Stitches

What is the best knitting stitch for a purse strap?

I want to knit a strap for a bag that I knit. I tried seed, garter and stockinette stitch, but it stretches so much, way beyond the length I want it. Is there a better stitch to use? Or is there a way to knit it so it's less stretchy? Should I just be knitting it to be the size I want once it has stretched? I'm just worried it'll keep stretching the more I use it.

Public Comments

1. The easiest way to do it without much stretching is I-cord. To do this, you get a couple of double pointed needles, cast on 2-4 stitches (more depending on how big the purse is) & then knit them. When done, slide the stitches down to the other end of the needle (see why you needed the dp's?) and continue knitting. Keep doing this every round == knit, slide, knit == until you have the length you need. The more stitches you use, the larger the tube you make will be. I have done purse straps 20 stitches wide & I put a piece of boning into it for strength
2. When your strap is stretched to the length of the stitches it will not stretch much anymore, but a little can be expected as the yarn has a little give. You can make the strap at a tube and use a linnen strap inside it, so that the weight is carried by the linnen but you see the knitting.