Kato Drawstring Bag | Japanese Motifs | Fabrics Hand-Selected in Japan

The Essentials:

• Japanese fabric hand-selected from Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo 
• Genuine leather carry handle
• Genuine leather drawstring
• Five interior slip pockets
• D-rings for cross-body strap (optional add-on)
• Canadian-sourced hardware, canvas, and interior fabrics 
• Handmade in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
• 100% cotton or 85/15% cotton/linen exterior top; 100% cotton canvas bottom; interior 100% cotton
• Exterior Japanese fabric has been interfaced for some body

Japanese Fans with Japanese Motifs on Black: This is the oneesan (older sister) to the fans on light blue and white. Every single one of these prints is going to look a bit different on each colour way, and every time I see this fabric catch the light it makes my heart skip a beat. I hope it makes your heart skip a beat when you see it holding your project! Don't fooled by the older sister title, either. This bag is ready for any adventure you want to take it on!

100% cotton upper exterior and black cotton canvas base; all detailing on this bag is black, so black leather for wristlet and drawstring, d-ring tabs, and d-ring. Interior is a beige is delicate white floral accent; the pockets are white with a multicolour square "confetti" print.

Japanese Fans with Japanese Motifs on Light Blue: A spectacular print across all three of its background colours this fans on light blue is the imouto (little sister) to Japanese fans on black. The fans here pop in a very refreshing way against a light sky blue, and are outlined in a shimmering gold, no less. This bag screams summer and thinks it needs to go to the beach. Or back to Japan. Maybe a beach in Japan? Definitely as adventurous as its older sister.

100% cotton upper with black cotton canvas base. Black leather handle to go over your wrist with a black leather drawstring for closure. D-ring tabs are black with rainbow d-rings. Interior is white with solid blue pockets.

Japanese Fans with Japanese Motifs on White: Finally, the last sister of the trio. What will she get up to when she adventures with you? The colour of the fan motifs is once again subtly shifted, but the gold shimmer remains, as does the sense of adventure. Off you go! 

100% cotton exterior upper; black leather for wristlet and drawstring. Black d-ring tabs and d-rings. Interior is white with delicate white floral detail and white pockets with multicolour square "confetti."

Butterflies on Navy Dobby: What could possibly go wrong with summer butterflies? This is the first example of the fabrics I call dobby fabrics, as they have a slubby warp and weft, giving a light fabric a super interesting texture. The butterflies are yellow, blue, and purple with various patterns.

100% cotton upper with black cotton canvas bottom. Both the wristlet handle and drawstring are black leather. D-ring tabs are navy and d-rings are bronze. The interior is a beige is a delicate white floral detail and the pockets are a solid blue. 

Chrysanthemums on Dark Teal: Oh man. These flowers all crowded in feel like I am staring directly into a patch of chrysanthemums at Heian Jingu in Kyoto. The best part of Japanese gardens is that it is a completely different experience every visit. These chrysanthemums might not change, but they'll still bring a visual interest to your latest work in progress, or to help keep your every day carry items a little more pizazz. Each petal is picked out in a gold shimmer, making this bag subtly sparkle. 

100% cotton upper with black cotton canvas base; d-ring tabs are navy with bronze d-rings. The wristlet handle and drawstring are black leather; the interior is beige with a delicate floral pattern, and the pockets are made from a white fabric with square multicolour "confetti" print.

Large Cranes and Chrysanthemums on Purple: This fabric is hard describe. The purple glows, the florals and cranes are outlined in what I know best as "Japan gold shimmer," and the fabric has a texture in the weft that adds an extra visual and tactile experience. Elegant and glorious, if these cranes call to you, I know they've found their home. 

100% cotton upper exterior with black cotton canvas bottom; wristlet handle and drawstring are black leather. D-ring tabs are black with gold d-rings, and the interior is beige is a delicate white floral detail. Pockets are white with multicolour square "confetti" drift.

Japanese Parasols with Japanese Motifs on Off-White: This pattern has gorgeous traditional motifs decorating with parasol, creating a vibrant and overall appealing visage. Each parasol is picked out in gold shimmer for an added sparkle to an already amazingly featured print.

100% cotton upper exterior with black cotton canvas bottom; black leather for wristlet handle and drawstring. Purple d-ring tabs with gold d-ring; interior is white with delicate white floral pattern with marble printed light blue fabric for pockets. 

Maiko and Parasols on Lavender: Here is one of the absolute stars of the show, the maiko. In this large format print they are against a background of lavender and darker violet parasols. Their kimono and obi are covered in traditional, gorgeous motifs. Gold shimmer sakura drift across the motif. A bag that is for sure going to stand out!

100% cotton upper and black cotton canvas base. All other sundry parts (d-rings, d-ring tabs, leather wrist handle and drawstring) are black. Interior is white a delicate floral pattern, and the pockets are made from a white fabric with square multicolour "confetti" print.

Sakura and Japanese Motifs on Dobby: I have to admit, I bought this fabric in a 25/75% split of love it and it reminds me of Sailor Moon! The colour way of pinks, yellow, and blues feels so much like some of the illustrations from the 90's anime that I just could not say no. And, out of all the things in my life that would point directly to this moment and this bag, it would be being introduced to Sailor Moon by my cousin. (The exchange is obviously a bit part of it, too, but I would never have thought of that part without Sailor Moon.) And the dobby portion of this with the slubby warp and weft just adds an extra tactile layer to an amazing visual feast.

