Reticule is an old term for a small handbag, which alludes to the fact that they were originally made of netted fabric. Latin rete, meaning net, became reticulum, or netted bag. Knitted as gifts for sisters and friends, rarely for themselves, women would only be able to carry a few coins in them. Not exactly practical for modern day use, so this larger-than-Regency style scales-up that net to create a bag that goes from market to beach, adding gothic floral-lace motifs, which grace and stabilize the base and top.

Finished Size: About 28" circumference and 19" tall, without straps.
Yarn: KnitPicks CotLin (70% Tanguis cotton, 30% linen; 123 yd [112 m]/50 g): loden, 7 skeins. Distributed by Crafts Americana.
Yarn Weight: #3 - Light
Needles: Size 7 (4.5 mm), Size 6 (4 mm), Size 5 (3.75 mm) and Size 4 (3.5 mm) circular (cir), and Size 7 (4.5 mm) set of 5 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, markers (m), stitch holder.
Gauge: 21 sts and 28 rows = 5" in St st with Size 7 (4.5 mm) needles with yarn held double: 21 st and 24 rows = 4" in St st with Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles.
Originally Published: Jane Austen Knits Summer 2012