Sweet Nothings Crochet: DIAMOND BAG

DIAMOND BAG - crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet

Crochet post stitches are just the best, don't you agree? So for all of you crochet post stitch lovers, you will find this pattern just awesome.. and for any of you who have not attempted this stitch before, here's your chance to learn something new. This is an intermediate to advanced crochet skill level but come along as there are crochet video tutorials for all stitches needed.
Today I've used some polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3 mm crochet hook but this project can be made using any yarn with a suitable hook and to any size you want. The photo of the original handbag that had me fascinated.. the chart has me confused.. the look has me excited.. all in all yet another one that I can’t resist.

So here’s yet another lovely pattern for you. .. my interpretation and creation of this beautiful diamond bag.Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”.

How labels work : All patterns under a similar label can be found together so when you click on the label for say "crochet baby dress pattern", all my baby dress patterns are available - so scroll down to the very bottom and click on "Older Posts" to move onto the next post in the series. Before you reach that you have several other ways to find my blogs including blog links at the bottom of this blog
For your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.
Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest and if you are looking for more bags then come here
All my blogs can be printed. Find the print friendly (green) link on the right of this blog. You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.
Remember that you only print if absolutely essential. Save paper – Save Our Earth. Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation. Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.

To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon (India). While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well.

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me. Cheers.

Materials used : polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3 mm crochet hook ;

embroidery needle ; fabric glue to seal ends ; crochet stitch markers ; poly-fill stuffing ; stocking net ; beads n more ; satin ribbon

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns as well as Oswal 4-ply yarn ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Spectrum as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.

Skill level : Advanced

Stitches used : Using U.S terminology

Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Easiest I-cord : Check out this video for a really easy I-cord at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Front Post Double Crochet 2-together skipping a stitch in between :

This is the fpdc stitch worked over 2 stitches together, and skipping one stitch in between. View the video at https://youtu.be/m99T7zpGX68

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)

lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet

dc : Double crochet sp : Space

sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain

st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook

yo : Yarn Over

fsc : Foundation Single Crochet

fpdc : Front Post Double Crochet

bpdc : Back Post Double Crochet

fpdc 2-tog : Front Post Double Crochet 2-together

Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)

Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.

Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.

Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement. This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.

This is not my original pattern and it’s just one of those wonderful patterns shared freely over the net. I am, as usual, writing down my notes, and am sharing them with you. This is the pattern as per the chart here (by designer)

So let's start with a quick analysis of what the designer has done with this pattern.

The bag is made in two parts.

The first part is the base strip .. which is the bottom bit as well as the two side bits.. so technically not ‘a base’..

and the second part(s) are the front and back parts that are then attached onto this ‘base strip’.

PART 1

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

In this part we’ll work the strip that will be the base as well as the two sides of your bag.

For convenience and a neat start, I am starting with the fdc – and as we’re working with the thicker 4-ply yarn, I urge you to try this start as well.

So start with an appropriate number of stitches for the length you need, for the bottom plus two sides of your hand bag.

Now a little bit of calculation :

You have one long strip made which will make up the two sides and bottom for the bag. We now will place markers to divide it into the 3 parts (2 sides + 1 bottom)

a) Count off the number of stitches you have now

b) Divide by 3 (for equal height and width) , ensuring that the bottom part is in multiples of 4.

c) Place markers for either ends of the bottom part. Re-attach yarn at the 1^st marker for the bottom part

d) We will work upwards from this bottom part till we get the height of bag we want.

e) We will then fasten off this side, and re-attach yarn for doing the mirror image of the other side of our bag.

f) Once both front and back of bag is done, we will attach the sides of our bag to this.

Right so now that we’ve got this bit figured, let’s move on to Part 2, which is the beautiful patterned front and back

PART 2

Make 2 (Front & Back)

In this part we’ll make the front and back patterned parts of our bag.

The centre front and back pattern is a lovely diamond.

For convenience, I have decided to mark off the centre section (as mentioned in Point "f" above) and work the pattern front & back.

Our stitch count is in multiples of 4.

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Row 1 : sc in each dc till the next marker. Turn

Row 2 : dc in each sc till end. Turn

From the following row on wards, we will start our decorative “V” stitch.

Our “V”-sts here are done as a fpdc 2-tog that is worked over 2 sc’s (from the row one below.. ie in this case Row 1) and skipping 3 dcs in between (of Row 2).

This means that you say work the first ‘leg’ of the fpdc 2-tog in stitch 1, then you sk sts 2,3,4 and the 2^nd ‘leg’ of the fpdc-2 tog is in this st.

For the 2^nd fpdc 2-tog, you will do the 1^st leg of this stitch in the last sc .. which is the sc where you did the 2^nd leg of your earlier fpdc 2-tog, and then as before sk the next 3 sc, and do the 2^nd leg of this fpdc 2-tog in that st.

This gives our stitch an extended “V” look, and because these are front post stitches, they stick out and give the textured look for our lovely bag.

A little complicated, I know.. and the first 2 lines will be a little ummm…but then on, you’ll wonder what you were worrying about.

Front Post Double Crochet 2-together : fpdc 2-tog : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below.

This is the fpdc stitch worked over 2 stitches together.

View the video at https://youtu.be/Kljuw4dnDzI

Few things you need to remember :

The fpdc 2-tog is in the row one row below, so you’re not only skipping stitches across to do your fpdc 2-tog, but also skipping a row.

Secondly, this fpdc 2-tog is a stitch, so you will sk the dc just behind the fpdc 2-tog(i.e the dc just after the 3 scs), and then sc in the next 3 dc.

