u/DeathFerrox

I'm making a bag for a market I'm going to next month. The pattern, Cesta Bag by Cecil knits on Ravelry, says fingering weight yarn with 3.25mm needles. The swatch is supposed to be washed and laid flat, but it's cotton, so I don't think it'll change too much. Do I really knit this tight? Yarn is Sultan in color Amethyst from Hobbii (bought before their AI stuff).

Edit: to clarify, I know cotton shrinks in height when dried but I didn't think it would shrink width as well. I think that's my problem but unsure.

I've started knitting and this is my first finished project. People talk about blocking and I don't know when that applies. Should I block these? If so, do I just wear them while they dry for form fitting?

I've been knitting for a couple months, coming from crochet, and have noticed how my fingers are being affected. With knit, I'm using natural fibers and it dries the heck out of my two finger tips. Any tips on how to stop this?

The instructions say when you get to the green squares, there should be 10 unworked stitches. Knit 14 rows of garter stitch (7 ridges) over these 10 stitches to form a little flap, ending on WS row (do not turn). With WS facing you and using LHN pick up 6 purl bumps along the edge of the flap; work {k,p,k} into the first purl and k the remaining 5. There should now be 18 stitches on RHN. Knit across remaining stitches on LHN to complete WS row.

Am I literally making a flap? How do I just work those stitches? I'm fairly new to knitting but crocheting for 20 years so I can pick up pattern lingo fairly quick, but I'm stumped here. Thank you! Videos to explain would also be appreciated.

Last year, our privacy bushes were cut waaayyyy too short and didn't make it through winter. The landscape people put in some of these plants as per HOA board request, but I don't know which variety they are. Are these ones that would grow tall? I have a lot-facing patio (apartments) that was nice with the bushes but worry these won't be the big guy replacements. Thank you!