This beach themed bag reminds me of the sun & sea with it’s 3D starfish and conch shells as decorations. I was inspired by the Maltese summers an beaches in Malta.
This tote bag design brings to my mind , the flower power generation, the 60s, hippies, Boho-chic – I think of music festivals, painted Volkswagon Beetles and vans – even the scoobie Doo mystery machine…..
So now, I will share with you my pattern to make this gogeous tote. I used a variagated yarn by “Katia” to make the bag and handle, but you can mix your own colours. The little daisies were made using acrylic yarn. All in all, one ball of 150g (approx 540m) was sufficient to make the a bag measuring approx 32 x 32cm + handle with yarn left over. For the sake of illustrating the pattern, however, I decided to use a lighter colour yarn as the photos are clearer – but the pattern used for the main picture above is the same. You can then choose how you want to decorate it – be it with little flowers, beads or whatever you fancy.
N.B. this pattern is written using US terms.
ABBREVIATIONS
CH – chain
SC – single crochet
DC – double crochet
Step 1 – CH 73
Step 2 – 72 SC
Step 3 – Work all the way round the row from Step 1, making another 72 SC across from what you made in step 2. Join to first SC from step 2 with a slip stitch
Step 4 – CH 1. 144 SC in the back loop of SC from steps 2 and 3. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 5 – CH 1. Repeat (DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 10 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row)) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 6 – CH 1. Repeat (SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 8 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 7 – CH 1. Repeat (2 SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 6 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, 2 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 8 – CH 1. Repeat (3 SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 4 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, 3 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 9 – CH 1. Repeat (4 SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 2 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, 4 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 10 – CH 1. Repeat (6 SC in back loop. 2 DC in front loop of next 2 SC from previous row. Skip 2 SC. 6 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 11 – CH 1. Repeat (4 SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 2 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, 4 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 12 – CH 1. Repeat (3 SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 4 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, 3 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch. (N.b. photos from this point on show one side of the bag only)
Step 13 – CH 1. Repeat (2 SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 6 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, 2 SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 14 – CH 1. Repeat (SC in back loop. DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 8 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row), skip 1 SC, SC in back loop) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 15 – CH 1. Repeat (DC in front loop of SC from previous row. Skip 1 SC. 10 SC in back loop of SC. DC in front loop of SC under the next SC (i.e. DC is in SC from previous row)) 12 times. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 16 – Repeat from Step 6 to Step 15 6 more times.
Step 17 – CH 1. 144 SC in the back loop of SC . Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 18 – CH 1. 144 SC in the front loop of same SCs in whose back loops you used in step 17. Join to first SC with a slip stitch.
Step 19 – CH 1. 144 SCs through SCs made in step 17 and 18 – i.e. the SCs you make now are through both SCs from previous 2 steps. Join to first SCs with slip stitch.
Now the body has been completed, but don’t cast off yet, as you will make the handle.
Step 20 – 2 slip stitches in 2 SC from previous step.
Step 21 – CH 151. Slip stitch into SC on top of bag main part on the opposite side
Step 22 – 150 SC into chains from step 21. Slip Stitch into top of bag.
Step 23 – Turn and make another 150 SC across into same Chain from step 21 – so you will have two SCs in each chain fom step 21. Slip stitch into SC on main bag to secure.
Step 24 – CH 1. Slip stitch into SC on main bag. 150 SC through back loop of SC from step 23 and SC from step 22. Slip stitch into SC on main bag to secure.
Step 25 – CH 1. Slip stitch into SC on main bag. 150 SC through back loops of SCs from step 23 and 24. Slip stitch into SC on main bag to secure.
Step 26 – Repeat Step 25 12 times.
Step 26 – CH 1. Slip stitch into SC on main bag. 150 slip stitches into the SCs from last 2 steps . Slip stitch into SC on main bag to secure. Cast off and weave in the ends.
There is nothing new under the sun – this phrase is from the Book of Ecclesiastes – and one I choose to interpret this as – there is a lot of inspiration to be found in history.
This Tote bag design is inspired by ancient Roman mosaic found in the the Domvs Romana, in Mdina Malta. The Domus (or house) is believed to have been built in 1st century BC .
Cluster of 2 FDC (1st DC around leg of next blue DC, 2nd DC under blue cluster), skip brown stitch, 5 SC
29 SC in front brown loop
5 SC
Cluster of 2 FDC (1st DC under blue cluster, 2nd DC around leg of next blue DC), skip brown stitch, 2 SC
Repeat (DC around blue DC leg, skip 1 brown stitch, 2 SC) twice
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 1 SC instead of 2 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 91 – Purple Yarn
SC on blue DC.
