DIY Network

It's in the Bag: Monk's Travel Satchel Inspired by the satchels carried by itinerant Eastern monks, this multipocket bag makes a great purse or tote--maybe even a knitter's carryall! From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-409

Monk's Travel Satchel

The religion of Nepal, an independent kingdom situated between India and Tibet, is a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism, and the monks who traveled southwest China, Nepal and Tibet traditionally carried large bags. Some were brightly colored, others faded by time but beautifully toned nonetheless. The monks carried all their earthly goods in these bags, so pockets inside and out were a useful feature.

Since knitting expert Vicki Square loves the organization that pockets provide, she designed this bag with five separate spaces in addition to the spacious capacity of the main compartment. Now, if she could just remember which pocket has her keys....

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Vicki and her son, Alex, demonstrate how to start the messenger bag, beginning with the front piece. Vicki casts on, and Alex demonstrates stockinette and seed stitch, the two stitches that will make up this project.

Materials:

Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece yarn (80% cotton, 20% wool, 215 yd [197 m]/100 g):

• 3 skeins each #005 Cavern (A) and #880 Twilight Green (B)
  
• 2 skeins #930 Candy Apple (C)

• circular, 29" (73.5 cm), U.S. size 4 (3.5 mm), 2 pairs (for border of the back of the bag)
  
• double-pointed, U.S. size 4 (3.5 mm), set of 2 (for I-cord)
  
• U.S. size 5 (3.75) or larger (for binding off)

Gauge: 22 sts and 34 rows = 4" (10 cm) in St st
22 sts and 36 rows = 4" (10 cm) in seed st

Finished size: 16" (40.5 cm) deep x 19" (48.5 cm) wide

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