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

[Indu]

Hi Lucy!

I have been following you for a few years now and you are one of my great inspirations for crochet. I'm from Bangalore, India, and I have always wondered how do I source those beautiful yarns that you have and have wondered if I'll ever have one of those. With your woolwarehouse tie up, you have made that possible for... Yes!! I have bought the pack with the help of a friend in Dublin. I'm yet to get it in my hands though! The wait is killing me!!! thank you so much Lucy!!

Indu

[Helen]

Brilliant brilliant idea!!
Gonna treat myself to a pack now - fewer calories than an egg!

And fantastic idea re the commission arrangement, we all have bills to pay and you really should get some reward from all the work you put into promoting the craft of hooky.

[Gina Nathan]

Love the bag and the cushion Lucy. I've bought the wool pack and I'm more than thrilled that you get something from it as you give us so much. And check out the price, thats less than £2 a ball AND you get buttons!!! Thanks Lucy xxx

[nicola]

Hi Lucy.
love your blog and you have basically taught me how to crochet this year! I went to high school in your town and love seeing the pics you post as I live in not quite so beautiful stoke now and get homesick when I see them! You must have really boosted sales cos they are out of stock of the chunky yarn now! Well done you!!! And thanks for your fab blog xxx

[sara]

Lucy that is fab news I am so pleased your infectious love of colour and crochet are earning you some pennies too. I know all your many fans will be thrilled for you as your blog bring happy sunshine in to your days. X

[cavegirl]

Hello. Lucy
The bag is so beautiful.
Always looking to learn. ^^
Thank you.

[Wendy]

I absolutely love your bag, but more than that I love the tone of your Blog, the love you have for your home and family, and the amazing pictures of your house! Thanks for Blogging!

[sofy]

Ah I can't help but be a bit happier when I see your projects. They are always so colourfull and cheerfull. - Thank you for sharing.

[dianna]

Have ordered my pack, can't wait to get started. What a clever idea, you always use such great colours.

[Hazel]

Wow! Sold out already! x

[Hazel]

Absolutely love it Luce and well done you on getting a commission deal. xx

[Diane O'Connell]

Hi Lucy. Have been working on the bag you posted 6 years ago. Almost done and I love it! Also made your lemon drizzle cake to take to my knitting/crochet group. It was a hit here in the USA.!

[Dorothy Grifffiths]

Lovely Lucy I adore your bag, have always wanted one myself and wanted to make one. Until I came to your wonderful workshop I didn't have the confidence - well I have taken the bull by the horn and ordered the yarn - thank you so much for the fabulous pattern/tutorial, you are a star Lucy.
Sending you lots of loves and hugs and Happy Easter
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Edwina]

This must have been a very popular and successful collaboration with the Wool Warehouse as I just went to get a pack and they are out of stock!!!

[Malama Xida]

Bravo Lucy!!

[Allie Cat]

Squeeee ordered mine yesterday and it arrived today! :-) Putting my obsessive sock knitting aside for a wee while to make this and a baby blanket for my Niece who's baby is due in September. Thanks for the pack, fab idea! Xxxx

[Lou]

I've tried so hard to resist... But I've failed!! Very happy to support your inspiring and always entertaining blog though, I'm glad you're making a bit of money out of my powerlessness to resist!!

[Areri Chris]

very nice Lucy, love the colour combo - can I ask would you recommend this yarn for making blankets? I really want to make one for my baby due in August. I thought maybe if I go for a chunky yarn option it will be nice for winter.

[Jacquie]

Hi Lucy, I LOVE your new bag and I'm so glad you are getting a reward for all your hard work and generous sharing of your creativity.
in fact I think Stylecraft themselves ought to pay you commission....you have certainly done a lot to popularise their yarn :0)

[Heather]

Ooh Lucy, I love it!!!

We've just decided on a spontaneous seaside trip this weekend so I've been having a think about an in-car crochet project as it's quite a lengthy drive. I think you've just given me a super idea. (The clothes and wash bags will be stuffed in at the last minute! I have my priorities right, non?)

Hoorah re the commission, I should absolutely think so too! WW is lucky to be associated with you.

Heather xx

[Clare]

Wow this is super cute, and very tempting, have a loveing Easter Lucy
Clare xx

[Lesley]

Hi Lucy. Going to make this one. Have recently completed your bigger version and have put into Zippystitch to have a lining and fabric stabiliser put in it. Am picking up on Saturday. Cannot wait to see it. I am just no good at working out sewing pattern ideas so have left to those who can. Good idea to use the chunky. I would love you to do a pattern for a granny bag with round plastic handles. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!

[Sandra (Cherry Heart)]

Love the bag, it's gorgeous and that yarn looks dreamy to work with. Congratulations on your collaboration with Wool Warehouse too - you most certainly deserve to earn a little something for all your hard work and generosity with free patterns!

S x

[Wendy]

You always inspire me to try something new. I am getting tired of blankets. Good for you on earning a commission. You always give so generously.

[Jenny]

Very yummy and perfect in every way, and the bag is gorgeous too!