Indigo bag

Here, I am finished with this one bag. And here is the pattern for all. A word of caution though, I have not tested this pattern, however it's fairly simple and I am here to answer any questions.

Indigo bag

Materials:· Cotton yarn (I bought thick cotton tying thread balls from hardware store and dyed them) equivalent to worsted weight or any that gets the correct gauge. Indigo and cream.
· Crochet hook 4.50 mm
· Tapestry needle and thread
· Fabric for lining
· A metal buckle
· Magnetic snap or Velcro for closure
· Zipper for inside pocket (optional)

Size: 9.5 x 5.5 inches excluding strap.

Gauge: 7 sts x 8 row = 2 inches in Tunisian st.

Method:This bag is done mostly in Tunisian st with a little bit of sc.
Body (front and back): make 2.
With indigo, ch 35 + 2 .
Row 1: work Tunisian st starting from 3rd ch on hook. (36 sts)
Row 2: Work basic Tunisian st over the 36 sts.
Row 3: same as row 2 with one decrease 1 st inside from both ends.(34 sts)
Row 4 and 5: As row 2.
Row 6: as row 3.(32 sts)
Row 7 and 8: same as row 2.
Row 9: same as row 3.(30 sts)
Row 10 and 11: same as row 2.
Row 12: same as row 3.(28 sts)
Row 13 and 14: same as row 2.
Row 15: same as row 3.(26 sts)
Row 16 -17: same as row 2.
Cast off by working a sl st into each row. Fasten off.

Gusset:With cream, ch 5 + 2.
Row 1: work Tunisian st starting from 3rd ch on hook.(6 sts)
Row 2-4: Work basic Tunisian st over the 6 sts.
Row 5: same as row 2 with one increase 1 st inside from both ends.(8 sts)
Row 6-8: same as row 2.
Row 9: same as row 5.(10 sts)
Row 10-12: same as row 2.
Row 13: same as row 5.(12 sts)
Row 14-16: same as row 2.
Row 17: same as row 5. (14 sts)
Row 18-50: same as row 2.
Row 51: Work basic Tunisian st with one decrease 1 st inside from both ends.(12 sts)
Row 52-54: same as row 2.
Row 55: basic Tunisian st with one decrease 1 st inside from both ends.(10 sts)
Row 56-58: same as row 2.
Row 59: basic Tunisian st with one decrease 1 st inside from both ends.(8 sts)
Row 60-62: same as row 2.
Row 63: basic Tunisian st with one decrease 1 st inside from both ends.(6 sts)
Row 64: same as row 2.
Cast off by working a sl st into each row. Fasten off.

Finishing:Stitch together front, back and gusset using weave stitch.

Flap: Along the upper free edge of one body piece, with cream, work 25 sc, turn.
Row 2-10: ch2, sk 1st sc, one sc in each of next 24 sc. Turn.
Fasten off. Work a row of sc around the free flap edges with 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off.
Join with indigo at the 10th sc of row 10. Work one sc in each of the next 5 sc, turn.
Row 2-13: ch 1, sk 1st sc, one sc in each of next 4 sc, turn.
Fasten off.

Handle/strap: Ribbon 1: Along the one upper free edge of gusset, join with cream and work Tunisian st in 1st 2 sts. Work 60 rows, fasten off.
Ribbon two: work similar to ribbon one, starting in the next 2 sts along the free gusset edge.
Ribbon three: work similar to ribbon one, starting in the last 2 sts along the free gusset edge.
Braid up the three ribbon and stitch them in place at the free gusset edge on the other side. With tapestry needle, stitch up the ribbons to each other along the length of the strap, in order to reinforce the strap.

Buckle: Join with indigo and pick up 2 sc along the horizontal bar on one side of the vertical bar, ch 1, and further 2 sc on the other side of vertical bar. Turn.
Row 2-7: ch 1, sk 1st sc, one sc in each of next 4 sc, turn.Fasten off.
Ch 8, fasten off. Sew in place along both ends of row 2.

Sewing: sew a piece of Velcro to the buckle piece and the bag front. ( or se a magnetic strap instead. Sew and attach lining. I used floral linen. I made a zippered pocket on the inside and used cardboard at the bottom between two layers of fabric.

Side-tracked

I know I had started this month with the intention of working on the two cardigans and to finish them off, but I got side-tracked again. Well, I had had this idea for a while now, so I got some balls of cotton tying string/yarn ( or whatever one might call them) from a hardware store and some dye and dyed them at home. Now I am working on a couple of bags. One is nearly finished and I will post a pattern in 1-2 days, inshallah. The reason I had to dye the yarn from hardware store was because the only yarn available around here is basic acrylic yarn. And I am tired of my bags looking exactly like my sweaters.

It's cardigan time

With the start of winter, my focus has shifted to cardigans in progress. Presently, I am working on two, one for my husband which is about 30% done and the more recent one_Lilac lace_ for myself. It is about 10% done.

