing if not discovery. I make the rules in my knitting den…only to discover 30 ways to break my rules before the passing of 30 days. So, now … I will be knitting bags after all. Intended as gifts, they will be in my hoard till the end days … because look at that pattern in those colors. So nice.
Hi Jill! I’ve made a number of knitted bags over the years, and stretch hasn’t bothered me. It’s the nature of knitted fabric to stretch, so I’m fine with that. It’s still beautiful even as it takes the shape of what’s inside. I lined one bag with a tea towel (bonus sentimental souvenir addition!) and that helps.
I loved knitting my Penrose tote!
I gifted mine, but will definitely make more, it was such a cool pattern to knit
I’m half way through the small tote in the bright blue (lapis?). Had to order more yarn which has arrived, but another project has jumped the line.
I plan to line mine and use it as a project bag.
Your timing is impeccable! Just last night, I divided for the handles and did not know what to do to stay in pattern while working them. I have copy pasted your chart-use tip into my knitCompanion and I’m excited to be able to begin work again today. Thank you so much!
I love the 2 color idea! You could even do stripes! You’re going to look very classy at the farmers market with yours!
I ordered the Creative Linen in the Raspberry and I believe Apple. Am waiting patiently for them to arrive, so I can get started. Love the pattern!!
Oooh Handknit Cotton, great idea! I’m swatching (aka getting to know the stitch pattern) in Creative Linen in Apple, one of my favorite-est of greens. This ingenious pattern puts the ‘fun’ in functional!
I am having trouble getting gauge for the small bag with a #4 needle. Will probably go down to a #3 or #2. Anyone else having the same problem? Using the organic sock and Chromium yarns. Look forward to your responses. TIA, Caryl
I was having trouble with gauge also and went down to a #3 needle. This is the perfect project to have in the purse. It’s interesting and easy at the same time. I went to my LYS when I needed to treat myself after cleaning junk from my apartment! Ended up with an 85% cotton, 15% baby alpaca blend that is absolutely yummy. Color is marzipan.
This tote is packed and ready to go for an upcoming road trip. I’m making mine hot pink and I’ll use it as an evening bag, for all those evenings out on the town!
Oh, Hot Pink! I might make this my travel project, too. I’ve already packed a variety of cottons for washcloths…
I love the two colors, Kay, and the fact that the lighter color is on the bottom. It’s going to be a beautiful bag.
It is a zen kind of pattern! I love how it’s starting to look. I had a skein of neighborhood fiber sock in my stash (which I bought for something specific that I couldn’t remember) and ordered a complementary color of the Chromium from NFC. Bonus color marling! I’m not wet blocking when done as my swatch faded and flattened a little too much. Want to keep that texture. Just got my yarn order to make a shakerag skirt too. MDK is definitely killin’ it with suggested summer knit projects this year! Happy knitting!
I cast on yesterday using my MDK kit for the small tote (Rock Creek Park colorway), which will fit the bill perfectly for a coast-to-coast flight from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine this weekend. I actually had to stop myself from knitting “too much” so as to save myself plenty to do in the air. It’s absolutely delightful just-quite-engaging-enough knitting and I’m already plotting for a large one.
LOVE it!,,,very tempting!
Stare long enough and you’ll see the hexagons too!
I don’t know if this is true for the Penrose Tote but my favorite thing about knitting a bag is that the yarn can be in the bag as you knit it. VERY portable project!