Modular Bento Bag

RECALIBRATE — Knitter: Allena W.
Handspun yarn

I gravitate towards rhythmic, intuitive, and practical designs, and this pattern checks all those boxes for me. MODULAR BENTO BAG uses garter stitch modular construction with worsted weight cotton yarn to create a surprisingly functional finished object. You’ll find a purpose for each of the 4 bag sizes: smaller sizes work well for children’s toys or a small jar of jam, and larger sizes are perfect for fruits, vegetables, or a loaf of bread at the farmers’ market. Washable cotton yarn makes the bag easy to launder, and it folds up into itself for easy storage. Adjust the handle length to meet your needs, creating shorter handles to attach to a carabiner clip, longer handles to fit around a wrist, or one of each! Experiment with striping and color blocking for a truly unique bag. Create a bag or two for farmers’ market purchases or knit one to hold a gift.

Modular Bento Bag on Ravelry

Modular Bento Bag on Payhip

Find full gallery images here.

YARN
Knit Picks Dishie or Dishie Twist in 2 or more colors or similar worsted weight cotton dishcloth yarn.
100% Cotton, 190 yd / 174 m per 100 g, www.knitpicks.com

Samples shown in 3 colors with various stripe patterns:
Dishie Twist in colorway Black, and Dishie in colorways Black and Kenai

Yarn requirements per size:
Size 1: 61 yd / 56 m (32 g)
Size 2: 125 yd / 114 m (66 g)
Size 3: 270 yd / 247 m (142 g)
Size 4: 462 yd / 423 m (243 g)
Yarn estimate includes 10% buffer.

GAUGE & NEEDLES
15 stitches & 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in garter stitch knit flat
US 6 / 4.0 mm or size needed to get gauge, minimum length 16” / 40 cm
Gauge is not critical but will impact the feel of the fabric and final size of the bag.

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Sizes 1 (2, 3, 4)
Width: 6” (9”, 13.6”, 18.1”) / 15.2 (22.9, 34.5, 46) cm
Height: 6” (9”, 13.6”, 18.1”) / 15.2 (22.9, 34.5, 46) cm
See schematic for additional size information.

TECHNIQUES
Provisional cast-on, knit stitch, join-as-you-go modular knitting, icord bind-off in the round

PATTERN ATTRIBUTES
This is a written pattern with a schematic and photo tutorials.

EXPLORE ON INSTAGRAM
#ModularBentoBag

Tech editing: Bronwyn Hahn
Test knitting: Cathy A., Niad A., Rhianda G., Sarah J., Amanda K., Jennie K., Katie M., Sondra P., Linda S., Rachel S., Vicky S. & Emilia W.

From Pam S.

I really appreciate Shana’s attention to detail in each of her patterns, and also across the scope of her patterns. There are certain things I can count on from a Shanalines pattern, whether it’s a garment, coffee cozy or fidget toy: The directions will be clear, the design will be innovative, and the thing WILL fit! Her modular knits are good on everybody, and they are also really fun to make! As a bonus, Shana is very interactive and fun to knit with! I’ve had the chance to spend time with her at a couple of events, and I always leave her side smiling!

If you are hedging about one of the shanalines patterns, and you happen to see her at an event, she may even take off that beautiful sweater she’s wearing (with a tank top underneath, of course) to let you see how it works on you, or to point out a specific stitch detail. And if you have questions while you’re knitting, just reach out. She is always ready with a thoughtful answer that makes sense. I always look forward to seeing what pattern will come out next!

Pam has been to Zombie Knitpocalypse 2021 and 2022. She has knit many Shanalines Designs patterns including PB Sandwich Hat and Recalibrate, and has test knit Semantics, Peapod Marble Fidget Toy, Textured Marble Fidget Toy, Modular Coffee Cup Cozy and Shoulder Season.

From Eimear B.

I only recently became aware of Shana’s patterns and I chose to knit Recalibrate. I’m usually a top down in the round kind of knitter so I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy this pattern – wow was I wrong! It was so enjoyable! A fun well written pattern that I just flew through! I really love the end result too!

I then was lucky enough to meet and take a class with Shana at SSK this year and all I can say is she’s an all round great person and fantastic teacher! If you get the chance to knit a Shana pattern, meet or take a class with Shana then don’t hesitate.

Eimear has knit Recalibrate, and attended a class at Super Summer Knitogether (SSK) retreat in Nashville, TN in July, 2023.

From Adrian S.

This top was a joy to test and I appreciate all your work in cultivating an inclusive test knitting group. ❤️

Adrian was a test knitter for Shoulder Season.