The Jolly Chunky Bag :: Ta-dah!

Not so long ago I shared my first ever chunky project, the Rainbow Raindrops cushion. That's it pictured above, looking all happy and chunkyish on my sofa.

I made my cushion using eight shades of Stylecraft Special Chunky and really enjoyed the unashamedly bright and cheerful colours and the bouncy, squidginess of the yarn. After the cushion was finished I still had a fair bit of yarn left, pretty much half of it I would say (roughly 50g of each colour). I pondered making another cushion using a different design, but right at the last minute I was drawn towards making a bag.

For bag making, I always recommend switching down a hook size which makes the stitches much tighter and the bag less prone to stretching. With the chunky yarn, this meant using a 5mm hook which I really enjoyed. It seemed a little easier to manage than the 6mm, less arm manoeuvres and hand strain and the rows still worked up with satisfying speed. I set to work one Sunday morning whilst still in my pyjamas, and a little while later the base of the bag was complete....

This new Jolly bag is a re-working of the original yarn bag I made almost six years ago. I wanted to try making a more compact shape, less of a baggy-bag really. So instead of crocheting 14 rounds to make the flat circle base, I made just 9.

These are rows of treble crochet stitches worked in the round, and using chunky yarn with a 5mm hook my base measured 23cm. Time to work up the sides now....

....ahhh it was such easy, pleasurable work! Stripe after stripe of glorious colour, up, up, up for 18 rainbow rows and then time to work the edge.

I designed a new small, neat scallop to finish off the top edge.

Ooooh, looking suitably baggy!

This is such a simple design, I love the way that the base morphs into the sides and it all comes together so easily.

Using chunky yarn on a 5mm hook, the bag was quite sturdy and held it's shape remarkably well.

I thought that if made it a bit shorter, it would make a super little storage basket.

I could so imagine it filled with yarn balls!

Back to the bag...time to make some wide stripy handles......

....and some simple floral embellishments.

Remember the rainbow buttons I used for my cushion? I wanted to use the same ones to add a little extra decoration to my flowers.....

....oo those colours are looking rather jolly aren't they?

I love adding little decorative touches to my makes, it is definitely the bit of designing and making which makes my heart squeeze with pleasure.

The handles are pinned and stitched to the bag, spacing them evenly either side...

....then the leaves and flowers are added to neatly cover any dubious (but strong) handle stitching, and to add that extra bit of prettiness.

I think I'd like to show you how it turned out........

I think it's pretty cute.

And it's definitely Jolly.

Chunky too, yup, it is jolly and chunky!

Here it is......................

 

...ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One happy, stripy bag to brighten up the day ☼

I love the proportions of this bag, it's spacious but neat at the same time. I'm not using this one for carrying yarn as I still use my big, floppy original bag for that.

I'm using this bag more on a daily basis, for quick trips to the shops and for carrying notebooks and paperwork and various paraphernalia to and from the studio.

I designed it to fit neatly under my arm, and it really is a pleasure to wear/carry and use. And just like the Raindrops cushion, the colours are so bright and cheerful, I love them very much. When I was trying to think of a name for this bag, it was my friend who described it as being "jolly", and yes, that does fit it very well indeed. It makes me jolly happy for sure.

I can really recommend the Stylecraft Special chunky yarn for making bags and cushions, it works up quickly and produces lovely soft (but substantial) crochet. These are generous 100g balls of chunky yarn, 100% acrylic, but gorgeously soft and delightful to work with. I've got some more cushion and bag designs jostling around in my Creative Mind that would be perfect made with this yarn, it has a lot of potential and I am very excited about the creative possibilities.

Some good news to share....I've been chatting with the fabulous Wool Warehouse in recent weeks, asking them if they could perhaps put these yarn colours together as a pack for me. That way, it makes it a little bit easier to order yourself a yarny rainbow with just one click (I LoVe one-click ordering!) So each pack contains 8 x 100g chunky Stylecraft Special yarn, in the following eight colours ::

♥ Raspberry ♥ Lipstick ♥ Fondant ♥ Camel ♥ Meadow ♥ Aspen ♥ Lavender ♥ Denim

As a little extra, Wool Warehouse are also including 8 of these lovely buttons with each Rainbow yarn pack so that you can make either the Raindrops cushion, or the Jolly Bag.

In fact, even more good news.....one yarn pack is enough to make BOTH!!!!!! Yeah, how cool is that?! If you wish to make both the bag and the cushion, you will just need to pop an extra pack of buttons in your basket.

I've written up the bag pattern for you, to explain the correct increases for the circular base and the stitch numbers for the handles etc. The scallop edging, flowers and leaves are included as part of the pattern too. Oh, and I've also listed the random colour order that I used for the bag stripes, for those of you who don't really care for random and would prefer someone else to do that bit (and boy, do I LOVE that sort of working out!). You can find all the information you need to make this bag, for FREE, right here on my blog. I hope you enjoy it!