2 FDC around leg of purple DC, skip 2 blue stitches, 6 SC
29 SC on back loops of brown stitches
6 SC on blue stitches
2 FDC around leg of purple DCs, skip 2 green stitches, SC
2 FDC around leg of purple DC, skip 2 stitches
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 92 – Brown Yarn
5 SC (1st, 3rd & 4th on pueple DC).
2 FTR around legs of next 2 brown DCs. Skip 2 stitches
35 SC in back loops of purple stitches
2 FTR in next 2 brown DCs, skip 2 purple stitches, 10 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 5 SC instead of 10 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 93 – White Yarn
9 SC (7th & 8th on brown DC).
Group of 6 DC into single purple front loop (the 1st of 29 SC from Step 91), skip 5 stitches, 2 SC
Repeat (Group of 6 DC into single purple front loop (the 7th from previous group), skip 5 stitches, 2 SC) 4 times
14 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 7 SC instead of 14 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 94 – Purple Yarn
SC (on 4th SC from white DC).
2 FDC around legs of purple DCs, skip 3 stitches, SC
Repeat (2 FDC around legs of purple DCs, skip 2 stitches, SC) 2 times, SC
2 DC in front purple loop, skip 2 stitches.
(5 SC behind white DCs (in brown stitches), 2 DC in 3rd and 4th purple loop in front of white DC) 4 times,
5 SC behind white DCs (in brown stitches), 2 DC in front loop of purple stitches, skip 2 stitches, 2SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 95 – Blue Yarn
3 SC (3rd on purple DC).
Cluster of 2 FTR (1st TR aroud blue cluster and the 2nd around leg of blue DC), 7 SC
Cluster of 2 FTR (1st TR aroud leg of blue DC and the 2nd around blue cluster), 3 SC
36 SC in back loop of blue
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 96 – Brown Yarn
2 SC.
2 FTR around legs of brown DCs, skip 1 blue stitch, 9 SC (1st and 9th on blue clusters)
2 FTR around legs of brown DCs, skip 1 blue stitch, 40 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 38 SC instead of 40 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 97 – White Yarn
21 SC (5th, 6th, 16th & 17th on brown DC).
Repeat [Cluster of 6 columns (1st and 6th being FTRs and the ones in between FDCs – i.e. FTR, 4FDCs, FTR ) around the legs of the white DCs, skip 2 stitches, 5SC] 5 times
18 SC (1st and 2nd, 12th and 13th on brown DC)
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2 SC instead of 5 SC and join with slip stitch. Cast off the white yarn.
Step 98 – Purple Yarn
2 SC (both on same white cluster).
TR in front loop of 1st purple DC.
FTR around leg of the same purple DC as in step 2.
TR in front loop of 2nd purple DC.
FTR around leg of the same purple DC as in step 4.
skip 6 stitches, 4SC
2 FDC around legs of purple DCs, skip 2 stitches, 4 SC
FTR around leg of the 1st purple DC.
TR in front loop of the same purple DC as in step 8.
FTR around leg of the 2nd purple DC.
TR in front loop of the same purple DC as in step 10.
skip 6 stitches
Repeat (2 SC, DC in front purple loop, FDC around leg of same purple DCs, skip 4 stitches) 4 times
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch. Cast-off the purple yarn.
Step 99 – Blue Yarn
12 SC in front loop.
Cluster of 2 TR (each TR around green cluster), skip 2 stitches
42 SC in front loops.
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 30 SC instead of 42 SC and join with slip stitch. Cast off the blue yarn.
Step 100 – Brown Yarn
SC (before blue cluster from last round).
Cluster of 4 FTR around legs of a brown DCs. skip 1 stitch, SC
SC all the way till you get to the stitch before the next blue cluster from last round, closing pockets as you go along.
Repeat from (1) all the way round, join with slip stitch and cast off.
Once it is complete, you will need to steam iron this on the reverse side to smooth it out. And you are done! Please leave your feedback and get in touch in case you have any questions.
Cluster of 2 FTR in next 2 brown DCs, Skip 1 white stitch, 23 SC (12th on white cluster)
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 8 SC instead of 23 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 41 – Blue Yarn
4 SC (1st on 8th SC after brown cluster)
Cluster of 2 FTR through the blue TR, Skip 1 brown stitch, 23 SC (12th on the brown cluster)
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 19 SC instead of 23 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 42 – Brown Yarn
You should have 193 stitches now in the previous row. We need to increase this to 196 (a number divisible by 7) in this row. SC all the way round in each stitch but add 3 sadditional stitches along the way (I spread mine out – making 2 SC in 1 stitch every 65 stitches). Join with slip stitch.
