Crochet Bag

Bag:


2 skeins (6oz) Lion Wool – Sage (main color)
Hexagon: (I used motif #30 from Beyond The Squares Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman)




Less than 1oz each of wool in 3 coordinating colors (example uses Lion Wool in Sage, Lion Wool in Flower Garden, and Paton’s Wool in Teal)


Crochet Hook size H


Button (optional)


Note: All stitches are worked through both loops.


Bag Foundation:


Row 1: Using Main Color, chain 36, sc in second chain from hook and in chain across; 35 sc total.


Row 2 – 12: Ch 1, sc in each stitch across.


Row 13 – Ch 1, sc in next 34 sc, 2 sc in the last stitch (36sc total).


Turn piece 90 degrees and evenly work 14 sc along the short edge.


Turn piece 90 degrees; place 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 33 stitches, 2 sc in last stitch.


Turn piece 90 degrees and evenly work 14 sc along opposite short edge.


(There should now be a total of 100 stitches around your rectangle foundation.) Do NOT fasten off. Place a marker in the last stitch of short edge.
Sides:




Continue to sc crochet (in the round) your piece until side measures 5 inches from marker (or desired depth). Before fastening off, I usually slip stitch for 2 -3 stitches to make the edge a little smoother. Fasten off.


Side Pleats: (See photos)
Lay lower portion of the bag on a flat surface and fold short ends up like Photo A above. With short edge facing you, fold each side of the top edge in toward the center to make 2 pleats. (see Photo B) Pin in place. Repeat for opposite end. Starting at pleat, attach yarn and sc through all layers of the pleat and evenly around the top edge of the bag. (72 sc). Chain 1, sc around 1 more row. Do Not fasten off.




Back Flap:




Chain 1, turn. Now working in rows, sc along top(back) edge of bag for 26 sc.


Chain 1, turn. Work 26 sc in each row for 10 rows, then sc 2 together at each end until there are 16 sc remaining. Fasten off.


Position your hexagon onto the flap and sew in place. (See Photo E)


Handles: Chain 7


Row 1: sc in second chain from hook and in each stitch across (6 sc total)


Row 2 – 3 sc in each stitch across (6 sc each row), ss to 1st stitch in row 3 and sc continuously “in the round” until handle measures 15 ½ inches from beginning.


Last 3 rows: chain 1, turn, sc in next 6 sc, chain 1, turn, complete 2 more rows, fasten off.


Attach handles to inside of each short edge on main body of bag.


Optional Button/Loop for Flap Closure:


Attach yarn to center of flap edge and chain 10 to create a loop. Center and sew button to bag.


Photo E

Photo D