Valois Bag

The motif used on this sturdy felted tote was adapted from the background of an illumination depicting the Christian god dividing the Earth with compasses. This image is part of a French-language bible from Paris, about 1320-1340. The scribes of this volume were the Fauvel Master and the Perceval Master, and it contains an inscription indicating that the owner of the bible was the Countess of Valois.

• Source image
• More information about the source document

Note: This pattern is part of a collection of accessories built around a theme of medieval illumination. You can purchase the patterns individually or as an entire collection: Whitework: Accessories inspired by medieval illumination

Skills required

• Knitting, purling
• Stranded knitting flat and in the round
• Chart reading
• Icord (explained in pattern)
• Felting (pattern points to resources)

Size information

• Small: about 10.5” wide, 12.5” high, and 1.75” deep
• Large: about 14” wide, 16” high, and 1.75” deep

Sample shown is size small.

Yarn requirements

In sample shown, main colour is the blue, and the contrast colour is white.

• Small: approximately 430 yards of main colour and 440 yards of contrast colour
• Large: approximately 670 yards of main colour and 700 yards of contrast colour

Sample shown used about 39 yards of main colour for swatch and 377 yards for bag; and about 23 yards of contrast colour for swatch and 408 yards for bag.

Other materials needed

• Two 4.5 circular needles, 29" long
• Two 7.5mm double-pointed needles (icord)
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge

One chart pattern repeat (28 sts and rounds) to 3.5" after felting. Prior to felting, gauge on sample shown was 29 sts and 29 rounds to 5.25".