Fabric yarn is so fun to work with! It’s stretchy and thick and offers a different sort of knitting experience than your usual acrylic or natural fibers. Every summer I sit down with some fabric yarn to make at least one special, summery project. When it comes to fabric yarn, you’ve got a couple options: you can buy some, like Lion Brand Yarn’s Fettuccini, or you can DIY some with fabric or old t-shirts.
Fabric yarn doesn’t always make the best clothing due to its heaviness and potential for stretching, so for me, home and fashion accessories are where it’s at when it comes to working with this unusual yarn! Today’s new pattern is a foldover clutch that is perfectly suited to fabric yarn. When you knit with slipped stitches, a dense fabric is created – ideal for a versatile workhorse clutch like this. Beyond creating a sturdy fabric, the herringbone pattern created through slipping stitches is totally chic!
Herringbone Foldover Clutch – The Pattern
Supplies
2 skeins (55 yds/skein) Lion Brand Fettuccini fabric yarn
size 15 US needles
scissors
stitch marker
crochet hook (to weave in ends)
fabric and sewing supplies to make liner (optional)
Abbreviations
CO – cast on
rnd – round
sts – stitches
pm – place stitch marker
RS – right side
k – knit
sl – slip
wyif – with yarn in front
rpt – repeat
BO – bind off
3 needle bind off – see this post for a tutorial
The Pattern
CO 46 sts, pm, join into rnd.
rnd 1. (RS) k2, (sl 2 wyif, k2).
rnd 2. k1, (sl 2 wyif, k2), end k1.
rnd 3. sl 2 wyif, (k2, sl 2 wyif).
rnd 4. k3, (sl 2 wyif, k2) end last rep k1.
rnds 5-12. rpt 1-4 twice.
rnd 13. rpt 3.
rnd 14. rpt 2.
rnd 15. rpt 1.
rnd 16. k3, (sl 2 wyif, k2) end last rep k1.
rnds 17-24. rpt 13-16 twice.Work rnds 1-24 five times (120 total rnds) or until you’re nearly out of yarn. BO by turning your work inside out and working a 3 needle bind off. Weave in all ends. Fold the clutch in half to form its final shape.
Optional but recommended: Sew a liner similar to a pillow case for your clutch to keep all items intact during daily use.
Guess what my daughter is getting for Christmas….maybe even a granddaughter or 3.
What will the size be when finished, or gauge? I’m thinking ipad cover.
I skipped listing gauge in the post since tshirt yarn gauge can vary wildly (I’ve found this issue even within the listed yarn, LBY Fettuccini), but of course, it’s helpful! The gauge I had was 8 stitches and 11 rows = 4 inches in stockinette, but the other gauge variable comes in with all the slipped stitches. Since the slipped stitches pull on the finished fabric both vertically and horizontally, that’s something to consider. My finished clutch was roughly 6x1x8.75 inches. Love the tablet cover idea!
I’ve been a longtime follower of yours Heidi and I love this. Hopefully I’ll find a substitute yarn in Aust for this
Hi Janet
Try these gals from Adelaide:
https://www.facebook.com/Adelaidehillsyarnco/
Best wishes
Sarah
Gorgeous! I’m trying to do some more knitting these days. I think I may need to give this one a try.
Do these directions apply to straight needles as well?
Eileen
If you’re using straight double pointed needles, yes, but if not, you’ll have to work the stitch flat and then seam the pattern. Here’s the pattern for how to knit the herringbone stitch flat: http://www.knittingstitchpatterns.com/2014/10/woven-transverse-herringbone.html. Let me know if you get stuck – happy to help! :) -Heidi
Thanks for the good-looking bag and the tip about how to fake a lining.