Drawstring Bag

Materials:

US #8 circular needle, 16" long
US #8 double-pointed needles
1 skein worsted weight yarn, dishcloth cotton works well

Instructions:

This is knit from the top to the bottom. If you want to felt the bag, which will make it tighter and sturdier, use size 10 needles and pure wool yarn, you will need to knit it several inches longer than you want it to be.

Cast on 84 stitches, place marker and join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist. Knit 1".

Now make holes for the drawstring to pass through: on the next row, (K7, K2tog, YO) repeat eight times.

Continue knitting in plain stockinette stitch until bag is desired length.

Bottom decrease:

Row 1: (K7, K2tog) eight times

Row 2: (K6, K2tog) eight times

Row 3: (K5, K2tog) eight times

Continue in this manner until you have only eight stitches left. Cut yarn, leaving a six inch tail. Draw tail through remaining stitches and pull tight, closing the bottom of the bag. Weave in ends.

Drawstring:
Using double pointed needles, cast on four stitches. Knit 12" of I-cord. Bind off, weave in ends, and thread cord through holes in bag. Knot ends of cord.

I-cord is made by knitting flat with two double-pointed needles, without turning the work. After you have knit across the four stitches, slid the knitting to the end of the needle, pull the working yarn tight, and knit across again without turning. You will close the two sides of the piece together as you go, creating a sturdy hollow cord.