Monday 7 February 2011

The Rolly Bag!

Yeah yeah, all I ever do here now is post patterns, but you don't want to listen to me blethering on about nothing all the time? Right? Any way, another free pattern for you, don't say I'm any thing but nice ;-)

Rolly Bag




Inspired by a bag I saw at a recent craft fair, this bag is made from a new yarn called Hoopla, made from selvedge material from t-shirt making. Its a very stretch jersey type material and is surprisingly easy to work with and lends its self to crochet very well!

Download the PDF version of this pattern here


You will need:

2 cones of Hoopla yarn (I used Key Lime Pie and Purple Nurple) or any bulky yarn (approx 200 yards) in two colours


8mm and 6mm crochet hooks.


Stitch marker.


Two safety pins


Instructions:

DC= Double crochet

(Please note this pattern uses British crochet terms (DC=SC in US terms))


Main body

Using the 8mm hook, chain 50 stitches in your main colour

Row 1) DC in 2nd stitch from end and continue to end, chain one and turn

Row 2) DC in the back loop of the stitch (as you look at the V, dc in the leg furthest from you!) This will give the raised up edge you can see in the picture. Continue to the end, chain 1 and turn.

Repeat row 2 16 more times and fasten off at the end of the last row.


End pieces (make two)

Using the 8mm hook and your contrast colour, chain 4 and join to form a ring (use marker to note start of ring)

Round 1) 2DC in every stitch (8 stitches)

Round 2) *DC in next stitch, 2DC in the next stitch, repeat from * until end

Round 3) *DC in next 2 stitches, 2DC in the next stitch, repeat from * until end

Continue as set, increasing the space between the 2DCs until you have reached 6 spaces in between the 2DCs and fasten off.


Bag Handle

Using 6mm hook, chain 4 stitches

Row 1) DC in second space, and work unil the end, chain 1 and turn.

Repeat until bag handle is desired length and fasten off.

Making up

The main body piece has a natural curl, so we are going to exploit this some what! Roll your body piece to make a tube, leaving an overlap of about 3 inches (this is for your bag flap) and pin in place on both sides. Take one of your end pieces and your contrast colour, use slip stitch to join both pieces together, but leave the overlap hanging free.

One you have done one side, repeat on the other, attach the handle on either side of the tube in your desired place, weave in ends and you are done!


This is my first crochet pattern and the making up has been hard to explain, so if you have any questions or suggestions, please get in touch!



Naturally this is a free pattern, and you are free to use it for your own personal use, but you are not allowed to sell any finished items, or distribute the pattern without prior permission or crediting the work to my self!