Fruit Pouch by Kate Buchanan

This pouch measures approx 7cm x 10cm and is the perfect size for a foil-wrapped chocolate heart from Marks & Spencer. I made it as a mother’s day gift for my mum, Julie Romeo. If you’re ever passing through Wells in Somerset, pop into her shop – the cool and crafty Earthcraft – on Priory Road!

Materials:
RYC Cashsoft DK - about 20g in Pink (MC) and Lime (CC)
3.75mm needles
Darning needle

Abbreviations:
M1 Make 1st by inserting righthand needle purlwise into the strand in between two stitches
Skpo Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
YO Yarn over; bring yarn forward in between needles as if to purl then lay it over the righthand needle and continue to knit, thus creating a new stitch

Pouch sides (make 2)
With MC, cast on 3sts
Row 1: K1, m1, k1, m1, k1
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1
Row 4: Purl
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until there are 25 sts.
MC: k2, CC: k1, *MC: k4, CC: k1; repeat from * to last 2 sts, MC: k2
MC: p2, CC: p3, *MC: p2, CC: p3; rep from * to last st, MC: p1
With CC, k2, *skpo, k3; rep from * to last 3 sts, skpo, k1
Purl

K2, *skpo; rep from * to end of row
Purl
K2 *skpo, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2
Purl
K2, *YO, skpo; rep from * to last st, k1
Purl
P1, *k1, p1; rep from * to end of row
K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row
Repeat last two rows

Picot point cast off as follows:
Cast off 2 sts, *transfer st from righthand needle to lefthand needle, cast on 2 sts, cast off 4 sts; rep from * to end of row, put end of yarn through loop and tighten.

Make up
Weave in ends. Sew two pieces together using matress stitch all the way around except for the cast off edges. Cut 2 lengths of CC yarn about 40cm long. Twist each length of yarn in the direction of the ply then fold in half and the two ends of the yarn should twist together. Thread one length in and out of eyelet holes starting on the right. Thread the other length through starting on the left. Knot together the ends of each length of yarn and clip ends neatly.

About the designer
Kate set up the Westender S’n’B knitting group in Ealing, West London. Her knitting kits are available from www.giftedknits.co.uk.