100% cotton upper and black cotton canvas base; black leather wristlet and black leather drawstring. Pink d-ring tabs with gold d-rings; interior is white a delicate floral pattern, and the pockets are made from a white fabric with square multicolour "confetti" print.

Sakura on Mustard Gold: Don't let the word mustard in the title turn you away, this is such a rich colour that makes the sakura pop (or is that the gold shimmer, hmmmm?). This warm and easy on the eyes bag is so full of sakura that it can be dressed up to pop or dressed down to blend in, your choice.

100% cotton exterior upper with black cotton canvas base. Warm brown leather for wristlet handle and drawstring. Interior is beige with delicate white floral detail and the pockets are made from a white fabric with square multicolour "confetti" print.

Windows onto Japanese Gardens on Dark Purple: Every time I see these pine boughs, I'm transported to standing in Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle), having walked over the nightingale floors and then gazing at the pine boughs painted on the former shogun's palace doors. And then turn around and walk out to see the inspiration in the gardens just behind the castle! 

100% cotton exterior upper and black cotton canvas bottom; black leather for both wristlet handle and drawstring. D-ring tabs are black with gunmetal d-rings for an extra shine. Interior is beige with delicate white floral detail and the pockets are made from a white fabric with square multicolour "confetti" print.

Due to the leather, spot clean only, air dry.

Approximately 13.5 x 10 x 5” (34.2 x 25.4 x 12.7cm)

The short version of the Why Japan? Story:

I like cats. Japan has good cat fabric, and I have a history with Japan because I was an exchange student there. So, I go to Japan to buy my fabrics because it is cheaper and more effective than trying to source them in Canada in less than wholesale amounts.

The Long Version of the Why Japan? Story:

Ever since I was young, I have wanted to be an entrepreneur. It’s true! I would make and “sell” bracelets when I was 5-7, dreaming about owning a shop to sell my wares. Or I wanted to be an author/illustrator. Creativity has always been key for me!

I have been a knitter since 2007. I learnt in university, took it with me on my exchange to Japan, and then continued to develop my skills when I returned by knitting through most of my classes. If I was knitting, I was paying attention. If I was doodling, nothing was getting retained. Then, when I started my 9-5, I carried it along for any chance to knit on transit or my lunch break. I began to walk and knit…and that’s when I started making project bags!

I pride myself on making all my bag styles transportable, so you can carry your knitting everywhere with you! Whether it’s a strap wrist, shoulder straps, or carabiner hook, I’ve got you covered!

Now, why Japanese fabrics? Well, remember that little note about my Japanese exchange? Here’s where that ties in! When I began making project bags, I was one of only a few project bag makers inAlberta. But then more people joined me and I started looking for a way to make my bags unique, since there are only so many ways to fold fabric and still have it work as a bag! I was already using Nekozuki in my name (Nekozuki is cat lover in Japanese), and so I looked to Japan for cute cat fabrics (which were hard to find in Canada). I found Etsy sellers, and imported from then to start. But then my husband and I went to Japan for his first trip in 2016. I said “We should look at the cost of buying fabric in Japan and bringing it back with us.” - since purchasing it with the middle man up charge was not going to be sustainable and I don’t use it in such a quantity to justify wholesale bolts. Lo and behold, it was cheaper for me to go to Japan, buy the fabric, and then return to Canada with it! It also meant I could return to Japan (the horrors!). So now I exclusively use Japanese fabrics for my exterior fabrics (with the exception of any bags with canvas, like the Kato Drawstring bag). The feel for a lot of the fabric is often nicer than North American fabrics - both in weight, texture, and hand feel. I know purchasing fabrics online is hard! It’s another reason I go to Japan for the fabrics. But, please rest assured that if you purchase a bag from me, you are receiving fabrics that are hand-selected as they are for a reason!

Does this mean my Canadian suppliers are out of the loop? No! In fact, the only thing I source from outside Canada besides fabric has been a recent addition, and that is the leather cording for the drawstrings in the Kato bag. So hardware, thread, interior cottons, and leather all come from Canadian suppliers. And the cording comes from a small business in the US!

Overwhelmed with trying to make a decision about what bag you want to purchase? This guide is here to help! It has approximate amounts yarn you can fit into a bag, along with suggested projects so you can choose the bag for you and your knitting/crocheting life! If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me through the contact form! I'll respond within 24-48 business hours. 

Cake Cozy Designed to keep yarn from one cake of fingering-weight yarn from tangling in your bag. Specifically designed for when you don’t want to carry a project bag, this would also be a fantastic way to keep multiple skeins wrangled in a larger bag. Made from Knot Bag scraps!

Triangle Pouch A single-skein bag that is set up to knit socks, one skein hats, or other similar projects! Will also hold circular needles with some wrangling. 

Small Box Bag Up to 300g of fingering-weight yarn, 200g of worsted weight yarn, 100g of bulky+ weight yarn

Can also be used as a make up or toiletries bag, toy bag for the kids’ car toys, or as a shaving kit bag!

Large Box Bag

Up to 500g of DK to worsted-weight yarn, 300g of bulky-weight yarn

Big Bag

Up to 700g of bulky+ weight yarn, 900g of worsted-weight yarn

Suggested Projects: Blankets, large & bulky sweaters, and all those WIPs kicked out of smaller project bags so one can start the next best project! 

Can also be used for a tote bag!

The Disclaimers:

Colours may differ between monitors and devices

Listing is for bag only

Bags are shipped from Alberta, Canada. International purchasers are responsible for any customs and duties applied in their own country.