Sock Sack

Welcome to the 7th day of the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop. I'm so glad you stopped by!

My name is Terry Atkinson and I've been designing quilt patterns ever since my youngest daughter Megan climbed onto the kindergarten bus. She's almost 20 - and I haven't run out of ideas yet! I really enjoy what I do because every day brings something different -  sewing, writing instructions, teaching, designing fabric, setting up our Quilt Market booth, shopping, coloring on graph paper, taking photos, testing patterns, and even blogging. My husband Kirk works with me and he does all of the boring stuff - shipping orders, paying bills, ordering supplies etc. Pop over to our website to learn more about us and our business, Atkinson Designs.

I had so much fun making bags this spring for my Big Bags, Little Bags book, that I thought I'd share another one of my favorite bags with you. The "Sock Sack" is shown above next to a turquoise Yo-Yo Tote from Big Bags, Little Bags - these are two of my favorite travel companions.

Even if you are not a knitter, you can find all sorts of uses for the sock sack - I even use one to hold my portable GPS  when we travel . . . what will you put in yours?

Leave a comment for me and tell me how you will use your Sock Sack. One lucky "bag lady" will win a Big Bags, Little Bags book and a Tag Along Tote pattern. Just think of all the bags you could make!

Now, let's get back to the Sock Sack!

Sock Sack

Just toss your Sock Sack in your purse and you can take your knitting anywhere. It holds everything you need to knit socks or mittens -  just leave the yarn in the bag and pull the yarn from the middle of the ball as you knit. The easy zipper pocket holds stitch markers, scissors, notes, and all of your other little stuff. 

Yardage
2 fat quarters (1 print, 1 main color)
1 - 9" zipper (or longer)

Cutting
Main Color
cut 2 - 1-1/2" x 20"
cut 1 - 10-1/2" x 10-1/2"
cut 1 - 5" x 6-1/2"
cut 2 - 5" x 2-1/2"

Print
cut 1 - 4-1/2" x 6-1/2"
cut 2 - 2-1/2" " x 8"

Sewing

General Info: All seams are 1/4". Zig-zag the seam allowances together after stitching each seam to keep them from raveling. I like to use the serpentine zig-zag or the feather stitch to finish the seams because they help the seams lie flat.

 

Center the zipper on the edge of the pocket with right sides together and edges even. The zipper pull should be facing down! Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4" from the edge. Finger press the seam and topstitch a scant 1/4" away from the zipper, making sure to catch the zipper tape underneath.

Place the pocket on top of the 5" x 6-1/2" main color rectangle. Pin. Stitch all the way around, about 1/8" from the edge. Unzip or zip the zipper as needed to keep the zipper pull out of your way. The zipper pull must end up inside the stitching as shown! Trim the ends of the zipper even with fabric.

Stitch the 2-1/2" x 5" main color rectangles to the top and bottom edges of the pocket.  Press seams away from the pocket.

Stitch the 10-1/2" main color square to the side of the pocket panel. Use a zipper foot, and unzip the zipper as needed to keep the tab out of your way. Press.

Fold the pocket over so the raw edge meets the opposite edge. Pin and stitch the seam, making a tube. Adjust the bag so the pocket is centered and stitch a seam across the bottom edge. 

Casings: Stitch a double 1/4" hem at each end of the 2-1/2" x 8" contrast pieces. Press each casing in half, wrong sides together. Note: These will be slightly shorter than the width of the bag.

Matching centers, pin the casings to the top edge of the bag on the outside of the bag with raw edges even. One casing will be pinned to the front and one will be pinned to the back, and there will be a little gap at each side where the casings meet. Stitch a 1/4" seam through all layers around the top of the bag. Zig-zag the seam.

Fold the casings up and topstitch a scant 1/4" from the seam, making sure to catch the seam allowance underneath.

Ties: Press each tie in half with wrong sides together. Press the raw edges to meet at the fold. Fold in half and press. Topstitch through all layers close to both edges. Make 2.