Step 43 – White Yarn
2 SC in back loops, Skip 2 brown stitches, 3 DC in next stitch
SC in same stitch, 3 DCs in the same stitch,
Skip 2 stitches, Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 44 – Blue Yarn
6 SC (1st on 6th DC)
Cluster in white SC, 8 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2 SC instead of 6 SC and join with slip stitch
Step 45 – White Yarn
2 SC (1st in 4th blue SC from cluster)
3 FDC in white DCs, SC in blue cluster
3 FDC in white DCs
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch
Step 46 – Brown Yarn
SC on last white DC
2 TR in front brown loop (see pic), Skip 2 white stitches, 7SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 6 SC instead of 7 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 47 – White Yarn
Use back loop when working in brown TR or SC
6 SC (1st on the 6th SC are around brown DC)
Cluster of 6 DCs in white DC
Skip 3 brown stitches, repeat from (1) all gthe way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 48 – White Yarn
1 CH, SC all the way round and join with slip stitch
Step 49 – Brown Yarn
SC in the SC before white cluster
Cluster 2 DCs in brown front loops (this is done with one DC in brown front loop before the white cluster and the 2nd DC in brown front loop straight after the white cluster – when complete, you will get an inverted “V” shape around the white cluster as seen in the 2nd photo below)
DC in the same brown front loop used for the 2nd brown DC which you made as part of the brown DC cluster above – therefore you will now have 2 DCs in the 2nd brown front loop ( the one after the white cluster)
DC in the next brown front loop
FDC in leg of brown TR
2 FDCs in leg of 2nd brown TR
DC in next brown front loop.
Repeat from (2) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 50 – Blue Yarn
You should have 196 stitches now in the previous row. We need to decrease this to 192 in this row. SC all the way round in each stitch, closing any pockets, and also reducing by the 4 stitches along the way. Join with slip stitch.
Step 51 – White Yarn
HDC in back loop of each stitch all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 52 – Brown Yarn
N.B. Any SC falling on white SC to be done in back loop
2 DC in same blue SC front loop
Skip 1white stitch, 3 SC
Skip 1 blue stitch 2 DC in next blue SC
Skip 1 white stitch, SC
Skip 3 blue stitches, repeat from (1) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish on step 4 and join with slip stitch.
Step 53 – Blue Yarn
5 SC (1st, 3rd, 4th on brown DC)
DC in blue front loop
skip 1 brown stitch, 7 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2 SC instead of 7 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 54 – White Yarn
5 SC
DC in front loop of white HDC
FDC in leg of same HDC, Skip 1 blue stitch, SC in back loop of blue DC
DC in front loop of white HDC
FDC in leg of same HDC, skip 1 blue stitch
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 55 – Brown Yarn
2 SC (on white DCs)
2 FDC on legs of brown DCs
2 FDs on legs of next brown DCs, Skip 5 white stitches,
5 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 3 SC instead of 5 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 56 – Blue Yarn
8 SC ( 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th fall on brown DC) and close any pockets as you go along
DC in front loop of blue DC
DC in leg of same DC, Skip 1 brown stitch,
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch.
Step 57 – White Yarn
2 SC (on blue DCs)
2 FDC on white DC, Skip 2 blue stitches, 4 SC in back loop
2 FDC on white DC, skip 2 blue stitches,
Repeat from (1) all the way round and join with slip stitch
Step 58 – Brown Yarn
5 SC
2 FDC in the brown DCs, Skip 1 white stitch, SC
2 FDC in the brown DCs, Skip 2 white stitches, 6 SC, closing pockets along the way
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 1 SC instead of 6 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 59 – Blue Yarn
2 SC
Cluster of 2 DC in blue DCs, Skip 2 brown stitches, 9 SCs
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 7 SC instead of 9 SC and join with slip stitch.
DC into front loop of next purple DC (you will see the white cluster infront of it)
FDC into 3rd purple DC
Skip 3 white stitches, SC
FDC into each purple DC (i.e 3 FDCs)
Skip 3 white stitches, 3 SC
FDC into each purple DC (i.e 3FDCs)
Skip 3 white stitches, repeat from (1) all the way round. and join with slip stitch.
