Finally, here is my first ever crochet bag revealed in all its stripy glory. And if I do say so myself, I think it turned out rather fabulous in a bold, floppy, baggy sort of way.
It ended up a bit larger than I had first envisaged, mainly because I got so
carried away hooking round in delightful, colourful, woolly circles that I didn't actually notice it was getting so big. And so thirty-eight rounds after beginning
it suddenly occurred to me that I really ought to stop and begin thinking
about an edging and some handles. And perhaps some little bitsy flowers to finish.
It was an easy thing to make folks, honest it was. And enjoyable, oh yes you betcha. After working on blankets recently (and the ripple still isn't finished, I've run out of yarn and have ten more stripes to go) it was lovely to have an idea, start it, work on it and finish it inside a month. Satisfying.
I didn't have a pattern for this bag as such, but I did have to learn about working in the round with increases ie how to create a flat circle for the bag bottom (from an old crochet pattern belonging to Lovely C, we cracked it together one morning over coffee). I learnt how to do the shell edging from my little crochet book, and used a pattern I found on line here for the flowers, although I found I had to alter it a little as it didn't seem to quite work out the way it was written. The leaves were my own design and the straps, well they're just long rows of single crochet.
I do especially like the way the bag can be plonked down and the top sort of rolled over so that it becomes very practical for using/selecting yarn when working on my hexagons.
And I think the hexagons look especially fetching nestled snugly in there, don't you agree?
It's a bag of multi coloured hooky goodness. Inside and out.
ps :: I know quite a few of you have been following the progress of this little project and have expressed interest
in it as I've been making it. I'm contemplating attempting to write the
pattern/instructions down for making this bag, do you think this might
be something you would like? I'm happy to do it if you'd like me to,
please just let me know what you think. Thanks :o)x
edited to add :: oh my friends, you make me so happy, thanks a million for the bag-love!!
I'll work on the pattern/instructions as soon as I have chance and will post it for you. xx mwah xx
its amazing! And there can never be such a thing as a bag that is too big!!! I have the most enormous bag on the go at the moment. I think of it as a security blanket. With flowers on and my purse inside...!x
Posted by: Anna | July 21, 2008 at 09:53 PM
The finished product looks fantastic! Well done on a lovely colourful and inspiring bag.
Nicola x
Posted by: Nicola | July 21, 2008 at 09:54 PM
I love it! My crochet obsession is growing by the day and I'd love to try making a bag like this :) The flowers are gorgeous. What yarn did you use as it looks much nicer than the scratchy acrylic stuff I've been learning with!?!
Posted by: Gem | July 21, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Love the colours.
I haven't learnt to crochet but I'm sure those who can would love a tutorial.
Your photos always look fab.
Posted by: maria | July 21, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Scrummy bag, great colours and a really useful size.I'm learning to crochet and would love to make something like this!
Posted by: French Knots | July 21, 2008 at 10:18 PM
thats soo fabulous i love the colours :) x
Posted by: mitsi | July 21, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Gorgeous bag, I love the colours. Not sure if I could attempt one yet though, still very much learning crochet and have only mastered granny squares so far!
Posted by: Gill | July 21, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I wish I could crochet (how many times have I said that since I started blogging!). I love it, the colours are fab and I have no idea how you made it!
Pop over, I've tagged you if you want to join in.
Julia x
Posted by: julia | July 21, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Gorgeous bag, I love the colours. Not sure if I could attempt one yet though, still very much learning crochet and have only mastered granny squares so far!
Posted by: Gill | July 21, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Oh it's gorgeous! And if I knew how to crochet, I'd be baying for a pattern.
Posted by: Ali | July 21, 2008 at 11:12 PM
That's fantastic bag! i love the color very much!
Posted by: Yuko | July 21, 2008 at 11:36 PM
love that bag.......well done
Gill from Canada
Posted by: Gill | July 22, 2008 at 12:23 AM
Hello Lucy OMG that bag is gorgeous I just love it, yes please to the instructions.
Posted by: christine,australia | July 22, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Wow, it is gorgeous, well done you, i just want one, please, please write down the pattern, as i think i may have said it before, my one thing i would like to learn this year is to crotchet, i brought the little book you have, and am trying to teach myself -in between everything else. So the pattern would be brillant, to go along with the ripple rug i plan to make!!
Posted by: Marisa | July 22, 2008 at 08:41 AM
It's just lovely Lucy. I will be watching out for the pattern. I love to crochet, it is so soothing to do, isn't it? The colours look so good too. Very professional.
Posted by: Barbara | July 22, 2008 at 09:06 AM
You clever girl, the bag is beautiful! I cant crochet and soooo wish I could......Claire x
Posted by: CLAIRE | July 22, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I'd love the pattern please. I learnt to crochet years ago (hate to say how many, except that crochet ties were very in fashion in the late '60's and I made several for my boyfriend!) Haven't made much recently, but your bag has inspired me - I'd love to make it.
Posted by: Miriam | July 22, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The bag is AMAZING, you have such a wonderful eye for colour, YES PLEASE!!! to the instructions,it's just the sort of bag I've been lookinf for.
Posted by: CRAZYJANE | July 22, 2008 at 11:52 AM
what a great bag! love the colors!
Posted by: jen | July 22, 2008 at 12:40 PM
As I said at your Flickr, this bag is lovely, so it would be great to have the pattern. Thank you in advance, your work inspires me a lot!
Posted by: Mariana | July 22, 2008 at 12:51 PM
You did an excellent job! I love everything about this bag...and the hexagons on the inside are like icing on the cake!!!
Posted by: Dawn | July 22, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Gorgeous bag - I would love to make something like that and would be really grateful if you could write down the instructions! - Natalie x
Posted by: Natalie | July 22, 2008 at 01:58 PM
I would love the instructions please - im very much a beginer. Really enjoy reading your blog its very uplifting. Hope you and the little people have a lovely summer holiday x
Posted by: shirley | July 22, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Your bag turned perfect! I made one many years ago, similar to this one, but no so many colors on it. It also turned too big. But who cares! I love yours... I'll see if I can find a picture of mine to show it to you. Congratulations.
Posted by: Osvaldo Villarino | July 22, 2008 at 04:09 PM
This bag post update must have passed me by. Just found it now anyhow. I would love it if you posted up the pattern as my crochet is a little rusty to say the least. I love the flowers as a finishing touch. I think this is a project you can be truly proud of.
Posted by: Simone | July 22, 2008 at 05:39 PM