Dear all

Sorry for the delay in putting this post online but I’ve been waiting for some good weather to take photos of my finished bag (and unfortunately we’ve had a lot of rain). So here it is ta-dah!

You may be wondering what on earth I’ve photographed it against – it’s our green shed which my Husband [in his wisdom 😉 ] let our daughters paint the shed one day last month with some watered down poster paints thinking that the rain would wash it away….a month later it’s still there 😛

Anyway…here is my tutorial for the bag (which may not be accurate so apologies if you come across any mistakes).

The materials I used were from Abakhan (links are in the previous post) -they were 1 spool of Zpagetti Yarn, 1 pair of bag handles,  some printed cotton fabric and from my own stash some buttons.

To begin making the bag (it’s made from the bottom up on a 10mm crochet hook and I use UK terms) chain 5 and slip stitch into he 1st stitch to form a ring.

1st round : Work 8 dc into the ring and ss into the initial dc.

2nd round: Chain 1, then work 2 dc into each of he previous dc then ss into the initial dc.

3rd round: Chain 1, then work 2 dc into each of he previous dc then ss into the initial dc.

4th round: Chain 1, then work *2 dc into the next stitch , 1 dc, 1dc**, repeat from * to ** until you complete the round then ss into the inital dc.

5th round: Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each stitch then ss into the initial dc.

6th round: Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each stitch then ss into the initial dc.

The bottom of the bag is now completed.

7th round: With the right side facing you chain 1 then work 1 dc into each back loop of the round. This gives an nice edge to the bottom of the bag.

8th round: Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each stitch then ss into the initial dc.

9th round: Chain 1, then work *1 dc into the next stitch , 2 dc into the next stitch**, repeat from * to ** until you complete the round then ss into the inital dc.

10th – 13th rounds: Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each stitch then ss into the initial dc.

14th round: Chain 1, then work *1 dc into the next stitch , decrease 1 dc**, repeat from * to ** until you complete the round then ss into the inital dc.

15th-18th rounds: Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each stitch then ss into the initial dc.

19th round: Chain 1, then work *1 dc into the next stitch , decrease 1 dc**, repeat from * to ** until you complete the round then ss into the inital dc.

20th – 22nd rounds: Chain 1, then work 1 dc into each stitch then ss into the initial dc.

The main body of the bag is now complete.Crochet 10 dc onto each handle (this provides a loose attachment). Tidy away any loose ends of yarn.

Press the bag flat and draw a rough outline onto the reverse side of the lining fabric, cut out with pinking shears, allowing a 1cm seem allowance.

Sew wound the bottom and the sides with a sewing machine and then insert into the bag, hand sewing the top edge (folding inside the raw edge) to the top of the bag.

To make the handles more secure loop more Zpagetti round the handles so that the bag doesn’t move when held.

Embellish the bag however you wish, I used some buttons.

Here’s a closer look, my friend Sarah said they look like ‘lava’ buttons.

So here is the finished bag. I found the Zpagetti a pleasure to use, it’s really soft yet strong so I think there could be loads of uses around the home for it. Sarah said it would make lovely place mats.

My daughters both love this bag. They grabbed the bag and ran off to their tent to have a rummage…

look what was inside – wool for one of my next projects… check out that lining! …

they thought it was amusing to get out Mums wool and deball it 😦 

So there you have it my 1st crochet tutorial. If anyone decides to make their bag let me know, I’d love to see your version.

Jean