The Lopi Tote makes use of bulky yarn and elegant, screw-in handles to create a deep bag with a wide base that knits up quick. Since I’m one of those dorks who can’t leave the house without her adult security blanket of a work-in-progress, I designed this bag specifically for carrying my projects with me on the go.
Lopi Tote Pattern
Supplies
2 skeins Bulkylopi yarn in Ash Heather [100% new wool. 100 g (3.5 oz) approx. 60 m (66 yd) per skein]
US 15 (10 mm) circular knitting needles
stitch markers
scissors
tapestry needle
clear nail polish (optional – for securing handles)
Jūl 16″ Forager Flat Screw in Handles in Truffle
basic sewing supplies for lining your bag (optional)
CO – cast on
sts – stitches
Old Norwegian Sock Cast On – aka German Twisted Cast on. Here’s a tutorial.
rnd – round
pm – place marker
k – knit
p – purl
sm – slip marker
M1R – make 1 right. Here’s a tutorial.
m – marker
sl – slip
wyif – with yarn in front
(X sts) – X indicates the number of sts that should now be in the rnd.
rep – repeat
(Y rnds) – Y indicates the number of times a rnd is worked.
ssk – slip slip knit. Here’s a tutorial.
k2tog – knit 2 sts together. Here’s a tutorial.
ssp – slip slip purl. Here’s a tutorial.
p2tog – purl 2 sts together. Here’s a tutorial.
wyib – with yarn in back
BO – bind off
kitchener stitch – aka grafting. Here’s a tutorial.
linen stitch – the slipped stitch motif used on the front and back panels of this bag. Here’s a tutorial.
Gauge & Dimensions: 8 sts & 12 rows over 4″. The Lopi Tote is 16″ in length. Laid flat, the top of the bag measures 8″ across. At its widest point, the bag measures 14″ across laid flat. All measurements were taken after wet blocking.
Get a printable, ad-free PDF of this pattern here.
CO 40 sts using an Old Norwegian Sock cast on. Join into rnd and pm to indicate beginning of rnd.
rnd 1. (k2, pm, k18, pm) twice.
rnd 2. (k2, sm, p18, sm) twice.
rnd 3. (k2, sm, k18, sm) twice.
rnd 4. [k1, M1R, k to m, sm, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times, sm] twice. (42 sts)
rnd 5. [k to m, sm, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times, sm] twice.
rnd 6. [k to m, sm (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times, sm] twice.
rnd 7. Rep rnd 5.
rnds 8-43. Rep rnds 4-7 until there are 60 sts in the rnd. (36 rnds)
rnd 44. [k5, p2, k5, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 45. [k4, p1, k1, sl1 wyif, p1, k4, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times] twice.
rnd 46. [k4, p1, sl1 wyif, k1, p1, k4, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 47. [k3, p1, (sl1 wyif, k1) twice, p1, k3, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times] twice.
rnd 48. [k3, p1, (k1, sl1 wyif) twice, p1, k3, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 49. [k2, p1, (k1, sl1 wyif) 3 times, p1, k2, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times] twice.
rnd 50. [k2, p1, (sl1 wyif, k1) 3 times, p1, k2, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 51. [ssk, p1, (k1, sl1 wyif) 3 times, p1, k2tog, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times] twice. (56 sts)
rnd 52. [k1, p1, (sl1 wyif, k1) 3 times, p1, k1, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 53. [ssp, (k1, sl1 wyif) 3 times, p2tog, (k1, sl1 wyif,) 9 times] twice. (52 sts)
rnd 54. [p1, (sl1 wyif, k1) 3 times, p1, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 55. [ssk, (sl1 wyif, k1) twice, k2tog, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times] twice. (48 sts)
rnd 56. [k1, (k1, sl1 wyif) twice, k1, sm, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 57. [ssk, k1, sl1 wyif, k2tog, (k1, sl1 wyif) 9 times] twice. (44 sts)
rnd 58. [k1, sl1 wyif, k2, (sl1 wyif, k1) 9 times] twice.
rnd 59. (ssk, k2tog, sm, k to m, sm) twice. (40 sts)
rnd 60. (k2, sm, p 18, sm) twice.
rnd 61. [k1, sl1 wyib, ssk, (sl1 wyib, k1) 7 times, k2tog] twice. (36 sts)
rnd 62. [sl1 wyib, k1, sm, (sl1 wyib, k1) 8 times, sm] twice.
rnd 63. (k2, ssk, k 12, k2tog) twice. (32 sts)
rnd 64. k1, then arrange 16 sts on each end of your circular knitting needles. BO all stitches using kitchener stitch.Weave in ends and wet block. Attach Jūl handles according to package directions, including adding a dot of clear nail polish to the screws to secure.
If you’d like to line your bag, sew a bag liner however you prefer, and attach it to the inside of your Lopi Tote. I recommend using a sturdy fabric that’s been treated with a fabric protector like Scotchgard for longevity.
Bag handles are great….however the price is equally great!
I saw some bags made from repurposed sweaters at craft fair. They had similar handles but must have been much less expensive because the cost of the bags was less than the cost of the handles by Jul. Do you know of any other sources for handles? I’ve searched without success.
