Vela Bag

I needed a thoughtful gift, had a pile of leftover yarn, and zero time for overthinking. So I made this little drawstring bag — and it unexpectedly became everyone’s favourite. The pattern is finally ready to share.

Weight: Worsted / Aran (any stash yarn works)

• Yardage: Approx. 100–130 m (60–80 g)

• Fiber: Cotton, wool, or blend

• Sample used: I used some stash yarn that I had in my stash collections. . my suggestion If you have to buy yarn, Knitting For Olive DK cotton is my favorite

• Abbreviations

  • k = knit

  • p = purl

  • RS = right side

  • WS = wrong side

  • C4R = slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in back, k2, then k2 from cable needle

  • C4L = slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle

  • Size & Gauge

    • Finished Size: Approx. 25 × 30 cm

    • Gauge: ~18–20 sts = 10 cm in stockinette (not crucial)

    🧵 Pattern Instructions

    Cast On

    Cast on 40 stitches.

    Row 1 (RS): knit all
    Row 2 (WS): purl all
    Row 3: knit all
    Row 4: purl all
    Row 5: knit all

    Row 6 (RS): knit all
    (This row replaces the usual purl row and creates an easy fold line.)

    Plain Setup Rows

    Row 7: knit all
    Row 8: purl all
    Row 9: knit all
    Row 10: purl all

  • Now you start with cable section

  • Cable Section – Direction 1

1. Row 11 (RS):

   k4, C4R repeat across the row, ending with C4R on the last 4 stitches.

   Row 12 (WS):

   purl all

   Row 13: knit all
   Row 14: purl

   • • Cable Section – Direction 2

2. Row 15 (RS)

3. , C4L, K4 repeat across the row, ending with K4 on the last 4 stitches.

   Row 16 purl all

   Row 17: knit all
   Row 18: purl all

4. continue until desire size (this pattern is about 16 cables or 20 cm excluding the stockinet for for tube or channel to pass the cord)

5. Repeat Cable Pattern

   Repeat Rows 11–18 (the two cable directions) until you have worked approximately 20 cable rows or until the pouch reaches your desired length.

   End after a WS row.

   • Top Section (mirror of bottom)

   Row 1: knit all
   Row 2: purl all
   Row 3: knit all
   Row 4: purl all
   Row 5: knit all

   Row 6: purl all
   (This row creates the second fold line for the drawstring channel.)

   Row 7: knit all

   Raw 8 Purl all

   Raw 9: Knit all

   Row 10 Purl all

   Row 11 Knit all

   • Bind Off

   Bind off all stitches loosely.

   Finishing

6. Cord Channel and Finishing

   After completing the cable section (approx. 20 cm), and the top edge to mirror the beginning rows.

   Now Creating the Cord Channel

   1. Fold the edges
      Fold both the cast-on edge and the top edge inward, along the natural fold created by the knit rows.

   2. Join to form the channel
      Using a yarn needle, loosely sew the folded edge to the inside of the fabric, creating a tube (channel).
      → Important: Keep the seam loose enough to allow the cord to pass through easily.

   3. Assemble the bag shape
      Fold the piece in half (right sides facing out).
      Sew the left and right sides of the bag, stopping just below the cord channel so the opening remains functional.

   4. Insert the cord
      Attach a safety pin (or bodkin) to the end of the cord.
      Carefully guide it through the channel, going all the way around until it comes out on the same side.

   5. Finish
      Adjust gathers evenly and knot the cord ends if needed.