Four Hand Reel

Four Hand Reel is knit flat in garter stitch stripes and each rectangle is knit onto the previous rectangles in the same manner that log cabin afghan blocks are knit. I have made the blocks larger than normal so one block forms one side of the totebag. After both sides are knit, a long strip is knit and joined to the sides at the same time to form the bottom, narrow sides, and the strap. An I-cord edging is knit around the open edges of the tote and strap as the final step.

tote body is 19 ¾ x 19 ¾ x 2 ⅘ inches/ 50.2 x 50.2 x 7.2 cm, not including the strap

Skills & Techniques used: 

• a provisional cast-on

• picking up and knitting stitches along garter stitch edges/ridges

• 3 needle bind off 

• grafting garter stitch (in place of 3 needle bind off; helpful but not required) 

• knitting back backwards/mirrored knitting (helpful but not required)

• knitting applied i-cord

• 2 x 4.5mm/US 7 24 inch/60cm circular needles for knitting flat, or size needed to obtain the gauge above (2 circular needles make the joining steps much easier)

• smooth waste yarn for provisional cast-ons

• 8 stitch holders (lengths of smooth yarn work best with the number of stitches)

• tapestry needle

• 2 size 4.5mm/ US 7 double pointed needles, or the same size as the needles you used to knit the tote blocks, for joining the pieces together, and for the I-cord edgings

• (optional) a safety pin or removable stitch marker, for marking the right side of the work

• (optional) lining fabric and thread. I chose to line my bag and the inside of the strap to stabilize it, and counteract any stretching the garter stitch fabric might be inclined to

I would like to hear from testers every week to ten days to ensure everything is going well. If you prefer to reach out more often, that's wonderful.

Please let me know as soon as you can if a problem arises, either with the pattern or your ability to complete the test on time.

If you're able to use Ravelry, I would appreciate a project page set up with at minimum a finished photo, and the yarn and yardage you used.

Feel free to post in progress photos to Instagram or other social media, if you're so inclined. I would appreciate a tag so I can share your post as well. (I am @knit1dance2 on Twitter, Instagram, Mastodon, and Discord)

The designer is offering discounted or free pattern(s) to testers

At the end of the test, testers will receive a coupon code good for their choice of any of my single patterns. Upon publication of this pattern, testers will also receive a "good copy" of the pattern, including the low vision/screen reader accessible file.