I haven’t found any that I like more than Jul. There may be an Etsy seller or two who makes handles – worth a look!
HI, I’m not able to download the pattern for the Lopii Tote. Do you have any ideas to address this problem. I love the tote and am anxious to start making it
There’s nothing to download – you get the free pattern right from this page. If you’re looking to download it, you can copy and paste into a blank document to avoid printing all of the images and using too much ink. I’m working on a plugin for making printing directly from the blog post easier, but for now this is the best option. :)
If you’re still looking for it, I’ve just formatted a printer-friendly PDF of this pattern, which is available here: http://www.handsoccupied.com/product/lopi-tote-knitting-pattern-pdf/
Hi Heidi, LOVE this pattern, and definitely going on needles next week! I was wondering if you lined the bag? I have a knitted purse that I lined, mainly to protect the knitting from junk in the purse, ha ha! It has similar handles instead of the knitted ones the pattern called for, for more stability, Just wondering if you think it’s a good idea. Thanks for sharing the patterns! Love your blog.
I didn’t line it… yet. I always carry my WIPs in little drawstring bags, so I don’t need this bag to be lined for most of the time I use it. That being said, I will probably line this before using it as a regular purse. :) Thanks for the kind words, btw! -Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Thank you so much for this great pattern. I was wondering what the circumference of the circular needle is used. I didn’t see it in the pattern, or maybe I have missed it. Thank you.
You’re welcome! The circumference of the pattern varies throughout, so I used the magic loop method with a long cord (32”or longer works great) to accommodate the variation.
Do you make your WIP drawstring bags? If not what do you use and where do you get them. I really like this bag!
Why does Row 52 use SSP (instead of SSK which is used in all the other decrease rows)?
Nvm, it must be intentional since you match it with a p2tog. Guess I’ll just have to see how it goes. Very nice pattern, thank you!
You’re welcome! Did you end up seeing why I did purl decreases there?
Yes! to maintain the purl-stitch boundary of the linen stitch patch at the base of the gusset. Love your attention to detail.
Yep! You got it. (And thank for appreciating it, haha!)
this was SO MUCH FUN to knit! and it looks lovely. I really loved the details and the textures. Waiting for my Etsy handles to arrive so i can finish it off. thanks for this great pattern!
Hello. Beautiful bag and I’m a big fan of the linen stitch. I am wondering how big the opening to the bag is. Thanks
Marianne. 🇨🇦
Laid flat, the top of the bag measures 8″ across, so it’s approximately 16″ in circumference.
I’ve just finished row 7 and the next directions are to follow the pattern for
“rnds 8-42. Rep rnds 4-7 until there are 60 sts in the rnd. (36 rnds)”
but when I count these out, there are only 35 rounds. Can you tell me where I’m reading this incorrectly?
That looks like a wee typo. Good catch! Should be rnds 8-43. I’ve edited the subsequent round numbers accordingly. :)
Thanks!
On row 4′ where is says to knit to marker , is that just one knit stitch? Having trouble with row 4. I finally can do the old Norwegian sock cast on, I was so excited.
Yep!
Hollo , I have another question. When I put a p1 and sl1 next to each other it does’nt look right. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. Row 49.
It probably looks a little different than the knitting you’re used to because you’re working a purl stitch (the working yarn is in front), followed by slipping a stitch (also with the yarn in front). If you’re not used to slipping stitches, this might just seem odd. If you think there’s really an issue in what you’re making, can you take a photo and email it to me at heidi-at-handsoccupied-dot-com? I’ll be happy to take a look to confirm if it’s looking as it should! :) -Heidi
Hi, I really like this pattern but before I begin – what is Wet blocking?
Thanks,
Patricia.
It’s the last step in making knitting projects, and it involves soaking your finished project in cool water and laying it flat to dry. It allows the fibers to relax into a more uniform, clean shape and establishes how the finished project will look. Here’s a tutorial: https://www.handsoccupied.com/how-to-block-a-knitting-project/. :)
I have started two times. I must have the wrong length of circular needles. I can’t seem to be able to move around enough to get to all the stitches!
Oh dang it! Maybe I can help – What length of cable are your needles? And are you using the magic loop method?
Hi Heidi
Thanks for this great pattern! I often knit bags & felt them to give added strength. Looking at your pattern, I’m thinking doubling the number of stitches (so doubling the instructions on all rows) should work – any comments from your experience would be great. Thanks
I’m not a massive felter, but I’d recommend being careful with the increases & decreases if you’re doubling the pattern. :)
Hello I’ve just downloaded a couple of your patterns. I’m in the middle of 2 projects that I need to finish. So by the new year I’ll be ready for my next challenge. I’m making a blanket for my nephew whose 9 and loves bunnies. Then I’ll be trying you Lopi Bag pattern.
Hello. I’m reading the pattern and looking at the picture and the bag gets wider at the bottom even though there are decreases in the stitch count for pattern. Am I reading it wrong? Full disclosure—I have been know to do that! Thanks.
The pattern shape is achieved with both increases and decreases and is knit from the top down before seaming at the bottom. The untraditional construction may be throwing you a bit, totally reasonable. ☺️