Step 22 – Brown Yarn
SC on 3rd purple DC
Repeat (FDC into brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 3 SC) twice
FDC into brown DC
Skip purple stitch, SC
FDC into brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 3 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2SC instead of 3 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 23 – White Yarn
11 SC
FDC into white DC
Skip brown stitch, 13 SCs
Repeat from (1) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2SC instead of 13 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 24 – Purple Yarn
2 SC (1st in next SC after white DC)
DC3tog into the 3 purple DCs, Skip 1 white stitch, SC
SC into back loop, 1 SC
3 FDC into purple DCs, Skip 1 white stitch, SC
SC into back loop, 1 SC
DC3tog into the 3 purple DCs, Skip 1 white stitch, 2 SC
SC into back loop (on white DC)
Repeat from (1) all the way round and close with slip stitch
Step 25 – Brown Yarn
3 SC ( 1st on 3rd SC after DC3tog)
FTR2tog into brown DC and next brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 2 SC
FDC into same brown DC as (2), Skip purple stitch, 3 SC
FDC into next brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 2 SC
FTR2tog into same brown DC as (4), and next brown DC, Skip puplre stitch, 5 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2SC instead of 5 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 26 – Blue Yarn
SC on brown FTR2tog
2 DC into front loop of white DC, Skip 2 brown stitches, SC in back loop of SC
2 DC in the same white front loop of white DC as in (2), Skip 2 brown stitches, 11 SC
Repeat from (2) all around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 10 SC instead of 11 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 27 – White Yarn
4 SC ( 3rd and 4th on blue DCs), SC in back loop
4 SC (1st and 2nd on blue DCs)
2 DC in front loop of white DC, Skip 2 blue stitches, 3 SC
2 DC in front loop of white SC, skip 2 blue stitches
Repeat from (1) all the way round and close with slip stitch.
Step 28 – Purple Yarn
All SCs on white DCs to be done on back loop of white DC.
5 SC (1st on white DC)
PC (popcorn) in blue front loop, Skip next white stitch, 7 SC (5th and 6th on white DCs)
TR3tog into 3 purple DCs, Skip white stitch, 7 SC (2nd and 3rd on white DCs)
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2 SC instead of 7 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 29 – Brown Yarn
2 SC (1st on 2nd SC from TR3tog)
FTR into brown DC, 3 SC, SC in back loop
2 SC (one in popcorn , one in stitch closing popcorn), SC in back loop, 3 SC
FTR into brown DC, 3 SC
FTR2 tog into next 2 brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 3 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 1 SC instead of 3 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 30 – Blue Yarn
4 SC (4th on brown DC)
FTR in next 2 blue DC, Skip 2 brown stitches, 6 SC
FTR in next 2 blue DC, Skip 2 brown stitches, 9 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 5 SC instead of 9 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 31 – White Yarn
SC into SC after blue TR
FTR into leg of first white DC
TR in front loop of 2nd white DC
FTR into leg of the same white DC
FTR into leg of first white DC
TR in front loop of 2nd white DC
FTR into leg of the same white DC
Skip 7 blue stitches, 12 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 11 SC instead of 12 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 32 – Purple Yarn
12 SC (3rd,4th,5th,6th,7th & 8th are on white DC)
PC (popcorn) in front loop of purple stitch, Skip 2 white stitches, SC in front loop of white stitch.
PC (popcorn) in front loop of purple stitch, Skip 1 white stitch, 14 SC. N.B – when doing SC, insert hook through blue stitches from Row 30 to close any pockets.
Repeat from (2) all the way around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 2 SC instead of 14 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 33 – Brown Yarn
4 SC
FTR into brown DC, 4 SC
FTR into next brown DC, 15 SC (7th and 10th in Popcorn closing loop)
Repeat from (2) all the way around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 11 SC instead of 15 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 34 – Blue Yarn
SC (on 11th brown SC from brown DC)
FTR into blue DC x 2, Skip 1 brown stitch, 12 SC (4th 9th are on brown DC)
FTR into blue DC x 2, Skip 1 brown stitch, 7 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way around. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 6 SC instead of 7 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 35 – White Yarn
9SC (3rd and 4th are on blue DC)
FTR2tog in 1st and 2nd white DC
FTR through next 2 white DC
FTR2tog in 5th and 6th white DC, Skip 2 blue stitches, 21 SC (6th, 7th, 15th & 16th on blue DCs)
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 12 SC instead of 21 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 36 – Purple Yarn
21 SC (10th on white 1st tr2tog). N.B. close pocket with SC 11 and 12.
4 TR in front white loop (see pic above), Skip 3 white stitches, Repeat from (1) all the way round and close with a slip stitch.