I hope to finish both this month, inshallah. Some other ideas for bags, poncho, babay clothing are floating around in my head but I am warding off temptation for the time being. But I can't help myself from spending lots of time on the net.

Bobbles

Inspiration for Bobbles came from this bag. Needless to say, it has a lot of bobbles which may not be to everyone,s liking, but I had never crochet these before so I enjoyed doing it. Also I have to carry around a lot of baby stuff, so I thought it was a classier way to carry it. Crochet part was not very hard but writing down the pattern was. I made the handles myself. Overall I am very pleased with the result.

BOBBLES

Material:· Acrylic yarn (light fingering) off-white ( I used three strands throughout)
· Crochet hook size 4.5 mm
· Fabric for lining
· Cardboard for bottom
· One zipper
· A pair of purse handles (I made mine myself)

Size:

approx. 13 inches in height and 16 inches in width

Gauge:7 dc x 4 rows= 2 inches

Special stitches:
B (bobble): yrh, insert hook into the front loop of st, draw up a long loop,rep 4 times from= 11 loops on hook, yrh, draw through 10 loops, yrh, draw through the 2 loops on the hook.
C1( over three sts): Skip first st, FPDCin 2nd st, yrh, insert hook into the first st, draw up a loop(3 loops on the hook), yrh,draw through 2 loops, insert hook into the third st, draw up a loop(4 loops on hook), yrh, draw through 2 loops, yrh, draw through all 3 loops on the hook.FPDC in 2nd stitch again.
C2( over 2 sts): skip 1st st, FPDC in 2nd st, 1 dc in first st.
C3 (over 2 sts): skip 1st st, 1 dc in 2nd st, FPDC in 1st st.
C4 (over 5 sts): Skip 1st st, 1 dc in each of the next two sts, FPDC tog in the 1st and 5th st, I dc in the 3rd st again and then in the 4th st.
FPDC: Front Post Double Crochet.

Method:Three strands of yarn are used through out the piece except for the chain with tassels where I used six.

Body: Chain 110 sts, jn with sl st to the first ch, taking care not to twist the piece.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), work 1 dc in each chain across, jn with sl st to the 3rd ch of the initial ch3. (110 dc).

Round 2 : same as round 1.

Round 3: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of the next 9 dc, *work B (bobble) in next dc, 1 dc in next 9 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 18 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in next 9 dc, B in next dc**, 1 dc in next 15 dc, rep from* to** once. 1 dc in next 5 dc , jn.(110 sts)

Round 4: same as round 1.

Round 5: same as round 1.

Round 6: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 27 dc, C1 over next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 52 dc, C1 over next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 24 dc, jn. (110 sts)

Round 7: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 27 dc, FPDC in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, FPDC in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 52 dc, FPDC in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, FPDC in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 24 dc, jn.

Round 8: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 16 dc, *B in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, C2 over next 2 st, B in next dc, C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, B in next dc, I dc in each of next 4 dc, B in next dc.** 1 dc in next 29 dc, rep from* to** once. 1 dc in each of next 12 dc, jn.

Round 9: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 26 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 50 dc, FPDC in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 23 dc, jn. (110 sts)

Round 10: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 11 sts,* C1 over next 3 sts, 1 dc in each of next 11 dc, C2 over next 2 sts, B in next st, 1 dc in next st, B in next st ,C3 in next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 12 dc, C1 over next 3 dc, **1 dc in each of next 19 dc, rep from* to** once, 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, jn. (110 sts)

Round 11: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 11 dc,* FPDC in next st, 1 dc in next st, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 11 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts. FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 12 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in next st, FPDC in next st, **1 dc in each of next 19 dc. Rep from* to**once.1 dc in each of next 7 dc, jn.


Round 12: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, *C2 over next 2 sts, B in next dc, C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, C2 in next 2 sts. (B in next st, 1 dc in next) twice, B in next st, C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, C2 over next 2 sts, B in next st, C3 over next 2 st**, 1 dc in each of next 17 dc,. Rep from *to **once. 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, jn.

Round 13: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc,* FPDC in next dc , 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, FPDC in next, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, FPDC in next, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, FPDC in next st**, 1 dc in each of next 17dc. Rep from* to** once, 1 dc each of next 6 dc, jn.

Round 14: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, *C2 over next 2 sts, B in next, 1 dc in next dc, B in next, C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, C3 over next 2 sts, (B in next st, 1 dc in next st ) three times. B in next st, C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, C2 over next 2 sts, B in next, 1 dc in next, B in next, C3 over next 2 sts**. 1 dc in each of next 15 dc, rep from *to** once, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, jn.(110 sts)

Round 15: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc,* FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, FPDC in next st, 1dc in each of next 7 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 9 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 8 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, FPDC in next st**, 1 dc in each of next 15 sts, rep from* to** once. 1 dc in next 5 dc, jn.

