Sweet Nothings Crochet: EXQUISITE SLING BAG

EXQUISITE SLING BAG - crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet

A friend wanted a delicate crochet sling bag for an upcoming event, and as usual, I’m always game to try out a new pattern and create something.. also my long list of crochet ‘bags-to-do’ has been calling me for a while now, so this is going to be one of two (or three?) creations. Thought I’d give my friend more choice(s) .. and probably make her decision harder , poor dear! Today I've used some (Indian) polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3 mm crochet hook.  Thank you for joining me.
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So here’s yet another lovely pattern for you.

The beauty of this pattern is that it can be tweaked and altered to make a really small sling bag to a larger tote as well.

Materials used : polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; stitch markers ; embroidery needle ; zipper ; bag handle

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e or unbranded knitting cotton as well

General yarn info : This polyester yarn is available only in India.

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.

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

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

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

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

yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

How to change colors seamlessly : https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno

How to carry your yarn when using two colors : https://youtu.be/NuascBU3pxQ

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

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 I’ve been inspired by one of those wonderful free floating freebies over the net (photo below).

This is my take on that pattern – with a few tweaks. I am, as usual, writing down my notes, and am sharing them with you.

So let’s see what the designer has done with this pattern before we start.

The sling bag is made in two parts.

The first part is the base and the second part are the motifs that make the flap.

The stitch count is in multiples of 5 + 1, and the designer has started with a row of chains. I always prefer fsc, as it gives a really good finish to your work – and as we’re working here with a nice thick yarn, it’s so much simpler and neater.. so go ahead.. give this a go.

We are working our pattern side to side, and the no. of fsc we start with will determine the width of the sling bag.

We will then increase length, which should equal double the length of the sling bag you want.

We will then fold this halfway along the length, join the sides and then make a lovely decorative flap for this lovely project.

PART 1

We make the bag part first.

Check out the video tutorial to understand how to work the stitch.

In case the video does not come on go here

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : here

Start with a row of foundation single crochet (fsc) in multiples of 5 + 1, for the width of final project you want.

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

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Row 1 : ch 3, 3 dc the 1^st fsc ;

sk 4 fsc, sc in the next fsc ;

*ch 3, 3 dc in the same fsc (from where you made your ch 3) ;

sk next 4 fsc, sc in the next fsc *;

rep *to* till end. Turn

Row 2 : ch 4, 2 dc in same 1^st sc ;

sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;

*ch 3, 3 dc in the next ch-3 sp ; sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* till last dc ;

ch 2, 1 dc and 1 trc in last ch-3 sp. Turn.

Row 3 : ch 3, 3 dc in 1^st ch-3 sp ;

sk next 2 dc, sc in the dc ;

*ch 3, 3 dc in the ch-3 sp ; sk next 2

dc, sc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* till last dc. Turn.

Note : In the last set of this row, you will only sk 1 dc (as there are only 2 dc at that end) and then sc in the last dc.

Rep Rows 2 & 3 till you have twice the length that you wish for your sling bag.

Isn’t this just the cutest pattern ever and so easy. Right so carry on till you have your length done, and we’ll meet up to finish off the lovely patterned flap.

Once you have the length desired, you could finish off or you could do one line of sc to mimic the start line of fsc. Ensure that you have the same no. of sc as you started out with.

Last row : sc in the 1^st sc ;

*sc in the next 3 dc, 1 sc in ch-3 sp ; sc in next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

Ensure that you have the same no. of sc as you started out with.

FINISHING : Fasten sides neatly and weave in ends.

If you are using the same yarn to make the strap for your sling bag, then may I suggest you make that as you complete joining the sides – your hook is at the right space anyway.

FOR STRAP : Make a long chain equal to the length of the strap you wish. Join with a sl-st to the opposite end. Hdc (or dc) in each st all through till you reach the opposite end. Sc into that 1^st st on the bag. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Here's another idea for the easiest I-cord I have found.

PART 2

Now let's work on our motifs.

Check out the video tutorial to understand how to make the motif

In case the video does not automatically come on, visit https://youtu.be/mqTacAVidSQ

Start with a 8 ch.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st ch.

Round 1 : dc in the ch-8 sp ;

*ch 1, dc in the same ch-8 sp* ;

rep *to* 10 times ;

ch 1, join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 2 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-1 sp ,

dc 3-tog in 1^st ch-1 sp ;

*ch 3, dc 3-tog in the next ch-1 sp* ;

rep *to* 10 times ;

ch 3, join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 3 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-3 sp , sc in the same ch-3 sp ;

*ch 7, sk next dc 3-tog, sc in the next ch-3 sp ;

(ch 3, sc in the next ch-3 sp) ;

rep (to) once* ;

rep *to* all around till end.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Note : You now have four distinct corners with ch-7 sps, so our dc’s all come into those corner spaces only

Round 4 : (7 dc , ch 1, 7 dc) all in the 1^st ch-7 sp ;

sc in the next ch-5 sp ;

*ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp ;

rep (to) once ; sc in the next ch-5 sp* ;

rep *to* all around till end ;

ch 5, sc in the next ch-5 sp .

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

We’ve completed one motif

Now you’ll see that our motif is square – so you can attach it either like a square, or like the designer has, like a diamond.

In the chart below, note the darkened marking in the ch-1 sps of the last row.

You will attach the next motif at this point.

So when you come to the next motif Round 4, your round will read (7 dc, sl-st into the ch-1 sp of the next motif, 7 dc).

The rest of the pattern instruction stays the same.

The designer has made six motifs in her creation – so depending on the size of flap you’re looking for.. create and enjoy.

How to add beads : https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

I decided on adding a bead after I finished my project, but you could add beads at any time. Check the links above for adding beads and working with it. Here's another video on adding beads for the centre and starting. This video is not exactly the pattern for our motif, but it will give you an interesting idea that you could use.

Fasten off then and weave in all the ends.

Line the bag as desired.

Now gift or show off your hard word d’art.

How to attach a zipper : here

How to line a bag : here

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If you'd like to check out some of my other bag patterns, here goes

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/zeeba-coin-purse.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/08/easy-squared-pouch.html