Sweet Nothings Crochet: BEADED POTLI BAG

BEADED POTLI BAG

A lovely bag for an evening out.. or just to carry your mobile phone and keys. The beauty of this bag is that you can make it in just about any size you want.

Potli (पोटली {poTali} = SWAG is the Hindi equivalent for Swag bag.
We will start our little potli bag from the base and work up to the top – so no drama here.. let’s just start with this cute lil’ bag.

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Inspired by this free pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-gift-bag-pearl here are my notes and few additions to this lovely design.

Materials used : Polyester purse yarn (in cones) with a 4 mm crochet hook

This yarn has something between a 4-ply or sport ply thickness.

You may also need fabric glue to seal ends ; stitch markers ; embroidery needle.

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, 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 ; Hobby Lobby's I-love-this-cotton ; Spotlight's 4-Seasons Marvel & Stallion 8-ply acrylic yarns.

Difficulty level : Intermediate

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

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

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

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : This is a unique way of starting a project directly with a row of double crochet stitches. Here is an easy video tutorial 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

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

How to make a rounded cord for the handle : View the video link below for a really simple way to make a rounded cord handle for your handbag. http://vimeo.com/88972371

How to make an I-cord : A neat way to make an I-cord in this video by June at http://www.planetjune.com/blog/how-to-crochet-an-i-cord/

How to line the bag : View the link below to see how to easily line your handbag. http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

How to add beads : Check this video at https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : Check out this video at https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

How to add beads in crochet :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MbLCuyfv-M

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 rep : repeat

hdc : Half double crochet

blo : Back loop only

Instructions

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.

The designer has used hdc so this is how I’ll write the pattern out. You may use the hdc or the dc stitch for this lovely creation. I used the dc.

Part 1 :

Start with a magic circle and 6 sc in that circle.

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

Pull lightly to close the magic circle.

Round 1 : 2 hdc in the 1^st sc and in each sc all around.

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

Round 2 : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the next hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc*.

Rep *to* till end ;

hdc in the last hdc.

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

Round 3 : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the next 2 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc*.

Rep *to* till end ;

hdc in the last 2 hdc.

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

Round 4 : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the next 3 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc*.

Rep *to* till end ;

hdc in the last 3 hdc.

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

Round 5 : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the next 4 hdc ;

2 hdc in the next hdc*.

Rep *to* till end ;

hdc in the last 4 hdc.

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

Round 6 : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the next 5 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc*.

Rep *to* till end ;

hdc in the last 5 hdc.

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

Round 7 : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the next 6 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc*.

Rep *to* till end ;

hdc in the last 6 hdc.

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

Rep Round 7, increasing by 6 sts every round till you have a base of the size you want for your bag.

In the last round, hdc in back loops only (blo), so that we get an edge that will not just look good, but also hold the bag down.

In the following rows we will start with the pattern, and work in the front and back loop of every alternate stitch.

For your convenience, I've written my notes, but you could also follow the original pattern via link above.

Next Round : hdc in the back loop of the 1^st hdc ;

*hdc in the front loop of the next hdc ;

hdc in the back loop of the next hdc*;

Rep *to* till end;

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

Rep this round till your project is the height / size you want.

Now for a little pizzazz and bling, I’ve added a little beaded row or two.

So for a “how-to” on adding beads, please go to the top of the blog for several you-tube self-explanatory links.

For the pattern here, well, all I did was :

dc in the 1^st st ; add bead ;

sk next dc, dc in the next dc ;

*add bead ; sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all the way till end ;

and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

So you'll get this little "peek-a-boo" hole with a bead peeping through.. just lovely!

For the next 2 rows, I did a regular pattern stitch and then repeated one more row of beading.

Finishing :

The designer has used a different edging, but here's mine.. so choices for you.

I did a shell edging after reaching the height / length I needed for my bag. We need to do a row of holes as well, so we can loop in our cord (See the top of blog for 2 ways to make this cord).

Part 2 :

Hole row : dc in the 1^st dc ;

*ch 1, sk next dc, dc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all the way till end.

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

Now depending on how thick your cord is, you can use a dc or a trc in this row to increase the spacing and allow free access for your cord.

So maybe you should make your cord first and then do this row.

Part 3 :

Border :

For my shelled border, I added beads as well.

The shell pattern I used here was [2 dc ; add bead ; 2 dc] all in the same st.

I worked a shell or [to] in the 1^st st ;

*sk the next st and ch-sp ;

and then shell or [to] in the next st* ;

rep *to* all the way around.

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

Fasten off and weave in ends.

a) How to line the bag : View the link below to see how to easily line your handbag. http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

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

c) How to attach a zipper : Check this link at http://frogknitting.blogspot.se/2013/08/att-sy-i-dragkedjor-installing-zippers.html?m=1

You will then pass your I-cord in through the openings you’ve made just before that border row. Now pull your bag closed and see how the little beading will show beautifully on the top.

Part 4 : Cord

Oh, I also added a few beads when making the I-cord as well

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Have a great day and see you soon.

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

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https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/07/shelled-boho-bag.html

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https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2019/04/minion-coin-purse.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2018/10/diamond-tote-bag.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2018/10/lovely-swag-bag.html

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