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ps the chunky yarn packs are a joint project between myself and Wool Warehouse, and I will be earning a small commission on each sale. This is a big step forward for me and I am absolutely thrilled about it. It's not always easy to talk about money-making things in Blogland but thought it best to let you know what's what. I have to say, it's the best feeling being able to earn a little bit of money doing something I am truly passionate about ♥

 

Comments

[Christine Hansen]

I have got all my yarns ready to make a bag, I haven't really crocheted for around 40 years but so excited about this bag, If it works out well I might even make a smaller one for my gorgeous little grand daughter

[Jackie Toone]

Hi do you have a Pattern .for a crocheted Rogs .Thank you

[Colette]

I loved making my bag, it's so colourful. Have just finished it so now I can make a start on my next Ripple Blanket which will be the Cottage one. I hope you like my version of your bag.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153316251167941&set=a.10152129725152941.1073741842.619952940&type=1&theater

[Allison]

Gorgeous! And im so glad you're. Getting a bit if $ as well as all the joy

[Sonya]

Fantastic colors! Great job! Lovely things! Storage Selhurst Ltd.

[Barbara Mastman]

Hi Lucy!
I'm practicing on some scrap yarn until my order from woolwarehouse arrives to my humble abode here in sunny San Jose, California. Whilst (love this word, and we never get to use it in my neck of the woods) ending each round, I seem to have a gap that keeps showing up no matter how closely I follow your instructions. Any pointers?
I finished the garden square blanket a few weeks ago and gave it to my 10 year old niece who loved it! Thanks so much for your blog!!
Xo
Barb

[Pamela Clare]

I've been making this bag for my daughter's birthday on Wednesday. Since I travel 6 hours to visit, I decided to finish it up here. Guess what? No buttons packed! I will be forced to go to the craft store. Oh no. :) Thank you for sharing this pattern. I really love it! I lined mine with a bright and happy polka dot cotton!

Next is the pillow and I hope the seaside blanket is up by the time I finish! *hope hope*

[Linda Harkins]

I love bright colors and I am going to attempt your pattern. I live in Canada so will have to substitute the brand of yarn. Thanks for sharing.

[Elaine Link]

I love this!!!!

[Annie]

Thank you Lucy!!! I just got in LOVE with this bag instantly. I ran to the store and got my yarn. I am pretty busy at college but my study must have to wait!! Greetings from Costa Rica!

[Lori Martinez]

love it, it will match the shawl I made lol

[Cathy Caspersz]

Hi Lucy, I am working on the cushion and can't wait to make the bag too. I havent done any crocheting for 40 years, but your blog has inspired me to take it up again. I hope you are getting a decent commission, it makes me feel better too. I might even attempt to try making a mandala for your Yarndale project! Thank you.

[Haylee]

BRILLIANT news Lucy. I am so thrilled for you. Really rightened up my day hearing this news. Well done. I am now very tempted indeed to make the cushion. x

[Ashlie]

I love this bag! I've been after a pattern for a while and this is perfect! Well done on achieving some commission for the yarn packs, you definitely deserve it. xx

[Sue Seargeant]

Just bought a pack, Lucy xx

[Darrah]

I'm happy to say that for Mother's Day my husband ordered one of your packages from Wool Wearhouse that he knew I was longing for along with a couple of other goodies! I've been so anxious to get my hands on the Stylecraft Special Chunky since you seem so fond of it (and we don't have it in Canada). I'm double happy that you benefit from this purchase. Thank you for all you do!

[Julia Boddington]

Hello Lucy, your work is lovely. I'm pleased for you. You give such a lot of pleasure with your creativity, you should have something back. Thank-you.

[GoodmorningBeautyful]

Oh beautiful lucy, how i wish i cud get hold of those packs, i wish i was on d other side of ur world so tat i cud easily get those packs. HELP!

[Ednita]

I ordered 4 packs ! From the UK to Pasadena Ca in one week . Thank you

[Lizy Tish]

So pretty! I love the pictures of your hooking/snacking/sipping!

[Della]

Hello Lucy. I'm making the bag and it's beautiful. I would never in a million years had the courage to put the colours together like you've done....but you did it for me, and they are so gorgeous, as is the pattern. I shall go forward after this with a new eye for colour!
Della x

[Linkatee]

Gorgeous bag, I love it.

[sarahstar]

This is funky-fabulous!! I've just finished making the original bag using stylecraft DK & it did turn out a bit stretchy, so I can't wait to have a go at this one with the chunky yarn, it looks pretty sturdy! Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous patterns here with us all. (And I LoVE Wool Warehouse, whoohoo!)

[Karen@Mix•Ture43]

Great post and fabulous bag project. I agree with all of those above- you are perfectly entitled to make something from these and other projects that you design and create. Last time I looked they'd sold out. Go You!!! Karen xx

[kiemo]

They are sold out already!! Can't wait to make both though!! Thank you so much for your sharing!