Thread one tie through both front and back casings beginning and ending on the right side. Knot the ends together. Thread the other tie through the opposite way, beginning and ending on the left. Knot the ends together. Trim ends at an angle.

Comments

[Leonora Holmes]

I see that the comments go back to 2009 so I'm guessing that even though I would love to be picked to receive the book and pattern it may be too late. Nevertheless, I love the pattern even now. I looked up your website because I attended a sewing class where we learned to do the "Classmate". Your directions are outstanding even for a beginner like me. So, I had to see if you had more. I made the Sock Sack for my daughter who just took up knitting. THANKS !! I'll be back!

[Karen Hagstrom]

definately will be able to use this one for all the small accessories I carry around with my knit & crochet projects - also would be great for all the small stuff that seems to accumulate in my purse!

[Perri Graham]

This will be a perfect Christmas gift for everyone in my knitting group. Thanks for such a great pattern!

[Kathleen B]

Terry, your Sock Sack looks like it might be just the right size to hold a camera zoom lens. Which would be a perfect idea for me and my storage needs!

[Andee in AZ]

I am knitting my very first sock right now and am planning to make a bag like this shortly! Thanks for the chance!

[Gjeneve Hopkinson]

We are heading to FL for a fast visit and my small knitting projects will work great in that bag. I lived in MN for many years and am familiar with your great patterns. Thanks for sharing this one. Gjeneve now from Grand Junction, CO.

[Suzanne]

Oh wow! I just made three drawstring bags yesterday for someone's knitting but this, this one will be perfect for MY knitting. (Ok, in my defense, if I had known about your bag, I would have made it for her too.) Thank you for the wonderful idea and tutorial.

[Helen Van Bentum]

I just finished making this, it's super easy and it's my first ever sewing project. It's the perfect size for my sock yarn, needles and ALL notions. Thank you so much for this pattern, I will be making it a lot more.

[Lisa]

Terry - I love your patterns. A suggestion for the zippered side of this sock sack would be to use clear plastic. Not as cute as yours, but easy to see the tools.

[Bonnie Thiem]

I love this little bag. It is just the right size for my hair brush, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant and things like that when I travel. I just love making bags of every size.

Thanks for the free pattern.

Bonnie

[Bean bags for kids]

wow, I love the end result of it, very lovely bag.

[Debbie J]

I was just thinking that it would be so good to have something like this, and then the very next day, someone sent me this link! Thank you so much for doing this and sharing it with the rest of us! Much appreciation to you!
Debbie J

[Sharon Kendall]

I'm going to make one of these for my sock knitting. Really cute and useful too.

[Judy LeVang]

This is such a great idea!! Thanks so much for sharing your pattern! Judy

[Winter Fetty]

I want to make one for my mom, sis, and myself. I am teaching them how to knit some small things and want them to have a nice place to keep their knitting accouterments. Thank you so much for the pattern. I am going to use vintage fabric from my Great-Grandmother to make them even more special.

[Joke]

Although I'm number 521 in line I want to say thanks for this tutorial. It's a cute sock-sack and I've the absolute intention of making it tomorrow afternoon. Thanks!!

Joke.

[Nancy Rudy]

Thanks for posting this pattern, what a quick easy way to use up those "too pretty/cute to pass up" fat quarters we all seem to collect. Guess what my sock knitting friends are getting for Christmas?

[Nancy Rudy]

what a great project to use up all those "too cute to pass up" quarters... I am also an avid sock knitter as are most of my friends... guess what they are getting for christmas? Thanks so much for sharing this with everyone.

[Beverly Garrett]

Terri, I love the sock bag. I crochet hats for cancer patients and am always carrying an extra bag with my yarn and hook and scissors. Everywhere I go, I am crocheting on a hat, dr office, lunch at work, etc. even at football and baseball games. Thanks for the pattern. Beverly in Arkansas

[Patricia Harper]

Terry, thanks for the cute sock sack pattern! I've made three of them so far! They're perfect for sock projects, and the pocket will hold a pattern, credit card and a cell phone when visiting a LYS.

