This honeycomb and braided cables bag is inspired by Square I in Edie Eckman’s ‘Knit Your Cables Afghan‘ from Yarnspirations. It is a small drawstring bag measuring 15.5cm wide x 14 cm high.
The body is a knitted rectangle folded in half and seamed. It features the fascinating Honeycomb stitch flanked by a pair of braided cables. The honeycomb stitch is a continuous pattern with a 6-stitch and 8-row repeat while the braided cable is a 2-stitch cable crossing left and right to form a raised, interlaced texture. The drawstrings are 3-stitch i-cords. Both uses the same 2 cable techniques.
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Materials & Equipment
- 1 ball Paintbox Yarns Simply DK
- 1 pair 4mm / US 6 needles
- 1 pair 4mm double pointed needles
- Cable needle & tapestry needle
- Fabric for bag lining.
Gauge & Measurement
Gauge is 26 stitches and 26 rows = 10cm (4 inches) using the Honeycomb pattern, unblocked.
The drawstring bag size: 15.5cm wide x 14 cm high.
The Honeycomb Stitch
The honeycomb stitch creates a repeating diamond grid that resembles the hexagonal cell of a honeycomb. This is achieved through two basic cable techniques:
- 2/2 LC (2 over 2 Left Cross): Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle.
- 2/2 RC (2 over 2 Right Cross): Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle.
The Braided Cables
Unlike simple twists, braided cables mimic the look of a three-strand braid, with columns of stitches crossing over one another to form a raised, interlaced texture. The effect is both sculptural and cozy. Set against a purl background, the braid stands out in crisp relief, catching light and shadow in a way that feels both classic and modern.
The wonderful thing about the pairing the honeycomb stitch and the braided cable stitch is that they both use the same cable techniques: 2/2 LC and 2/2 RC. You only need to master these 2 techniques.
The last technique to learn is the k1-tbl: Knit 1 stitch through back loop. This creates a crisp stitch line that matches the 2 cable stitches.
The Chart
Instructions
Cable cast on 56 stitches, leaving a long tail for seaming.
Knit a 1×1 ribbing for 5 rows (repeat P1, k1 across the row).
Knit 1 row (fold line).
Cable pattern
Rows 1 and 5 (right side): P2, k1-tbl, p2, k6, p2, k1-tbl, p2, k24, p2, k1-tbl, p2, k6, p2, k1-tbl, p2.
Row 2, 4, 6 & 8 (wrong side): K2, p1, k2, p6, k2, p1, k2, p24, k2, p1, k2, p6, k2, p1, k2.
Row 3: P2, k1-tbl, p2, 2/2 RC, k2, p2, k1-tbl, p2, [2/2 RC, 2/2 LC] 3 times, p2, k1-tbl, p2, 2/2 RC, k2, p2, k1-tbl, p2.
Row 7: P2, k1-tbl, p2, k2, 2/2 LC, p2, k1-tbl, p2, [2/2 LC, 2/2 RC] 3 times, p2, k1-tbl, p2, k2, 2/2 LC, p2, k1-tbl, p2.
Repeat Rows 1-8 11 more times.
Purl 1 row (fold line).
Knit a 1×1 ribbing for 5 rows.
Bind off in ribbing leaving a long tail for seaming.
You might want to block the bag before sewing it up.
Making up
Fold along the fold lines to create the drawstring casings. Pin to secure if necessary. Thread the long tail yarn through a tapestry needle and sew the hems neatly in place using the long tail.
Fold the knitted rectangle in half and sew the side seams neatly using the mattress stitch.
Weave in all the ends. Line the bag, optional.
Drawstrings
Cast on 3 stitches onto one double-pointed needle. Instead of turning the needle to start a new row, slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. The working yarn will now be at the left side of the row. Bring the yarn across the back of the stitches to the right side.
Row 1: Knit 2 stitches, knit into back loop the last stitch. Pull slightly tight to close the gap and form the tube.
Repeat: Slide the stitches back to the other end of the needle and knit Row 1. Repeat the slide and Row 1 until the i-cords reaches the desired length. They should be slightly longer than the circumference of the bag.
Bind Off: Cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining 3 stitches. Pull tight and weave in the ends.
Thread one drawstring through the entire casing using a bodkin or safety pin. Tie a knot to secure both ends. Do the same with the second drawstring.
Did you try this pattern? Let me know how it went and if you have any questions.
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