Step 37 – Brown Yarn
10 SC (1st on 4th purple TR)
FTR into brown DC, Skip one purple stitch, SC
FTR into brown DC, Skip one purple stitch, 22 SC. N.B. close pocket with SC 11,12 & 13 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 12 SC instead of 22 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 38 – Blue Yarn
SC (1st on 12th SC from brown DC)
FTR through the 2 blue DCs, Skip 1 brown stitch, 19 SC
FTR through the 2 blue DCs, Skip 1 brown stitch, 4 SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 3 SC instead of 4 SC and join with slip stitch.
Step 39 – White Yarn
2 SC (1st stitch on blue TR)
FDC4tog in 4 DC, Skip 2 blue stitches, 11 SC
Do together (FTR in 2 white TRs,DC in next white TR,FTR in 2 white TRs), Skip next blue stitch, 11 SCs
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with 9 SC instead of 11 SC and join with slip stitch.
04/05/2019 – Latest update: I have just found out that the designer of this awesome pattern is a very talented Russian lady named Evgenia Tychenko. I am blown over by her talent! If you would like to see more of her wonderful designs then you should visit: https://vk.com/tychenko_crochet .
I came across this most beautiful project on a Russian site (https://www.liveinternet.ru/users/5915568/post413209748/) – and not surprisingly, the pattern was in Russian. So, like all non-Russian speakers, off I went to translate it using Google Translate . Let’s just say that the outcome was not what I hoped for. While Google Translate is an awesome tool, it is not geared towards specialist terms used in crochet – so this was quite a challenge. With lots of searches on pinterest, and other Russian sites, I managed to make some sense of the pattern. The rest was then fine-tuned using trial and error – and boy, did I have to redo large parts or what! Nonetheless, I would say that it was worth it!
I posted the end result on my facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/manjrisplace) and also in a number of crochet groups – and have been asked by many for the pattern. So, I have now published my translation of the pattern here in parts (Thank you Evgenia for your permission to do so!!). It has taken some time to do as I followed her method by photgraphing the project step by step as I went along, to make the pattern easier to follow. You can use your own colour scheme , but I have used for this instructionsal project brown, white (actually cream), purple and light blue. If you do try this project out, I would love to see some photos!
You will need 4 colours of yarn. I used acrylic DK yarn and a size 4mm hook. The end result is a mat which is approximately 75cm in diameter. I dont know exactly how much yarn I used, but I would say around 200-250g of each colour will do the trick.
Instructions – Part 1
Legend:
CH – Chain Stitch
SC – Single Crochet
HDC –Half Double Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
TR – Treble Crochet
PC – Popcorn – 5 DC together in one loop. CH 1.
Cluster stitch – (Yarn over, insert hook into designated stitch, loop through) 3 times – now you will have 7 loops on the hook – yarn over and pull through all the stitches.
Method to join a new colour:
Leave the last loop or colour free. Join new colour into 2nd stitch to the right from the free one with a SC.
Insert hook into the next stitch (next to free loop of previous colour) and pull yarn through. Insert hook into free loop of previous colour. YO and pull through all 3 stitches. SC all the way round.
When you get to the start of the row, insert hook into the same loop as in step 1 and make an SC
Pattern
Step 1 – Brown Yarn
CH 5. Close into ring
10 SC into the ring.
16 DC into ring over SC
Step 2 – White Yarn
2 DC in back loop of each DC from previous step, all the way round and close by slip stitch into first DC
Step 3 – Brown Yarn
2 SC
2DC in brown front loop
skip 2 stitches (white loops), 2 SC, skip 1 brown front loop
2 DC in the next front loop
repeat from (3) all the way round – close with slip stitch
Step 4 – Brown Yarn
SC in each stitch. When doing SC in brown DC, capture also the back loop of white DC from previous row all the way round and close with slip stitch.
Step 5 – White Yarn
2 SC (1st on 2nd brown DC)
2 FDC on white DC from row 2, 4 SC , repeat all the way round. N.B. in the last repeat, finish with 2 SC instead of 4 SC. Close with a slip stitch
Step 6 – Brown Yarn
SC in 2nd white DC.
FDC in leg of brown DC.
DC in front loop of 1st brown DC
DC in front half-loop of 2nd brown DC
FDC in leg of 2nd brown DC
Skip 4 white stitches. 2 SC, repeat from (2) all the way round. Close wth slip stitch
Step 7 – Brown Yarn
SC in back loop of brown stitches from last row all the way round.
