Knitting Traditions 2018: Collecting Bag

"The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers," said Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts in the early 1910s and attracted more than 5,000 members within three years. From its earliest days, Girl Scouting promoted nature study, which required a bag for biological specimens. Kate Scalzo's Collecting Bag from Knitting Traditions 2018, inspired by these young female pioneers, is decorated with a stranded colorwork honeybee!

But don't be fooled by the pretty exterior! The Collecting Bag can hold gear for all your adventures, from camping to hiking to the farmers market. The 100% Peruvian highland wool Cascade 200 yarn will stand up to lots of wear. In addition, a fabric lining prevents rips and snags and sturdy webbing straps are attached low on the bag for increased stability and strength.

Plus, you'll decidedly earn your "colorwork patch" upon completion of this bag, which uses intarsia to create those color-blocked sides, as well as stranded colorwork for the bee motif. How great would it be if knitters could earn patches every time they master a new skill? The patch system is a wonderful way to encourage young Girl Scouts to break out of their comfort zone. Now, as an adult knitter, I want more patches to keep me learning!

I myself learned how to knit in Girl Scouts (though I immediately forgot how and had to re-learn in high school), and I still keep in touch with my troop leader who taught me. Join us in celebrating the history of the Girl Scouts organization by checking out the story on Juliette Gordon Low and her first troops in Knitting Traditions 2018 and knit a Collecting Bag of your very own!

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Pattern Details

DESIGNER Kate Scalzo

DIFFICULTY Intermediate

FINISHED SIZE 17¾" wide and 13" tall.

YARN Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Sport (100% Peruvian highland wool; 164 yd
[150 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): #9448 olive heather (dark green; MC), 3 skeins; #2452 turtle (light green; CC), 2 skeins.

NEEDLES Size 5 (3.75 mm): 24" circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

NOTIONS Waste yarn for provisional CO; spare cir needle in same size as or smaller than working needle; tapestry needle; two 1" wide x 36" long pieces of webbing for straps; ¾ yd fabric for lining; sewing needle and thread to match.

GAUGE 23½ sts and 33 rows = 4" in St st; 44 sts = 8" wide in charted patt.