Once question though. Once I show mine off, no doubt someone else will want one. Is it okay to make them to sell?

[Sandra D]

What a fun and easy bag - I'll definitely be making more of these little guys - thanks so much for the great tutorial!

[Maureen]

Great bag to give as a gift to a knitter! The directions look very comprehensive. Thanks!

[Kathy]

I love the tutorial, great simple directions, I think I can handle a zipper now! I'm not a knitter but this sack would hold a cell phone, keys and an ipod! Love it, heading to the fabric store today.

[craftycarole.blogspot.com]

Thank you so very much for sharing... I'm definitely making this one.
I misplaced my project bag so I need a new one... LOVE IT!

[lori jones]

thanks so much for the tutoial!
I have been thinking of doing this and now I have the some instruction to go by. Thanks!
I do love the Atkinson designs!!!! they are easy to follow.
I love the colors you picked for the bag.

[Joanna Perry]

I love your choice of fabric. I take along projects when I have a lengthy bus ride or waiting room appointment, so It will come in handy. I may also use the pattern for a nicer kind of gift bag with Christmas coming up. I hope I win the books.

[Cheryl]

This really is a terrific tutorial. I must say your pictures and instructions go a long way to allay fears of putting in a zipper... ..Phew!!! Love the Fat Sack and this little sock sack is too cute to pass up. I'm always needing some sort of bag to put a variety of things in and I want them cute AND functional. Thanks for the good tutes and ya gotta love our Minnesota gals. Looks like I just missed all the action but I'm happy to have found a bunch of you MN gals and look forward to keepin up with you as much as I can
~ Cheryl

[kelley]

Thanks for the great pattern...I'll use it to keep some of my rug hooks in...then make another for little scissors...

[Mak Teh]

Oh,thank you for a great tut.I think I'LL get by.will try soon

[Mak Teh]

hye there,I couldn't find your book in Malaysia.I am just learning to sew..I love your goodies.ou give great inspirations to many.thanks

[Jackie Hicks]

So cute! Thanks for sharing

[Christy]

What a great tutorial! It'd be a great way to carry smaller items when traveling that you don't want to lose.

[Mary Ann Dove]

I have nearly all your books and love each of them. They are easy to make, but the end product always looks great. Now I can add this to your file. But this I plan on making this week, as I start my sock class on Saturday and want to show it off! Bet my granddaughter will make one too.
Thanks

[Marg]

I made a sock sack today and it turned out GREAT! Everybody at our 4th of July celebration was impressed :) Thanks for the pattern.

[Sølvi in Norway]

Great tutorial. Thos blog hop idea is really good

[Regina]

I love the Sock Sack but I haven't found any of the Atkinson Design patterns that I don't love :)

I will make the Sock Sack for my 12 year old daughter to carry personal items in her backpack at school. The nice slim style won't take up much room and the nice pocket up front will allow her to put her lunch money and school ID in a safe place.

[Linda Peterson]

I love the Tag Along Tote Pattern. I have several of your books. They are great.

[Janelle Cole]

I love your site & your ideas!! Love the sock sac - I would use it for school supplies as a homeschool mom - for little pieces of manipulatives or pencils, or anything. I may have to make a couple!
Thanks for sharing your ideas!

[V]

LOVE the fabrics you chose for the little bag! so fun!

[jan richards]

Thanks for the neat bag pattern. Plan to make several for myself and family & friends. Also thank you for the chance to win your newest book and pattern

[Cindy Horan]

Hi Terry,
I forgot to say I love the pic of you and your lovely cat. I'm a cat lover too! We live in the country and have rescued cats so now have three inside and three outside. The outside ones are lucky because each night they have access to a heated garage in the winter and a safe place at night with food and water.
They all receive lots of love and give us joy in return.
Keep creating!
Cindy in MN

[Cindy Horan]

Hi Terry,
I love the sock bag!! I knit socks and this will be a great bag to carry all the "stuff" and knit from with the yarn inside. Thank you!
I have a number of your patterns and love them all. Your patterns are easy to understand and the results are great!
Have a great 4th!
Cindy in MN

[Babette]

I love this bag. Thankyou for sharing!!

