Modular Bento Bag

I gravitate towards rhythmic, intuitive, and practical designs, and this pattern checks all those boxes for me. MODULAR BENTO BAG uses garter stitch modular construction with worsted weight cotton yarn to create a surprisingly functional finished object. You'll find a purpose for each of the 4 bag sizes: smaller sizes work well for children’s toys or a small jar of jam, and larger sizes are perfect for fruits, vegetables, or a loaf of bread at the farmers' market. Washable cotton yarn makes the bag easy to launder, and it folds up into itself for easy storage. Adjust the handle length to meet your needs, creating shorter handles to attach to a carabiner clip, longer handles to fit around a wrist, or one of each! Experiment with striping and color blocking for a truly unique bag. Create a bag or two for farmers' market purchases or knit one to hold a gift.

YARN

Knit Picks Dishie or Dishie Twist in 2 or more colors or similar worsted weight cotton dishcloth yarn.

100% Cotton, 190 yd / 174 m per 100 g

www.knitpicks.com

Samples shown in 3 colors with various stripe patterns: 

Dishie Twist in colorway Black, and Dishie in colorways Black and Kenai

Yarn requirements per size: 

Size 1: 61 yd / 56 m (32 g)

Size 2: 125 yd / 114 m (66 g)

Size 3: 270 yd / 247 m (142 g)

Size 4: 462 yd / 423 m (243 g)

Yarn estimate includes 10% buffer.

GAUGE & NEEDLES

15 stitches & 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in garter stitch knit flat

US 6 / 4.0 mm or size needed to get gauge, minimum length 16” / 40 cm 

Gauge is not critical but will impact the feel of the fabric and final size of the bag.

FINISHED DIMENSIONS

Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4)

Width: 6” (9”, 13.6”, 18.1”) / 15.2 (22.9, 34.5, 46) cm

Height: 6” (9”, 13.6”, 18.1”) / 15.2 (22.9, 34.5, 46) cm

See schematic for additional size information.

TOOLS

Crochet hook of similar size for provisional cast-on

Smooth waste yarn in contrast color for provisional cast-on

Waste yarn or needle holder to hold live stitches

3 removable stitch markers

Flexible tape measure

Scissors

Tapestry needle

Optional: 1 small carabiner to attach to handles, such as this, available through many hardware stores:

https://niteize.com/s-biner-stainless-steel-dual-carabiner.

Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn

Test knitting: Cathy A., Niad A., Rhianda G., Sarah J., Amanda K., Jennie K., Katie M., Sondra P., Linda S., Rachel S., Vicky S. & Emilia W.