My Haekelbeutel

The latest finished object off my hook is this haekelbeutel (which as I understand, means crocheted bag in german). I found this pattern in a friend's projects at ravelry and loved its shape and simplicity. The pattern can be found here. I used local cotton yarn, which I dyed myself. Initially I planned on using only plain and variegated green but it looked like I was to run a little short of both, so I added some natural as well. I still have to line it though, but just could not wait to post about it.The lime green color peeping through (as its not lined yet) is just my shawl, stuffed inside the bag for this photo shoot.

I still am working on may mystery socks, but took some time off them because I had to frog them a couple of times due to gauge issues. Next I'm also planning on doing some embroidery on one of my summer shirt. Nothing intricate, just some quick embellishment.
On another note, I was unable to view my blog or anyother blogspot blog for the last two days, because some exceptionally bright and intelligent authority in Pakistani goernment ordered the blanket order to block all blogspot sites. This is becoming a regular feature, happening every few months. However,thankfully it never lasts long.

Rainbow Spikes Bag

I just finished this bag yesterday. The material for this bag is the same as that for indigo bag. I love the way it has turned out. I love colors and especially those in a rainbow. Also I love butterflies. Plus I also love bags.

Here is the pattern, not tested of course.

Rainbow spikes bag

Material:· WW cotton in nine colors__deep red, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet , and purplish brown.(I used hand-dyed material)
· Crochet hook size 4.5 mm.
· Small butterfly shaped beads in assorted colors
· Fabric for lining
· A zipper.
· Size 10 black thread.

Size: 8.5 x 12 inches excluding strap

Gauge: 7 sts x 8 rows in 2 inches (working in sc only.

Special stitch: Spike st.Sp-1: work 1 sc by passing yarn through the st directly below on the row below the working row.
Sp-2: work 1 sc by passing yarn through the st directly below on the 2nd row below the working row.
Sp-3: work 1 sc by passing yarn through the st directly below on the 3rd row below the working row.

Method:Body:
Using red, ch 70, join with sl st in first ch, taking care not to twist the chain.
Rnd 1-6: ch1, 1 sc in the first st, then 1 sc in each st, throughout, join.(70sts)
Cut off red yarn and join orange.
Rnd 7: ch 1, *1 sc in the first sc, Sp-1 in next, Sp-2 in next, Sp-3 in next 2 sc, Sp-2 in next sc, Sp-1 in next sc**, sc in next sc, rep from * to **nine times, jn.
Rnd 8-11: repeat rnd 1. Cut off orange and join yellow.
Rnd 12: ch 1, *Sp-3 in 1st sc, Sp-2 in next, Sp-1 in next, sc in next sc, Sp-1 in next, Sp-2 in next, Sp-3 in next sc**, rep from * to ** nine times, join.
Rnd 13-16 : repeat rnd 1. Cut off yellow and join green.
Rnd 17: Repeat rnd 7.
Rnd 18-21: repeat rnd 1. Cut off green and join blue.
Rnd 22: Repeat rnd 12.
Rnd 23-26: repeat rnd 1. Cut off blue and join indigo.
Rnd 27: Repeat rnd 7.
Rnd 28-31: Repeat rnd 1. Cut off indigo and join violet.
Rnd 32: Repeat rnd 12.
Rnd 33-36: Repeat rnd 1. Fasten off.

Bottom:With deep red, ch 29,
Round 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sc in each ch across to the last ch, 4 sc in the last ch, 1 sc in other side of each of the next 26 ch, 2 sc in last, join with sl st. (60 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, 1 sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next, 1 sc in each of next 26 sc, 2 sc in next, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next, 1 sc in each of next 26 sc, 2 sc in next, 1 sc in last, jn.(64 sc)
Round 3: ch1, 2 sc in the 1st sc, 1 sc in each of next 29 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, 1 sc in each of next 29 sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, join . Do not break yarn.

Strap:Thread the beads on a size 10 black thread. Working with both this thread and purplish black yarn, ch 72.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from the hook, 1 sc in each ch across, turn.
Row 2: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, working one bead in position at every alternate sc.
Row 3: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across, turn.
Row 4: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, working one bead in position at every alternate sc.
Row 5: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across, fasten off.

Finishing:
Join bottom to the body of the bag with sl st using deep red.
Attach strap to upper margins on each side. Sew lining in place and a zipper along the upper margin of the bag.

Brownie bag

This is my latest bag. Knitted this time, made from the same home-dyed cotton. The name "brownie bag" is my husband's brilliant idea.

BROWNIE BAG

Materials:
· Brown worsted weight cotton (or any which gets the right gauge)
· Knitting needles 6.5 mm.
· Fabric for lining
· Crochet hook 4.5 mm
· Closure clasp.

Size: 12 x 9 inches excluding strap.

Gauge: 6 sts x 9 rows = 2 inches.

Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): K
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K 3, *P3, K 3, rep from * to the end.
Row 4: P 3, *K3, P 3 rep from * to the end.
Row 5 and 6: Rep rows 3 and 4.
Row 7: rep row 1.
Row 8: rep row 2.
Row 9: P 3, *K3, P 3 rep from * to the end.
Row 10: K 3, *P3, K 3, rep from * to the end.
Row 11 and 12: rep rows 9 and 10.

Method:
Bag body:
Cast on 39 sts and work in pattern for a total of 86 rows. Bind off loosely.

Strap:
Cast on 8 sts and work in seed st for a total of 82 rows. Bind off.

Closure:
With same yarn and crochet hook, work 6 sc in the metal closure clasp (see pics). Ch 1 turn. Next row: 1 sc in each sc, ch1 turn.
Repeat to a total of 12 rows, fasten off.

Finishing:
Fold the body piece into half with right side facing and sew up the sides.
Turn out the piece and sew the clasp ring in place 5 inches down the upper margin making sure that it is midway between the two sides.
Sew the closure at the back about 3 inches from the top.
Sew the lining, with a small zippered pocket along the back.
Sew the handle in place.
Now make a fold over the lower edges (lining and all) about 1.5 inches wide and pin in over the side seams on both sides. Sew these folds to the side seam. This gives the bag a more rounded look.

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.