Vintage flower bag

I thought I'd share this little pattern for a bag which I designed over the weekend. Hope you enjoy it!

Materials:

2x balls of Rowan Siena in colour A

2x balls of Rowan Siena in colour B.

2.5 mm hook.

Motif

Notes:

To work a 3 treble cluster:

*Yarn round hook, put hook through chain space, yarn round hook, pull yarn through chain space, yarn round hook, pull through first two loops on hook** (one loop remaining on hook). Repeat from * to ** noting that with each repeat you will have gained an extra loop on your hook at the end. Work 3 repeats in total for a 3 treble cluster, and work 5 repeats in total for a 5 treble cluster.

Motif instructions

Chain 4, join into a ring using a slip stitch.

Round 1: Chain 5 (forms first treble and 2 chain). Working into the centre of the ring work *1 treble, chain 2 – repeat from * 4 times more. End by slip stitching into 3^rd of 5 chain worked at start of round. You should now have 6 chain spaces.

Round 2: Work 1 *3 treble cluster, 3 chain, 1 3 treble cluster into first chain space (so you’re working 2 treble clusters into each of the 6 chain spaces). Chain 3 repeat from * to end of round, ending with a 3 chain and slip stitch into top of first 3 treble cluster

Round 3: Work 1 *5 treble cluster into first chain space. Chain 5, repeat from * to end of round, working 1 5 treble cluster into each chain space. End round with 5 chain and slip stitching into top of first 5 treble cluster of the round.

Round 4: Chain 4 into first chain space. Continuing to work in 1st chain space, work 2 double trebles, 2 chain, 4 double trebles. This forms the first corner of the motif. *Work 4 trebles into next chain space, then 4 trebles into next chain space. Work 4 double trebles, 2 chain, 4 double trebles into next chain space. Repeat from to end of round. Finish round by slip stitching into top of 4 chain from start of round.

Make 6 motifs for each bag panel.

Making up body of bag

Double crochet edges of motifs together to join to form a square. When you have joined enough motifs to form the first side, work a round of double crochet around the entire edge of that side. 

Work 2 rows of treble crochet across one edge – this will form the opening edge of the bag.

Repeat the process on the motifs for the second side of the bag.

To join the 2 sides to form the body of the bag, holding the two sides together with wrong sides facing inwards, double crochet the sides together around three of the edges (the fourth edge of left open). 

Work 1 row of double crochet around the opening of the bag. 

Handles – make 2

Chain 121. Work 1 dc in 2^nd chain from hook. Work 1 dc into each chain to end. Chain 1 and turn. Work a further 5 rows of dc then fasten off.

Attach the handles to the bag inside the opening.

Striped bag

Something else I've been working on in the last week or so.....

Inspired by Attic 24 (again) I made my own version of a striped crochet bag. I have to admit I didn't follow the pattern, but just made it up as I went along.

I'm fairly pleased with the way it came out. I think I probably could have made the bag a bit bigger and the handles a bit shorter, but never mind!

What I do love are the little flowers hiding where the handles are sewn onto the body! I made up the pattern quickly myself:

Chain 4 and join into a ring with a slip stitch.
Round 1: chain 5, *work 1 treble into ring, chain 2. Repeat from * five times more. Finish by slip stitching into 3rd of 5 chain from start of round.
Round 2: work 1 dc, 1 half treble, 1 treble, 1 double treble, 1 treble, 1 half treble, 1 dc into each of the 6 chain spaces made in 1st round. Slip stitch into first dc from start of round to finish.

Then fasten off, and sew into place with a button in the centre! I think they look so cheerful and cute. They definately put the finishing touch to the bag.

Summery stripe tote bag

At the moment I seem to be going a bit crazy for crocheting in stripes!

I've made a little tote bag, big enough to fit your book, purse, keys and mobile and a few other bits and pieces.

This was made using 2 colours of Rowan Cotton Glace and a 3.5mm crochet hook.

The bag has flat construction with no bottom. Each side is identical. To make the sides I chained 60 to start then worked in double crochet for two rows before switching to the second colour and then back again after another 2 rows. To make the handles I made a chain of 8 stiches, then worked in double crochet until the handles were as long as I wanted. Then attached the handles to the bag.

I also made an attempt at including a zip pocket in the lining to create compartments in the bag. It would have worked out fine, if my zip hadn't been a little too long, which causes the pocket to ruck up a little! Still, I consider this bag a prototype, and plan to make another where I have learned from my mistakes!