Round 16: Ch3, 1 dc in each of next 8 sts, *C2 over next 2 sts, (B in next st, 1 dc in next st) twice, B in next st. C3 over the next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, C2 over next 2 sts, (B in next st, 1 dc in next st) 4 times, B in next st, C3 over the next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 6 sts. C2 over next 2 sts, (b in next st, 1 dc in next st) twice, B in next st, C3 over next 2 sts**, 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, rep from* to**, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, jn.

Round 17: Ch3, 1 dc in each of the next 8 dc, *FPDC in next st, 1 dc in next 7 st, FPDC in next, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 11 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 6 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, FPDC in next st.** 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, rep from *to **once, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, jn.

Round 18: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of the next 8 dc, *C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, (B in next st, 1 dc in next st) twice, C2 over the next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, C3 over next 2 sts (1 dc in next, B in next st) 4 times, 1 dc in next st, C2 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 6 sts, C3 over next 2 sts, (1 dc in next, B in next st) twice, 1 dc in next st, C2 over next 2 sts**, 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, rep from* to** once, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, jn.( 110 sts)

Round 19: Ch 3, 1 dc in next 9 dc, *FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 9 st, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 8 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, FPDC in next st**, 1 dc in each of next 15 dc, rep from *to** once, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, jn.

Round 20: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, *C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in next, B in next st, 1 dc in next st, C2 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, B in next , 1 dc in next 3 st, B in next st, 1 dc in next st, C3 over next 2 st, (1 dc in next st, B in next st) 3 times, 1 dc in next st, C2 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, B in next st, 1 dc in next 4 sts, B in next st, 1 dc in next st, C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, B in next st, 1 dc in next st, C2 over next 2 sts**, 1 dc in each of next 15 sts, rep from *to** , 1 dc in each of next 5 sts.

Round 21: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc,* FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 9 dc, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 7 sts, FPDC in next st, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, FPDC in next, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, FPDC in next**, 1 dc in each of next 17 dc, rep from *to** , 1 dc in each of next 6 sts, jn.(110 sts)

Round 22: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, *C4 over 5 sts, 1 dc in each of next 9 sts, C 3 over next 2 sts, ( 1 dc in next, B in next st) twice, 1 dc in next st, C 2 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, C4 over next 5 sts**, dc in each of next 17 dc, rep from* to** once, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, jn.

Round 23: Ch 3 , 1 dc in each of next 25 dc,* FPDC in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts, FPDC in next st**, 1 dc in next 48 dc, rep from *to** once. 1 dc in next 22 dc, jn.(110 sts)

Round 24: Ch 3, 1 dc in next 25 dc,* C3 over next 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, B in next st, 1 dc in next, C2 over next 2 sts**, 1 dc in each of next 48 dc, repeat from* to** once, 1 dc in each of next 22 dc, jn.

Round 25: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 26 dc, *FPDC in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, FPDC in next st**, 1 dc in each of next 50 dc, rep from* to **once, 1 dc in next 23 dc, jn.

Round 26: ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 26 dc, C4 over next 5 sts, 1 dc in each of next 50 dc, C4 over next 5 sts, 1 dc in each of next 23 sts, jn.

Round 27: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, B in next, 1 dc in next 12 dc, B, 1 dc in next 6 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, B in next, 1 dc in next 19 sts, B in next st, 1 dc in next 14 sts, B in next st, 1 dc in next 6 sts, B in next , 1 dc in next 12 dc, B in next dc, 1 dc in next 6 sts, jn.( 110 sts)

Round 28: same as round 1.

Round 29: same as round 1.
Round 30: Ch 2, 1 sc in each of the dc across, jn and fasten off.

Bottom:Chain 8, dc in 4th ch from hook. Dc in the next 4 ch.turn
Row 2: ch3, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, turn.
Repeat row 2 until the desired length is reached. Fasten off.
(I made a very narrow bottom. Increase the foundation chain to the desired width, if you want a larger bottom for the bag.

Finishing:Sew the bottom to the body. Cut and sew lining for the bag. I had a pocket with zippers attached to the lining. I used a piece of cardboard within two layers of fabric for the bottom. Stitch handles in place.

Drawstring with tassels: Using 6 strands of yarn, chain a desired length of drawstring. Weave the drawstring through round 27 of the body of the bag, (see pic). Make two tassels and attach to the ends. ( passed the drawstring through the crocheted piece as well as the lining. I sew 4 buttonholes in the fabric for that purpose.

My dear old afghan

This is the first afghan I ever made, about six years ago. It came out of a magazine. It was my first experience of tunisian crochet. It took a lot of time and hard work and being a novice, I had trouble with blocking. However It turned out good enough and is now well loved by my husband and son.

Bags Gallery (old)

While putting up my patterns/ projects at ravelry, I thought of a few of my older bags. So I took them out, and shot some photos. Here they are:

The first one is about 12 years old out of a magazine (Burda).

These last two were my own design.


This is to confirm my affiliation with the website.

Ravelry: I'm in!

After a wait of exactly two months, I finally got an invite from ravelry yesterday. I'm checking out the site now. It seems very nice. The only problem is that now my time on internet is likely to increase and the household chores will suffer. Also goodbye sleep.