Crochet Bag Pattern

Way back in July, you may remember me making this bag. It's my own design, made on a whim and I was/am absurdly proud of it. It has received much admiration when I jaunt about with it on my shoulder, and it has proven to be a very practical bag for stashing yarn in. Very Crochety indeed.
I've had countless emails and requests for this pattern, and in truth I have been putting it off a little. Well more than a little, seeing as it is now more than three months down the line. I find writing patterns so daunting, but I will try to do my very best for you, to share this woolly baggy goodness with you all.

First some yarn info :: I used Debbie Bliss yarn, called Merino Aran. I got it in a sale, and it has now been discontinued, and I don't think there is an equivalent. It is not to be confused with her Cashmerino, which is softer and lighter. This Aran yarn is pure wool and quite thick, and is known as "aran weight", where as the Cashmerino is a DK weight. But really you can use whatever yarn tickles your fancy, just that the sizing might be smaller if you use a lighter weight yarn.
Hook size :: I used a 4mm hook. Even though it's supposed to be a 5mm hook size for this weight yarn, I used 4mm and it made the stitches quite tight, which turned out good for this type of bag.

Now before we begin, can we just clarify the difference between UK and US terms :: this bag is made using a UK treble crochet (tr) stitch, which is equivalent to US double (dc). For this pattern I am going to use UK terminology.
 
Begin by chaining 4 and joining to form a ring.

For the very first round you will work out of the central ring, but for all other rounds, work out of the stitches. When I work out of the stitches, I insert the hook through both loops of the stitch (as shown above), because I think it makes a stronger stitch. But you can just go through the back loop if thats what you're used to.

Round 1 :: chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then work 10 more treble stitches INTO THE RING.
Join with a slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3.
Don't fasten off, keep same colour. (you should have 11 stitches in your circle)

Round 2 :: slip stitch into first tr stitch to begin.
 Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then 1 tr into SAME STITCH.
*tr twice into next stitch*.
Repeat between **, making two tr's into each stitch.
Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3 and fasten off (you should now have 22 stitches in your circle)

Round 3 ::  join a new colour by knotting it tightly and leaving tails to darn in, then pull a loop through to the front (as shown above).
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then tr into same stitch.
*tr once into next stitch, then tr twice into next stitch*.
Repeat between **, alternating between single and double tr's in each stitch.
Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3 and fasten off.

Round 4 :: Join in a new colour and pull a loop through to front to begin.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then tr into same stitch.
*tr once into next 2 stitches, tr twice into next stitch*.
Repeat between ** until you complete the round.
Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3 and fasten off.

Round 5 :: Join in a new colour and pull a loop through to front to begin.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then tr into same stitch.
*tr once into next 3 stitches, tr twice into next stitch*.
Repeat between ** until you complete the round.
Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3 and fasten off.

Round 6 :: Join in a new colour and pull a loop through to front to begin.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then tr into same stitch.
*tr once into next 4 stitches, tr twice into next stitch*.
Repeat between ** until you complete the round.
Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3 and fasten off.

Round 7 :: Join in a new colour and pull a loop through to front to begin.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 tr), then tr into same stitch.
*tr once into next 5 stitches, tr twice into next stitch*.
Repeat between ** until you complete the round.
Slip stitch to 3rd chain of initial chain 3 and fasten off.

Can you see the pattern emerging here? Each round you increase the gap between the 2-tr stitches by 1.
You should be producing a reasonably flat circle which forms the bottom of the bag, and you can choose how big to make it. My bag has 14 of these increase rows in total, so in the final row 14, there should be 12 single tr's in between each 2-tr. Hope that makes sense.

