The question posed in the title—what can you do with the space between the two sides of double-faced knit fabric—led me to a series of experiments, resulting in shopping bags, gift bags, pencil cases, pouches, a cell phone case, a wallet, and a whole host of other ideas.
The best part? Everything is knitted in double-faced fabric, and in most cases, there’s no need to sew anything together at all. The space between the two layers is simply there… and becomes part of the design. You can even include practical built-in pockets or additional compartments. In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make the most of the double-layered structure of double-faced knit fabric to create sturdy, attractive, and functional items. Small everyday items benefit from the special properties of double-faced knit fabric—it’s sturdy, smooth, and quick to make.
The Advantages of Double-Faced Fabric in the Production of Bags and Cases
- No stitching required: The space between the two double-faced layers can be used as an interior compartment. The edge stitches serve as a seam and provide good dimensional stability. This creates a seamless look, since the “side seams” cannot shift.
- Inner compartments & dividers: The clever joining of the two layers creates compartments—ideal for pens, needles, cosmetics, or small items. If you use two double-layered knits sewn together, you can create one or more practical inner compartments by opening the inner layer.
- Shape, Support, and Versatility: The double layer ensures stability and a uniform surface. The side seams, formed from edge stitches, are very neat and sturdy.
- Design Options: Depending on the shape, a bag or case with a tab or flap can feature a knitted double-faced motif, or it can even be designed as a reversible bag.
Which Yarn is Best Suited for Your Bag or Case Project?
The best type of wool to use depends on what you plan to use your finished bag or case for. Your personal material preferences also play a major role. Here’s a clear overview of common materials and their suitability for bags and cases:
- Wool/nylon blends or merino/nylon blends (e.g., superwash merino with nylon): Very durable, abrasion-resistant, and retain their shape well. Well-suited for everyday use; usually machine washable.
- Merino wool (superwash): Nice and soft, stretchy, and easy to care for. Best used in durable blends.
- Acrylic or acrylic-polyamide blends: Inexpensive, sturdy, easy to care for, and vibrant in color. Suitable for heavily used bags, though often less dimensionally stable than wool blends.
- Cotton or cotton-polyamide blends: Good texture, everyday durability, less elastic—ideal for clean shapes, but somewhat stiff in very tightly knitted bags.
- Special polyamide or polyester yarns (e.g., nylon yarn): Added to blends for extra abrasion resistance and durability.
Additional factors to keep in mind:
- Yarn weight and needle size greatly affect the final result: Thicker yarns produce a coarser knit with larger holes, while thinner yarns result in a denser fabric.
- For needle cases: A very dense knit provides better protection for the needles; thin yarn and fine needles are recommended.
- For cell phone cases: Depending on the desired look, choose a thicker yarn and matching needles to ensure the case retains its shape.
- Consider the design of the bag or case: This affects how thick or flexible the knit should be in the end.
How to Knit a Simple Bag with One Compartment
Using the double knitting technique, you can make a bag with just one compartment without having to sew any seams:
- Determine the width: Cast on the required number of double stitches to match the desired width of the bag.
- Work the height: Continue knitting using the standard double-face technique until the desired height of the compartment is reached. Be careful never to wrap the working yarns of the two knitted sides around each other (except for the edge stitches). Color changes within a row are not possible if you want the inner compartment to remain open.
- Separate the stitches: Now transfer the stitches from each side to their own double-pointed needle.
- Bind off both sides of the work separately; if desired, knit on carrying loops or handles, and you’re done.
How to Knit a Flap with a Pretty Double-Sided Pattern on Your Bag
If you’re already knitting a double-faced piece, it would be nice to finish off your bag with a special motif. The flap is perfect for this.
- After separating the stitches from both sides onto their own double-pointed needles as described above, bind off one side of the work.
- Pick up stitches from the ribbed side of the unbound-off side of the bag to replace the bound-off stitches. Use a double-pointed needle for this.
- Combine the newly cast-on stitches with the stitches from the remaining side on a single needle so that double stitches are formed again.
- Knit the flap entirely in double-faced fabric, incorporating a pattern if desired. Be sure to knit the pattern on the flap from top to bottom so that it lies straight when the flap is closed.
How to Knit a Bag or Pouch with Multiple Compartments or Dividers
Even a bag or pouch with multiple compartments can be made without any sewing at all, thanks to the double-face technique:
- Determine the width: Cast on the required number of double stitches to match the desired width of the bag or pouch.
- Determine the width of the compartments: Decide how many stitches each compartment will have.
- Work the height: Continue knitting until the desired total height is reached. Change colors after each compartment, or separate the compartments by wrapping the working yarns around each other. Be careful never to wrap the working yarns of the two knitted sides around each other within the compartments.
- Separate the stitches: Transfer the stitches from each side to their own double-pointed needle.
- Knit on a flap, carrying loops, or handles as desired. Or bind off the entire piece.
How to Knit a Reversible Bag or Pouch with an Extra Interior Pocket
In principle, the process for making a reversible bag or case with an additional inner pocket is the same as described above. There is one key difference, however: To create an additional inner pocket, I need at least one outer side of the bag or case to be double-layered. Personally, I prefer to knit both outer sides with two layers. This creates a uniform look, and another advantage is that the bag or case becomes more durable. However, the two double-layered outer sides of the bag or case must be sewn together.
- Determine the width: Cast on the required number of double stitches corresponding to the desired width of the bag or case.
- Work the height: Continue knitting until you reach the desired height of the bag or case. Assuming there won’t be an inner pocket on this side of the finished bag, you can knit a nice pattern up to this point.
- Loop the stitches: Now insert a row in which you deliberately loop the working yarns of both sides around each other. This creates a closed bottom for the additional inner pocket.
- Work the height: Continue knitting until you have reached the desired height of the bag or case again. Since an additional inner pocket is being created on this side of the bag or case, be careful never to wrap the working yarns from both sides around each other on this side. Also, do not change colors within a row here.
- Separate the stitches: Now transfer the stitches from each side to their own double-pointed needle.
- Cast off both sides of the work separately. As described above, you can also knit on a flap, a shoulder strap, or handles here.
You can also adjust the width of the inner compartment by creating segments as described above—either by changing colors or wrapping the working yarn around the needle—and then binding off only the number of stitches that corresponds to the width of your inner compartment.
Project Ideas
The possibilities are endless. Let your imagination run wild! How about, for example:
- a cell phone case
- a pencil case
- a wallet
- a shopping bag
- a gift bag
- a tablet case
- an e-reader case
- a makeup bag
- a set of knitting needles case
- a case for crochet hooks
- an Advent calendar
- a recorder case
- a glasses case
- a project bag with double-sided elements
Most of these projects would make wonderful gifts. I can’t wait to hear your ideas!
Conclusion
Conclusion: Doubleface opens up countless possibilities for you
With the Doubleface technique, you can create bags and pouches without any sewing—including clever inner and outer compartments, flap-style accents, and sturdy structures. Depending on your choice of yarn, yarn weight, and needles, you can tailor the result exactly to your style, from a minimalist everyday companion to a colorful statement piece. The double layer ensures shape retention, even surfaces, and long-lasting use in everyday life. Try out different color combinations, plan your compartments right into the project, and let your creativity run wild. Have fun knitting and staying organized in style on the go!
You can find related instructions on this topic here: https://www.crazypatterns.net/en/users/view_collection/3552/doubleface-kann-mehr
