Adamantem Tote Bag

 

The Adamantem Tote Bag is done y'all! I've had this bag in the back of my mind for a few months now, and I'm so excited to see it done! Like most designs, it's not originally what I had in my mind, but I love the way it came out. I came up with the name by simply looking up "diamond" in Latin which is Adamantem. I thought it was a pretty name, so I stuck with it.

The Adamantem Tote Bag  is lightweight and easy to carry small things. The tight stitches help prevent it from stretching out when holding heavier things. The design is simple and clean utilizing knit and purl stitches. The top border is in seed stitch and a contrasting color to the rest of the bag. The body of the bag features a diamond design. Have you seen that stitch definition?? The edges use selvedge stitches which makes seaming super easy.  It is a classic look that will never go out of style. 

I used leftover Stylecraft Chunky yarn from the Blanket Sweater I knitted a few months ago. This yarn is so soft but feels very durable. I thought it would work great for a small tote bag like this one, and I think I was right.

Difficulty: Easy

Skills:

Cast On

Knit and Purl in the same row

Cast-Off

Sewing/Seaming

Materials:

Knitting Needles: US 9/5.5 mm (24” circulars are best because there are so many stitches)

Yarn: Stylecraft Special Chunky in Duck Egg (15 yds) and Cream (210 yds)

Darning Needle

Leather Purse Straps

Embroidery Needle

Embroidery Floss

(links to some of these items provided in pattern)

Gauge:

17sts x 24 rows = 4"

Finished Produce Measurements (after seaming): 14.5" x. 12"

Abbreviations: 

st(s) = stitch(es)
*...* = repeat pattern between “*”
SL1K = slip 1 stitch knitwise
P = purl
K = knit

Pattern:

Color A = Duck Egg; Color B = Cream

Cast on 51 sts

In color A

Row 1-5: SL1K, *P1, K1* until the last 2 sts, P2

In color B

Row 6: SL1K, *P1, K1* until the last 2 sts, P2

Start the repeat pattern, in color B

Row 7 (RS): SL1K, K6, *P1, K11*  until the last 8 sts, then P1, K6, P1

Row 8 (WS): SL1K, P5, *K1, P1, K1, P9* until the last 9 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P6

Row 9: SL1K, K4, *P1, K3, P1, K7* until the last 10 sts, then P1, K3, P1, K4, P1

Row 10: SL1K, P3, *K1, P5* until the last 5 sts, then K1, P4

Row 11: SL1K, K2, *P1, K7, P1, K3* until the last 12 sts, then P1, K7, P1, K2, P1

Row 12: SL1K, P1, *K1, P9, K1, P1* until the last st, then P1

Row 13: SL1K, P1, *K11, P1* until the last st, then P1

Row 14: SL1K, P1, *K1, P9, K1, P1* until the last st, then P1

Row 15: SL1K, K2, *P1, K7, P1, K3* until the last 12 sts, then P1, K7, P1, K2, P1

Row 16: SL1K, P3, *K1, P5* until the last 5 sts, then K1, P4

Row 17: SL1K, K4, *P1, K3, P1, K7* until the last 10 sts, then P1, K3, P1, K4, P1

Row 18: SL1K, P5, *K1, P1, K1, P9* until the last 9 sts, then K1, P1, K1, P6

Repeat Row 7-18 until your work measures approximately 29” from the cast-on edge (about 13 repeats).

In color A

Repeat only Row 7 one more time.

Repeat Row 1-5

Cast-off in pattern

Seaming and Construction:

1. Fold knitted work in half to form the shape of the bag.

2. Seam sides using mattress stitch starting from the top edge to the bottom.

3. Attach purse handles at 2.5” from either side the side edge and 0.5” from the top edge.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me!

If you share photos on Instagram, please feel free to use #AdamantemToteBag and tag me (@knitting_with_sara) so I can see your tote bag!