Harmonic Melody Tote Free Pattern – Knit a Musical Note Bag

Carry your world in a symphony of stitches with this textured musical note tote, where soft cream yarn meets deep charcoal notes. This free pattern blends cozy cables with playful note motifs for a truly original accessory. Whether you're heading to a rehearsal, a coffee shop, or a market, this bag is a beautiful conversation starter that showcases your knitting skills.

The Harmonic Melody Tote is a perfect weekend project for confident beginners. It's knitted flat in two simple panels, so there's no complicated circular knitting involved. The combination of a smooth stockinette body with a textured seed stitch border creates a lovely tactile contrast, while the intarsia note motif adds a touch of musical whimsy. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Having everything ready will make your knitting experience smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

• Main Color (MC): Worsted weight yarn in cream – approximately 400g (about 800 yards)
• Contrast Color (CC): Worsted weight yarn in deep charcoal – approximately 100g (about 200 yards)

Tools & Notions

• Knitting Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) straight needles
• Tapestry Needle: For seaming and weaving in ends
• Stitch Markers: 4 markers (optional but helpful)
• Scissors
• Measuring Tape

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always knit a gauge swatch first to ensure your finished bag is the correct size. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This bag is knitted flat in two panels and seamed together. Each panel features a central musical note motif worked in intarsia, surrounded by a seed stitch border. Don't worry if you've never done intarsia before – it's easier than it looks, and we'll walk you through it.

Panel 1 (Front – with Musical Note)

Cast On & Border:

1. Cast on 40 stitches with your Main Color (MC).
2. Rows 1-6: Work in seed stitch. This means: Row 1: (K1, P1) repeat across. Row 2: (P1, K1) repeat across. Alternate these two rows for 6 total rows. This creates a lovely, bumpy border that will frame your bag beautifully.

Main Body Setup:

3. Row 7: Work seed stitch for the first 5 stitches (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1). Place a stitch marker. Now work the next 30 stitches in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side). Place another marker. Finally, work the last 5 stitches in seed stitch (K1, P1, K1, P1, K1).
4. Rows 8-14: Continue in this pattern. On the right side (RS), knit the 5 border stitches in seed stitch, knit the 30 center stitches, and knit the last 5 border stitches in seed stitch. On the wrong side (WS), purl the center 30 stitches and continue the seed stitch pattern on the borders. Remember: seed stitch on the WS is the opposite of what you did on the RS.

Adding the Musical Note Motif (Intarsia):

5. Row 15 (RS): Work the 5 seed stitch border stitches. Knit 10 stitches in MC. Now, switch to your Contrast Color (CC) and knit the next 10 stitches. Switch back to MC and knit the remaining 10 center stitches. Finish with the 5 seed stitch border stitches. Tip: When changing colors, twist the yarns around each other to prevent holes.
6. Row 16 (WS): Work the 5 seed stitch border stitches. Purl 10 stitches in MC. Purl 10 stitches in CC. Purl 10 stitches in MC. Finish with the 5 seed stitch border stitches.
7. Rows 17-22: Continue working the center 30 stitches, maintaining the CC block over the middle 10 stitches. This forms the note head. For the stem, on Row 23 (RS), knit 10 MC, then knit 5 CC, then knit 15 MC. On the WS, purl accordingly. Continue this stem pattern for 6 more rows (Rows 24-29).
8. Row 30 (WS): After completing the stem, purl the entire center 30 stitches in MC only. You have now completed your musical note motif!

Finishing the Front Panel:

9. Continue working the center 30 stitches in stockinette stitch with MC only, maintaining the seed stitch borders, until the piece measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge.
10. Top Border: Work 6 rows of seed stitch across all 40 stitches, just like you did at the beginning.
11. Bind Off: Bind off all stitches in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls as they appear). Weave in the loose ends from your color changes.

Panel 2 (Back – Plain)

1. Work exactly as Panel 1, but omit the note motif. Keep all 30 center stitches in stockinette stitch with MC throughout the entire body.
2. Complete the top border and bind off as instructed for Panel 1.

Finishing & Assembly

Now it's time to bring your tote to life!

1. Seaming: Place the two panels with right sides together. Using your tapestry needle and MC yarn, sew the side seams and bottom seam using the mattress stitch. Leave the top edge open. The mattress stitch creates an invisible seam that will make your bag look professionally made.
2. Turn Right Side Out: Carefully turn the bag right side out, pushing out the corners gently.

Creating the Straps:

3. Cast on 8 stitches with MC.
4. Work in seed stitch (K1, P1 across, alternating each row) for 24 inches.
5. Bind off in pattern. Repeat to make a second strap.

Attaching the Straps:

6. Fold the top edge of the bag over slightly to find the inside. Position each strap on the inside top edge of the bag, 3 inches from each side seam.
7. Sew each strap securely to the inside of the bag using a whip stitch. Make sure to sew through both layers of the strap and the bag fabric for maximum durability. Reinforce with a few extra stitches at the corners of the straps.

Final Touches:

8. Weave in all remaining loose ends with your tapestry needle.
9. Optional: For extra durability and structure, you can line the bag with fabric. Cut a piece of fabric slightly smaller than the bag, sew it into a pouch, and hand-stitch it inside the tote.

Your Harmonic Melody Tote is now complete! This beautiful, textured bag is perfect for carrying books, yarn, or groceries. The seed stitch border gives it a cozy, handcrafted feel, while the musical note motif adds a unique, personal touch. Enjoy your new favorite accessory – and happy knitting!