I love bags ! And when I came across this gorgeous bag by Christine Bateman – I could not resist! It’s so very cute! And a fantastic use for left over yarn. For the lining, I used a ready made fabric tote bag – which I adjusted to the correct size, however, it is not as stiff as I would like – so next time, I will try a hessian type stiff bag as suggested in the design.
Here is the link to the pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-jackfield-tile-tote-bag
Do you remember those plastic bag/baskets which had holes and used to be quite popular for carrying grocery shopping?- It’s baskets like the green one shown below that I remember seeing commonly used by housewives doing their grocery shopping at the corner grocer shop. Today, there are very few little grocers left – being replaced by the large supermarkets or chains of mini-marts. Also, few people have baskets like this – often opting for totes or other branded shopping bags which you can buy from the supermarket which checking out.
This bag is inspired by the pastic one above. I have lined it as well so that it stays sturdy, but this is not a requirement. But if you do line it, then it’s perfect for carrying a laptop and notebooks/books .Here is my bag:
I used Katia’s multicolour cotton yarn (Funny rainbow star) for this using a 3.0mm hook. You will need approximately 100g. The instructions are written using US terms.
Abbreviations:
CH – chain stitch
SlSt -Slip Stitch
SC – single crochet
HDC – half double crochet
DC – double crochet
TR – triple crochet
Bag Body
CH 101
Row 1 – 100 HDC in front loop of each chain starting from the 2nd chain.
Row 2 – 100 HDC in back loop of each chain and SlSt into the 1st HDC made in Row 1.
Row 3 – CH 2, DC in each HDC all the way round , joining with a SlSt into the 2nd chain you started this row with.
Rows 4-5 – Repeat Row 3.
Row 6 – CH 2, DC 4, (CH 3, skip 2 stitches) x 30 times. 10DC, (CH 3, skip 2 stitches) x 30 times, 5 DC, and join with SlSt into 2nd chain you started this Row with.
Rows 7-10 – repeat Row 6.
Row 11 – CH 2, 199 DC all the way round and join with SlSt.
Rows 12-16 – repeat Row 6.
Row 17 – Repeat Row 11.
Rows 18-22 – repeat Row 6.
Row 23 – repeat Row 11.
Rows 24-28 – Repeat Row 6.
Row 29 – Repeat Row 11.
Rows 30-34 – Repeat Row 6.
Row 35-36 – Repeat Row 11. Cast off.
Lining
I took some cream coloured cotton fabric and cut and sewed it into a bag that would fit. Then, I sewed it to the crochet bag at the bottom, and also at intervals – I chose to do so through Rows 11, 17. 23 and 29, making sure as much as possible that there are bo creases in the fabric inside bag and it sits straight. Fold the top of the bag over the inner fabric bag and sew along the edge.
To finish this off nicely, using a very small hook (I used a 1.1 mm), 200 SC over the top and into the fabric all the way round the rim of the bag. SlSt to close and cast off.
Button flap
I’ve used a double crochet method to have a nice and sturdy flap. This is how it’s done:
Using the 3.0 mm hook, skip 38 SC from previous step.
Step 1 – 26 SC in back look of SCs from the Lining Instructions above. Turn.
Step 2 – CH 1, 26 SC though front loop of SC just made + loop which you didnt use from the previous SC (lining Instructions). Turn.
Repeat Step 2 till the flap measure 6 cm.
Now, we will make the button hole.
Step 3 – CH1, 11 SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before), CH4, 11SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before). Turn
Step 4 – CH 1, 11 SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before), 4 SC in back loop of CHs , 11 SC (through front loop of previous SC + loop from the row before). Turn.
Repeat Step 2 twice. Cast-off.
Find an appropriately sized button and sew it onto the bag, making sure that it lins up with the button hole.
Strap
I decided to make a braided strap. To do this, crochet 3 cords measuring around 70 cm as follows:
In a magic ring, 3CH, 6 DC. Join to 3 CH with SlSt.
Repeat 3 CH, 6 DC, join to 2CH with SlSt – will cord measures around 70 cm.
Once you hve made 3 cords, braid them – securing them by sewing together along the way, so make sure they don’t unravel. Then each end of the braid to opposit ends on the inside of the opening of the bag.
Flower
Here is how to crochet the flower:
Step 1 – In a magic ring, CH3, 12 DC, and close by joining with SlSt.
Step 2 – Repeat (CH 4, skip 1 DC, SlSt into the next Stitch) all the way round – you should have 6 loops.
Step 3 – Repeat (CH 5, skip 1 DC, SlSt into the same Sticth as in step before this) all the way round.
Step 4 – Repeat (CH 6, skip 1 DC, SlSt into the same Sticth as in step before this) all the way round.
Step 5 – Working in the 4 Ch loops formed in Step 2, Repeat (SlSt into loop, SC, DC, SC, SlSt) in each 4 chain loop. Close by SlSt into first SC.
Step 6 – Working in the 5 Ch loops formed in Step 3, Repeat (SlSt into loop, SC, DC, TR,DC, SC, SlSt) in each 5 chain loop. Close by SlSt into first SC.
Step 7 – Working in the 6 Ch loops formed in Step 4, Repeat (SlSt into loop, SC, DC, 2TR, DC, SC, SlSt) in each 6 chain loop. Close by SlSt into first SC. Cast off.
Sew the flower onto the bag.
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.
I’ve made it using the same base pattern that I published earlier ( https://manjrisplace.wordpress.com/2019/06/20/boho-tote-bag/) . The starfish and conch shells I adapted from a free pattern found on Ravely (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-shell-motifs–garland).
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 .
Manjri's Place 