Pocket Bag- Take Two

My first attempt at a pocketed bag was a dismal failure.  The idea of abandoning the bag altogether had crossed my mind but the yarn was already out and I had a vague idea of how overcome some of my previous problems.

Step One:  Abandon the garter stitch rectangle bottom and start with Judy’s Magic Cast On.  This way, I can immediately start the pattern in the round.

Step Two:  Increase each round at the ends to create stitches for the sides which consequently produced a lovely oval bottom for the bag.  While I was knitting the bottom, I was running different handle ideas through my mind and I remembered that I had these plastic handles stashed away.  I found them at a quilt store a few years ago and never found the right project.  Perhaps this will be the bag that they will belong to.  Time will tell.

Step Three:  When desired increases have been made, continue knitting in the round until the desired pocket placement has been reached.  This is where I stopped and knitted up a pocket.  Stockinette is for the inside and I’ve added a bit of pattern to the top so it matches the bag when you peek inside the pocket.  The pocket looks funky and curled but because the yarn is acrylic it won’t block out so it’s going to have to stay this way until it gets stitched down in the inside of the bag.

Step Four:  Knit across to the pocket placement, put number of pocket stitches on holder and start knitting instead from my newly created pocket.

So far, it’s going much better than my first attempt.  I’m not in love with it yet but I’m hoping that it’ll work out okay.  The plan is to rib the top of the pocket, add a couple of pleats to each side to narrow the top which will hopefully produce a rounded doctor’s bag look.  I’m not sure yet how I’m going to attach the handles.  And the last big question- to line it or not to line it?  I’m terrible at sewing irregular shapes but I love a lined bag.