The instructions below will get way too complicated if I write all this in, so remember this when you are reading the instructions of Rows 3 and 5.

Row 3 : sc in the 1^st 3 sc ;

(fpdc 2-tog over the 2^nd sc from the row below i.e Row 1 , then skipping the next 3 sc, the next fpdc over the next sc also from the row below i.e Row 1) ;

sk next dc, sc in the next 3 sc ;

*(fpdc 2-tog over the same last sc from where you had your last fpdc 2-tog, and skipping 3 sc, the next sc in Row 1) ;

sk next dc, sc in the next 3 sc* ;

rep from *to* till end. Turn

Row 4 : dc in each st till end. Turn

Note : Remember to count the number of stitches in this row as its very easy to add stitches here.

Note : Once again we will be doing the fpdc 2-tog in the sc one row below – so our scs from Row 3.

Row 5 : sc in the 1^st dc ;

fpdc in the next sc of Row 3 (where the 2 fpdc 2-tog of previous row are) ;

sk next dc, sc in the next 3 dc ;

fdpc 2-tog over the same 1^st fpdc and then skipping 3 dcs in the next sc of the previous row ;

*sc in the next 3 dc ;

fpdc 2-tog over the last fpdc and then skipping 3 sc, next leg of fpdc 2-tog in the next sc of the previous row; sk next dc* ;

rep *to* till end. Turn

See how it was a little easier in this row, and from now on, it’ll be easier and make a lot more sense as you will see the diamonds forming.

So we will just be using the sc that is also the fpdc 2-tog points from now on for the diamond formations.

Row 6 : dc in each st till end. Turn

So you’ve seen the first of the diamonds emerge. Great job.

Our repeat rows are Rows 3-6.

Continue repeats till you have a length / height you desire for your bag, ending with a Row 4 or 6 (i.e dc row)

Note : Remember that when you stitch your bag up, the base bit as well as the final top finishing bit will add to the length/height, so work the diamond pattern accordingly.

PART 3 : THE CORD

There are 2 links given at the start of this blog pattern sheet with instructions to make an I-cord or a rounded cord.

I tried both, but wanted a flat cord – so what I’ve done is make a long fsc chain of length desired, then turned and worked down both sides of the fsc with sc all through. At the end of the fsc chain, to get from one side to the other, I’ve done 1 ch, and then at the other end, of course, joined with a sl-st.

So now you have three choices.. decisions.. decisions

The designer has then done about 4 dc rows on top, interspersing little holes (a missed stitch with a ch-1) in one of the rows. In this ‘holed’ row, the designer then has passed in the handle cord.

On top of this blog is are links for how to make a lovely rounded cord – so go ahead and see that video tutorial for that.

Here's another idea to make a cord - the easiest cord ever

In case this video for a really easy I-cord does not come on, go here

The final bit here is the front flap. Using this idea, you could also make the two tiny side flaps (if you’re unable to get that in leather or faux leather, and/or would like to match that with the rounded cord handle and front flap)

Fasten off then and weave in the ends

PART 4 : FLAP

For the flap, we’ll work it as a separate unit and then attach it to one side of our bag.

We start with the semicircular end, and then work up the flap to make the rectangular bit.

Start with a 7 dc in that circle. Turn.

Do not pull tight and do not make it a circle – allow it to stay semicircular and we’ll now back and forth in rows.

Row 1 : dc in the 1^st 3 dc ;

5 dc in the next dc ;

dc in each dc till end. Turn.

Row 2 : 2 dc in the 1^st dc ; dc in the next dc ;

*2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* 2 times ;

3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ;

rep *to* till end ending with 2 dc in last dc. Turn

Row 3 : dc in the 1^st 2 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;

*dc in the next 2 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* 2 times ;

(dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ;

dc in the next dc ; 2 dc in next dc) ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

Row 4 : dc in the 1^st dc ;

*2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next 3 dc* ;

rep *to* 3 times ;

(2 dc in the next 2 dc ; 3 dc in the next dc) ;

rep *to* till end. Turn.

We’ve done our semicircular end, so now to work the other part of the flap, we’ll turn and work in a rectangle.

Next row : Turning your work at 90°, evenly pick up dc’s all along this end. (which is the flat portion of the semicircle).

So I picked up 2 dc’s in each dc, and then 1 dc in the ‘magic circle’ bit. Turn.

Next row : dc in each dc till end. Turn.

Rep this dc row till you have a flap of the length you desire.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

PART 5 : FINISHING

Several parts need to be attached, so let’s get started

1) Attach the two sides and make your bag up.

2) Attach the flap to one of the sides.

3) If you’ve made the little side flaps, then attach these little flaps in as well, and then attach the little buttons down.

4) Line your bag, if desired.

How to line your bag : here

How to attach a zipper : here

5) Loop your cord through the loop holes you’ve made and then attach it behind the flap, so that the attached end is neatly hidden there.

6) Attach a little button for the front flap as well… and we’re done !

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. come back right here for more freebie patterns

Remember to share this blog post when you share your photos with me on Facebook. I’d love to feature your photos on my FB page. Cheers.

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation. Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/

OR just my free patterns at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/free-patterns-made-by-me/

Join me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shyamanivas

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas

Do follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sweetnothingscrochet/

Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/

Have a great day and see you soon.

You may want to take a look at some more beautiful and unusual bag / purse patterns.

http://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2017/06/my-strawberry-bag.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.in/2017/06/and-yet-another-watermelon-bag-1.html