[Joni]

I wonder if it would be the right size to hold my Kindle (electronic book). Thanks for the pattern and tutorial.

[Bonnie Nyquist]

You can never have enough of these little bags!! A great gift idea and fast to make too! Thanks Terry,for all your great patterns, if it has your name on it,you can't go wrong.

[greetingarts]

I've been a huge fan of Atkinson Design patterns for a while now, nice to "meet" you and get to peek behind the scenes. Thanks for sharing all your talent with us.

[mary shoop]

thanks for the pattern

[Lisa Franklin]

Hi Terry -

You know, of course, that you're an enabler, right??? Giggle!

I've gotta go buy more zippers and cute fabric!!!

The Sock Bag pattern is just wonderful!

Thanks!

Lisa in Louisiana

[YTS Mom]

You can never have too many neat little bags!

[Ruth B]

I hope I'm not too late to comment but I've been out of town for my son's wedding and then had hand surgery when I got home! Oh I just love bags and these are adorable. I think I need them!

[Rebecca]

What a cute bag, I'm going to use it as a gift bag for a little gift.

[Iva]

What a cute idea. Thank you for the tutorial; can't wait to start a little bag or two... or three.

[Teri]

Hi Terry
I love this little bag. Thank you for sharing the instructions. My friend and I were recently talking about how much we like your patterns, especially "Lucky Stars". I have made 3 of these, and I bought fabric yesterday for a fourth. They are so easy to do, and are great gifts!

[Ankie Karlsson]

You can´t have to many bags.
This one I think i use for all my different chargers.

[susan]

this is my 1st day, just discovered the blog hop, I'll use this bag to tote around snacks for the kiddies-- wipes will probably fit in the pocket, and little ziplocks in the tote
Thanks!
susan

[Rebecca Clarke]

that's so cute, I will probably use several of them in my kids bags that i made, they are just 1 big section so I need some smaller bags to keep all their little things organised.

[Sue]

love all your patterns and the sock bag will be great for toting around my camera and extra batteries.. thanks for the pattern

[Lynn Osborne]

I would use the sock sack to store my GPS and cord which currently lives in the original box which is very bulky! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Crystal Day]

I love your patterns. This looks like another fun one to try out. Thank you!

[Barbara York]

What a cute little bag, I think I could use it to hold embroidery or even a book when on the go. It was a very good tutorial. Love your patterns and I know I have at least 3 of them.
Barbara

[Paula Ross]

Just too cute! and easy! Thank you

[Donna Gober]

I love the Sock Sack, but it can be used so many other ways.

[Cathy]

I love all your patterns and have many of your books. Thanks for the Sock Sack pattern. I love it!

[Erica K]

I do knit, and socks are my favorite! My cat is constantly trying to grab the yarn, so that bag would really come in handy! Love the fabrics you used...very fresh!

I checked out your store. You have some very nice patterns. I think I own a few already!

[sandy]

I'm a day or more late but the bag is just too adorable. thanks.

[Lydia]

Terry, I love this! I'm an avid sock knitter, and I can certainly see myself using one of these bags for that purpose. But I can also see myself using one to keep sewing and quilting notions together when at a sew-in, where you take your machine and project for 4-6 hours. I always try to take as little stuff as possible to those, so a way to corral all the tools is great! There are several of these in my future, I think.

[Edna]

Great project! I may have to make one of these to use for my English Paper Piecing ON-THE-RUN. Thank you for your time and effort in presenting these instructions!

[Christy]

Such a cute bag- like your other patterns, love them!

[Deborah]

Thank you for the Sock Sack pattern and for being part of the Blog Hop. I love your patterns!

[Liz B]

This is adorable! Thanks for the tutorial and the chance at the giveaway.

