My flatmate is forever saying I need a bag for all the yarn and equipment strewn around our flat, so I came up with this gorgeous solution. Of course, it's not only great to keep your crochet stuff in order, it's big and sturdy enough to tote around as a day bag
Materials
Rowan big wool, 2 x 100g balls. I used sugar spun.Oddment of chunky yarn in contrast shade.
1 x pair of straight bamboo or wooden handles.
Hook
12mm
Tension
6 stitches and 61/2 rows to 10cm/4in square over double crochet.
Abbreviation
MB: work 4 complete tr into same stitch (i.e. Leaving last loop of each tr on hook), yarn round hook and pull through all 5 loops to make 1 st.
Pattern
Back
Make 18ch. Foundation row (WS): 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each ch. 17dc.
Rows 1 and 2: 1ch, 1dc into each dc.
Row 3: 1ch, 2dc, MB, 5dc, MB, 5dc, MB, 2dc.
Rows 4 and 5: 1ch, dc2tog, dc to end. 15dc.
Row 6: 1ch, 1dc into each dc.
Row 7: 1ch, 4dc, MB, 5dc, MB, 4dc.
Rows 8 and 9: 1ch, dc2tog, dc to end. 13dc.
Row 10: 1ch, 1dc into each dc.
Row 11: 1ch, 1dc, MB, 4dc, MB, 4dc, MB, 1dc.
Rows 12 and 13: 1ch, dc2tog, dc to end. 11dc.
Rows 14 and 15: 1ch, 1dc into each dc.
Fasten off. Work front to match.
Sides
Make 6ch.Foundation row (WS): 1dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1dc into each ch. 5dc.
Rows 1 and 2: 1ch, 1dc into each dc.
Row 3: 1ch, 2dc, MB, 2dc.
Row 4: 1ch, 1dc into each dc.
Repeat rows 1-4, 9 times.
Work rows 1 and 2 again.
Fasten off.
Making up
With the wrong sides together, pin, then tack the sides in place. Using a smaller crochet hook, join with a row of double crochet through both thicknesses.Using a smaller crochet hook and oddment of chunky yarn (something that matches your bag), attach the handles by working double crochet into each st across the top of bag and under and over the handle.
Once complete, line the bag with a strong piece of fabric.
Excerpted from I Love Crochet by Rachel Henerson and Sarah Hazell, priced £12.99, published by Kyle Cathie Ltd.