scrap tote

This delightful small project sprang from Erika Knight’s practice of using up every scrap she can after she designs a collection. If you don’t want to wait for your own leftovers, this little tote is also a great entrelac warmup, and making the lining is a perfect way to upcycle a muslin shopping bag.

If you’re game for a little improvisation, neither full skeins nor all five colors are needed to complete this project. Have fun with it!

Materials
Atlas by Modern Daily Knitting [2 oz (57 g) skeins, each approx 145 yds (132.5 m), 100% Rambouillet wool]: 1 skein each Cork (A), Truffle (B), Pear (C), Barn Red (D), Seaglass (E), and Cedar (F)
Size US 6 (4 mm) needles
Size US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, or size needed to achieve gauge
Stitch markers
Stitch holders
Cotton tote bag for lining

Knitted Measurements
Approx 15.75” wide x 16.5” long (40 x 42 cm), not including handles

Gauge
19 sts and 27 rows = 4″ (10 cm) st st, using larger needles, after blocking

Notes
Entrelac is a method of working rectangles set on a diagonal that look like they are woven when the piece is completed. The bag begins with a series of base triangles that are worked off the cast-on edge. Once the base triangles are complete, the first tier begins with a side triangle, then each rectangle is worked off a base triangle to the end of the row where the tier is finished with another side triangle. The next tier works rectangles that are picked up from the triangles and rectangles of the previous tier. The remaining tiers are worked in a similar manner, and the piece is finished with a tier of ending triangles.