Now when you're happy you have the size of bottom you require (!!), all you need to do is stop increasing, ie stop making any 2-tr stitches. In the picture above, my last increase round was the deep red colour :: the mustardy yellow  colour was then the first round with no increase, see?
Isn't this so easy?
All you do now is continue changing yarn colours and simply work tr stitches all the way round (I think its roughly 154 stitches for each round, I just counted on my bag). Remember to continue working with the outside/right side facing you, don't get confused and suddenly begin working from the inside like I did, cos it goes all wrong.
You can decide how deep you wish to make it :: my bag has 38 rows total :: 14 for the bottom, and 24 to make the sides.



SHELL EDGING
This is a lovely way to finish off the top of the bag, and is pretty easy to do. It only involves clusters of dc stitches and slip stitches, with gaps in between.
Make sure the outside of the bag is facing you, you are working the edging from the outside.
Join in a new colour and pull a loop through to the front to begin.
*Skip 2 stitches, then tr 7 times into the next stitch.
Skip 2 stitches, then slip stitch into the next stitch.*
Repeat between **



HANDLES
These can be as long or short as you like :: the ones I made measure 64cm long.
I wanted them quite tight and strong so I used long lines of Double Crochet (single crochet for US peeps).
So make a long chain the length you would like the handles to be, I think mine were roughly 95 stitches.
*Begin in 2nd chain from hook and work a row of dc to the end.
Now you can tie in a new colour if you like, or keep the one single colour.
Chain 2 and turn*.
Continue working rows of dc as above between **, making the straps as wide as you like (mine were 7 rows, 3cm wide).

I know it's obvious really, but don't forget you'll need to make two handles.

Position the handles on the bag (I spaced mine to have 4 "shell edgings" between each end of the handle (see top picture). Pin in place, overlapping the handle onto the outside of the bag by about 4cm or so. Stitch in place :: stitch thoroughly right round the end of the handle, as firmly as you can make it. You'll be able to cover up the stitching with a flower motif so don't worry too much about what it looks like, just make it strong.

The pattern for the crochet flowers and leaves that sit neatly at the base of the handles can be found HERE. The flowers add such a sweet finishing touch, but they also do a good job at covering up the stitching/base of the handles.

And there you have it. One crocheted bag.
I am absolutely crocheted out, my head hurts. I am seeing stars.
I hope for those of you who have waited for this pattern, that it was worth the wait, that it makes sense and that you might be inspired to give it a go.



Now I'm off to have a cup of tea and a rock bun and a weeny rest......I think I deserve it.

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xx Thank you xx

Comments

[BaMbY]

Lindos trabalhos, lindos sacos.

[Silvia]

I’m so hungry! It’s your pattern! https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=8357&cid=4#add

[George M-C]

I am new to crochet and was recommended y
This site... It is I'm formative, fun, friendly and real. I love this bag but as I have little understanding especially about yarn types please can I ask can I use an acrylic aran rather than 100% wool, mainly due to cost and I may go wrong ALOT!! Also how much wool do you think I'd need? I'd estimate about 8 balls but I may be wrong? Thank you for the inspiration!!

[Ína Sif Stefánsdóttir]

This lovely bag caught my grandmothers eye when we were surfing the web for inspiration. I translated the pattern along with the flower pattern for her into icelandic, I wondered if you would like to add it to your ravelry post for other icelanders to enjoy?

[Nathalie]

Pour ceux et celles qui désirent les instructions en francais, faites comme moi. Un copier-coller dans Google Traduction et le tour est joué!!!

[Veronica Davis]

Newly hooked!
Have made three little crochet bowls and am now hooked on crochet - ordered wool for this super bag and with a week's holiday due soon hope to get to well under way mid March. Wish me luck - Dahlia `blanket next on the list. I love the flowers - grow lots pf them am]nd must have a blanket to match. Thank you for your blog. I'm loving it already.