Step 8 – White Yarn
6 SC.
FDC – immediately under both white DC from Previous row
repeat from (1) all the way round. Close with a slip stitch.
Step 9 – Purple Yarn
2 SC (1st in white DC)
DC in front loop of the 2nd brown DC, skip SC from previous row, SC
DC in front loop of the following DC, SC
DC
3 SC (2nd on white DC), repeat from (2) till the end. N.B. in last repeat, finish with only 1 SC instead of 3 SC and slip stitch to close
Step 10 – Brown Yarn
N.B. For all SCs falling on Purple DCs, work in the back loop.
SC (in the 2nd purple SC).
FDC in 1st brown DC, skip SC, SC
FDC in 2nd brown DC, skip SC, SC
FDC in 3rd brown DC, skip SC, SC
FDC in 4th brown DC, skip SC,
repeat from (1) all the way round and close with slip stitch.
Step 11 – White Yarn
SC (in brown DC)
FDC in white DC, skip stitch,
7 SC, repeat from (2) all the way round – N.B. in last repeat , finish with 6 SC instead of 7 SC. Close with slip stitch.
Step 12 – Purple Yarn
3 SC (starting at the last white SC)
Do (DC in front loop of purple DC, DC in leg of the same DC, skip stitch, SC) 3 times
2 SC,
repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. In last repeat, finish with 1 SC instead of 2 SC. Close with slip stitch
Step 13 – Brown Yarn
For all SCs falling on purple DCs, work in back loop
SC on 2nd purple DC
FDC on brown DC, skip stitch
SC, FDC on brown DC, skip stitch, 2 SC
FDC on brown DC, skip stitch, 2 SC
FDC on brown DC, skip stitch, 2 SC
FDC for brown DC, skip stitch, repeat from (3) all the way round – and close with slip stitch
Step 14 – White Yarn
3 SC (3rd on brown DC)
repeat (FDC in white DC, skip Stitch, 10 SCs) all the way round. N.B. in last repeat finish with 7 SC instead of 10 SC and close with a slip stitch
Step 15 – Purple Yarn
SC.
FDC in leg of purple DC
DC in Front loop of the next purple DC
FDC in the leg of the same DC, skip 2 white stitches, 3 SC
Repeat (FDC in the leg of the purple DC, DC in Front loop of the next purple DC,FDC in the leg of the same DC, skip 2 white stitches, SC) 3 times
2SC
Repeat from (5) all around. N.B. in the last repeat, do step 5 only twice instead of 3 times and skip the SC in second iteration. Close off with a slip stitch
Step 16 – Brown Yarn
For all SCs falling on Purple DCs work on back loop
SC on 3rd purple DC in 2nd cluster of DCs from previous row
FDC in brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 3 SC
FDC in brown DC, Skip purple stitch, SC
Repeat (FDC in brown DC, Skip purple stitch, 3 SC) 3 times
FDC in brown DC, Skip purple stitch, SC
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. in the last repeat, finish with the FDC (i.e. miss the last SC from step 5) and close with a slip stitch.
Step 17 – White Yarn
6 SC (2nd and 6th on brown DC)
FDC in white DC
Skip stitch, 6 SC
Cluster stitch in front loop of 2nd purple DC of middle cluster of purple DCs
Skip stitch, and repeat from (1) all the way round, and join with a slip stitch
Step 18 – Purple Yarn
Start with SC on cluster stitch from last round
FDC into leg of 3rd purple DC, Skip stitch, SC
FDC into each of the purple DC (total 3 FDC), Skip 3 white stitches, 3 SC
FDC into each of the purple DC (total 3 FDC), Skip 3 white stitches, SC
FDC into 1st purple DC
Skip 1 white stitch, repeat from (1) all the way round and close with a slip stitch
Step 19 – Brown Yarn
Start in SC before cluster stitch from last row.
3 SC (2nd SC into cluster stitch back loop only)
FDC into brown DC, skip purple stitch, 3 SC
FDC into brown DC, skip purple stitch, SC
FDC into brown DC, skip purple stitch, 3 SC
FDC into brown DC,
Skip purple stitch, repeat from (1) all around and close with slip stitch
Step 20 – White Yarn
9 SC (1st on brown DC)
FDC into white DC
Skip brown stitch, 13 SCs
Repeat from (2) all the way round. N.B. on last repeat, finish with only 4SC instead of 13 SC and join with slip stitch.