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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

(Continued from page 2)

Once all the components have been knitted, you'll need to follow these simple assembly steps to complete the bag.

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Assembly

1. With A, backstitch center bottom edge of seed stitch gusset/strap.

2. Use straight pins as markers. Place first markers 7" (18 cm) from center bottom both ways on both edges of gusset. Mark 14" (35.5 cm) from first marker both ways, both edges.

3. Place gusset pockets with top edge 2" (5 cm) down (toward center back) from second marker. Pin in place. With A, backstitch lower edge of each gusset pocket in place. Remove all pins.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	For a demonstration of the I-cord knitting technique, click here to watch the video "Knitting a Tube."

4. With RS tog, pin front of bag to gusset, matching lower corners to first markers, and top of bag to second markers. Using C and slipstitch, crochet seam pieces together (figure A). Remove pins.

Note: Red edging is not in the seam.

5. Place interior 4" (10 cm) x 8" (20.5 cm) seed st pocket on WS of back, with lower edge of pocket about 4-1⁄2" (11.5 cm) above bottom edge of bag, and centered side to side. Pin in place (figure B). With C, backstitch around sides and bottom of pocket; backstitch vertical seam down center of pocket to create 2 pocket spaces.

6. Place back 8" (20.5 cm) x 10" (25.5 cm) pocket on RS of back of bag, with lower edge about 1-1⁄2" (3.8 cm) above bottom edge of bag and centered side to side. Pin in place. Using B, backstitch around sides and bottom of pocket.

7. Mark 14" (35.5 cm) from lower edge on back/flap piece. With RS of gusset and back together, match up 14" (35.5 cm) markers and lower corners at 7" (18 cm) markers. Pin in place. With B, join pieces together using slipstitch crochet seam.

Note: Red edging is not in the seam.

I-Cord Closures (figure C):

Make 4 I-cords, two of each length.
With dpn, work I-cord until 10" (25.5 cm) long (for knots). Work second set of I-cords until 6" (15 cm) long (for loops). Fold 10" (25.5 cm) I-cord in half, tie overhand knot in folded end; place on bag flap 3" (7.5 cm) from side edge. Whipstitch onto bag from WS, catching just the back side of I-cord sts. On RS of work, whipstitch over the end of I-cord, close to the knot. With pins, mark closure loop pieces for placement on front of bag and whipstitch onto bag from wrong side, catching just the back side of I-cord sts. On RS of work, whipstitch over end and 11⁄2" (3.8 cm) up from end to form button loop. Remove all pins, weave in all ends to WS.

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