So friends, I’ve finally gotten my hands on some BIG yarn and GIANT needles and this was the result. I’m telling you, this feels like a big squishy cotton ball! Seeing so many gorgeous BIG knits all over the internet this last year has had me wanting to try it for a long time, and it didn’t disappoint. Have you tried it out yet?
If you can knit and purl, you can easily make this bag. The most surprising part of this knitting project was that it didn’t knit up as quickly as I imagined. I thought the yarn would just fly off the needles, but something with the big needles and giant yarn kept it from being super fast. My original thought was to make a scarf, but I figured out I wanted to do something a bit smaller for my first go at this. I’m totally hooked on the look. It would be awesome to make a giant blanket with amazing cables but you know I’m all about quick and easy. 🙂 I’d have to consider changing my ways for a project like that!
Bag is 9 ” tall, by 10.5 ” wide
You will need:
US Size 50 Knitting Needles
2 Skeins – Super Bulky Yarn ( I used “Biggie” Yarn from Michaels Stores ) This yarn is Super Bulky 6, but it’s the biggest super bulky I’ve seen.
Scissors
Fabric
Zipper – I used a 9 inch zipper, but it is a bit small. If you can find a 10 or 11 inch (do they make those?) , it would be perfect. OR YOU CAN CAST ON 1 LESS STITCH AND A 9 INCH ZIPPER WILL BE GREAT.
Hand sewing needle and a sewing machine (optional – you can just hand sew the fabric if you don’t have machine)
Ummmm…..you don’t need a tapestry needle to weave in ends for this project. 😉 I’m not sure if they make tapestry needles large enough to fit yarn the size of ROPE through it. 😉
Notes: This is a simple knit rectangle done in stockinette stitch with a section of garter stitch in the middle, and then seamed up the sides.
Pattern
Cast on 10 stitches
Work in stockinette stitch ( in other words, *knit one row, purl the next row*. Repeat from * to * for 9 inches)
Once you have approximately 9 inches of stockinette, you will work a section of garter stitch (knit stitch) to make the bottom of the bag.
Starting On the wrong side (purl side), knit row
Next row: Knit row
Next row: Knit row
Next row: Knit row
You will now have what looks like two ridges. Now you will continue with stockinette stitch for another 9 inches. (See the picture below to get a visual of the two ridges)
Cast off.
You will seam up the two sides after you do some measuring for the fabric lining.
See those two ridges in the middle? These are made with some knit rows in the middle of stockinette. It makes for the perfect, rectangular bag bottom.
I happened to work with this yarn last year….they actually made a new catagory for the yarn and it’s actually a Size 7 …some still I think say its a 6 though…and yes I did manage to get it into a tapestry needle…a lg eyed one…it was a fun yarn to use…though w hats it made them a little stiff when crocheting but I think at the time the largest hook I had was a 12mm…I wonder how one would come w a 19mm hook…
Hi Kris, thanks for sharing. I’m interested in seeing a tapestry needle that works! I will have to keep my eye out for one. Yes, the package calls it a 6, but it’s bigger than other 6’s I’ve tried.
I haven’t tried this, but I am thinking the plastic needle threaders that look like a looped fishing line will give you an idea to make your own needle. My thoughts – take a cable tie and cut it about 2 inches longer than a needle that will for you. Then form a loop about an inch on the cut end. Attach it to itself with heat – a flame from a gas stove or candle. Do this very quickly. Sand or file off any sharp or jagged edges. The cable tie has a pointed end that will suffice for thick yarn.
Nice idea! Thanks Kay for sharing.
I have large crochet hooks to make a rug out of old Tshirt strips. I am sure they will work.
Tres joli travail ! J’aime beaucoup la grande maille et j’aimerais faire un tapis pour mon salon!
Merci beaucoup. Peut-être utiliser un gros crochet ? Cette laine est-elle pure laine ou avec du
synthétique? Mes bons vœux pour 2016
Claire de Belgique
Bought these size needles years ago at craft fair but never used them to lack of patterns but have just got them last week, not sure what wool I would need as live in the UK ??
Hi Jean. It’s great that you have these needles. I am not sure what yarns you have available in the UK. Some of the super bulky yarns here in the US would need to be held “three at a time” in order to make a yarn big enough to work with these needles, others just one strand works fine. You might want to look for some super bulky yarns that aren’t too expensive and see if it works with one, or two strands held together. Sorry I’m not more familiar with the yarns that you have in the UK. Best to you!
UK does have big yarn for giant knitting ,There are a few sites from the UK’I always check only order from US. Good Luck
For the zipper, check the decoration dress zip papers zippers. The current style has dresses and skirts with zippers that show and function as a decorative element. For the needle, try leather needles. Some of the most have a clamp rather than an eye.