[betsy]

I will use it for my quilting supplies that I can in my car for road trips. I actually would need 2 since I would leave one in each vehicle fully stocked with scissors, needles, thread and a project for the road.

[Cindy in TN]

I think I will use mine to transport the I-pod or camera.

[Sandra]

So many bag ideas, so little time.

[Bonnie Tucker]

I am going to make several of the sock sacks this weekend. I am going on a road trip with other quilters and I have been looking for something to make as a small gift to them (4). Your use of color is as always wonderful

[Celaine]

I am going to use my bag for a mini drugstore for my handbag. Tylenol, aspirin, a few bandaids, dental floss, nail clippers, small hand sanitizer, SPF moisturizer, etc. What a super great gift to give to a summer traveler!

[Bonnie Hampton]

I love the sock sack. I think I would use it for our GPS. My granddaughters would love it too

[Denniele]

Great tutorial...a refresher on zipper installation makes this an easy pattern! Love your designs.

[Dawn]

I'd use my sock sac for portable hand piecing. Thanks for the tutorial and showing how to put the zipper in!
~ Dawn

[Janet P.]

Neat idea! Easy to do and very handy!

[Janelle]

I love the sock sack! I love bags and boxes, so I would use it for any number of things! I was thinking I could also use one to pop some things in (like socks) to keep them together in my suitcase when I'm travelling.

[Joyce]

Thanks for the tutorial. I will probably use mine for my GPS since I seem to lose it everytime I turn around. Maybe I'll make two, one for me and one for a sock knitting friend!

[Sharlene]

A person can never have too many bags! I think I'll make one for my mother-in-law to hold her embroidery supplies. Thanks for all your great patterns!

[Glenda]

Sweet idea.
Thanks
glenda

[Dana Doerfler]

I love your patterns! The sock sack is awesome - I don't knit, but I'm sure I can come up with something to use it for!

[Sandy Feldt]

Thanks for sharing the sack pattern. I can't wait to make one...

[Teresa]

I love the sock sack. Easy and functional. Thanks for sharing this idea. I am a big fan of yours.

[Michelle Kupreisis]

Terry I just love your patterns. I think I've made 15 Yellow Brick road quilts. Thanks for sharing the Sock Sack with us.

[Unnur Ósk]

This is a great idea, thanks for sharing.
Love all your bags.....:)

[Valerie]

I am an avid knitter and quilter so what more can a girl ask for...I am making one tonight. Thanks for all your great patterns...there are several of us in AK that are addicited to your style!

[Diana]

Fun bags...it's a great way to use scraps.

[Karen aka Grammy Mac]

Hi Terry Ann;) I love the whole idea of your sock bag. I love to knit socks and will be making several of these...good to travel with;) Thanks

[Cindy]

I do not knit socks. actually I don't knit at all! But there are so many uses for this bag. My first reaction was to make some for my daughter's toe shoes. (Of course, sized to her point shoe size.) In the zippered part she could put her tape, extra elastic, ribbon and needle and thread.

[Ann]

I love this and will make on for my sock knitting.

[Ticia]

Nice project! It's perfect for carrying around all kinds of things.

[Nichole]

Thanks for the great tutorial. This is a really cute and functional bag.

[Jeanne]

Thanks for sharing a new pattern, yours are always so much fun to make. I love the blog hop.

[Kelly Stuart]

Oh this bag is so sweet. I am a knitter and a hopeless 'bag' lady---I love making all kinds of bags--- I think this bag would also be great for bringing art supplies with me when I am on the go. I always like to have a few watercolor pencils, a teeny-tiny water bottle and some torn pieces of watercolor paper. Thank you for sharing your time and talents.

[Karen]

This is darling! I would put my ipod in it!

[Robin (rsislandcrafts)]

Great bag! I'm sure my kids could find many treasures to put in a sock sac :)

[Laila]

Hi.
Thanks for the bag pattern. It is so fun getting to know you all and your great blogs.
Hugs from Norway