[Monique BAZZO]

Bonjour
Pourriez vous s il vous plait traduire les explication pour les maillzs je ne comprend pas
Merci

[France]

Est ce possible d’avoir le patron en français, merci

[Alice Forbes]

Hi is there a pattern for the original picture on this Pinterest post? I love how the straps a crocheted straight from the body. Thanks

[marie antoinette ECLINA]

pour la traduction, télécharger google crome sur votre ordi à côté de l'etoile des favoris vous avez un petit icone g et cela vous permettra de traduire automatiquement vos textes j'ai ce systeme sur mon ordi et cela fonctionne tres bien

[Cognault]

Bonjour,
Je viens de découvrir votre joli sac réalisé avec des restes de laine.
Serait-il possible d'obtenir la traduction ?
Un grand merci
Evelyne Cognault

[Heidi]

Can't wait to make this! I've been thinking about a nice big bag and this is JUST PERFECT!

[Anne-Marie Viviers]

Would love to make this but I need a printed pattern, please
Would it be possible to send me the pdf please

[Annerose]

Looks such a lovely pattern, as I have a lot of wool I will make one for myself to use. Just love the pattern. Thanks Annerose

[margaret]

I have started this bag using dk yarn with a 4 hook but my rows are waving , I tried a 3 hook and still waving when I get to row 6 what do you sugest

[Yvonne]

Where can I purchase that particular yarn & all those perfect colors?
I need to make that bag as its stunning!

[suzanne Guichard]

svp traduction français Merci

[Pat o]

I give in, I’m addicted, I’m hooked!
It started off really slow, now I have a huge box full of wool, I am almost at the end of the cup cake blanket, have a woodland blanket waiting, calling me from it’s dark little box, I plan to make a wool bag first!
I bought you a coffee, thank you for saving my sanity’s during the world cup⚽️

[Rachel]

Hi Lucy,
just wanted to say Thank you for your lovely blog. I really do appreciate all the time you take to explain so clearly-I have made this bag- my first big(ish) project and really enjoyed it EXCEPT- I am obviously doing something wrong when I start the new row- my bag has a funny lumpy bit in that area and you can see there is something not quite right along that "seam" if you have time please could you explain to me how to start a new row- I finish off the old row and tie on the new yarn to start the next but then not sure where to insert hook to pull through a loop because I am at the chain bit of the row above so there isn't really a stitch- I kind of made it up each time which is probably why it looks a bit wonky. Also I have even more respect for your amazing way with colour - I thought I would just work out the colours as I went and that didn't work out so well for me- I will stick to projects that you recommend yarn packs for in future! Thanks again Lucy _Regards Rachel

[tom]

To the Jackie Daugherty and Crochet World magazine. Ex editor from More magazine Abby Perlman recently got involved in dangerous coraption business with crazy CBS anchor Otis Livingston to steal money from Crochet World magazine employees bank accounts never trust Abby Perlman and Otis Livingston they belong in prison!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pierrette Dubois]

Trop trop beau si je s avais faire du crochet . Plus qu a trouvé Quelqu' un qui pourrais me le faire ? Merci

[Diane]

Hi Lucy, love this bag, can you tell me approximately how many balls of aran wool required to make it! Love your blog, full of inspiration! Thank you

[Melissa]

I'm loving the bag so far. I've gotten about halfway up the sides and can't wait to add the ripple edge on the top!
Thanks for this pattern. I'm going to try your Woodland Blanket CAL as well. Love your site - it's very beautiful and full of helpful crochet information.

[Elizabeth (Earl Grey Crochet)]

Thanks for sharing this pattern Lucy. I'm currently working on it, but in a colour block version (so pretty much use grey unto I run out/feel its done, then switch to mint). Just wondering if you have a recommended diameter in centimeters for the bag, to hold the 15 balls of one of your yarn packs? Sorry if you mentioned it and I've missed it!

[Linda Woodman]

Dear friend,
I'm delighted to read your useful blog. How refreshing it is to read something from someone who is happy. I'm not from the UK but I'm sure your pattern will not be as difficult as the Swedish one I've been working on. Will you have yarn bundles to purchase for the woodland autumn blanket?