Sweet Nothings Crochet: OWL SLING BAG

OWL SLING BAG

I remember my friend showing me an Owl bag and asking me if I’d like to make one like that and I said “Owl bag.. no way .. never”.. Guess just shows.. one shouldn’t never ever say never .. hahahaha

The net is filled with pictures of owl bags and more.. the Harry Potter influence (??).

The recipient of this sling bag is an ardent animal lover plus a Harry Potter fan – so one needs to say no more.

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Working off an earlier pattern for a cute tiny bag, adapted an owl into the works and made this one up.

The cute tiny purse is at http://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2014/10/cute-tiny-purse.html

Materials used : Polyester purse yarn, about 1 cone, with a 3.25 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; stitch markers ; embroidery needle ; zipper.

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.

Gauge : 5 sc (across) x 5 sc rows (high) = 1”

Gauge is not important. It is given here so you can estimate how large my bag is.

Size made : 6.5" (across) x 6.5" (high)

You can make it to any size. The size is given as an estimation of what I got with the yarn I used.

Stitches used :

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

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

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

Single crochet back loop only (sc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial

https://youtu.be/TaQI3Vu9VRQ

How to line your bag : Check this link below

http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

How to attach a zipper on your bag :

http://frogknitting.blogspot.se/2013/08/att-sy-i-dragkedjor-installing-zippers.html?m=1

Abbreviations used : Using U.S. terminology

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

dc : Double crochet ch : Chain

sp : Space sl-st : Slip stitch

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

yo : Yarn Over rep : repeat

sc-blo : Single Crochet Back Loop Only

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.

A quick look at what we’re going to do here

1) We start at the bottom of the bag and then work in rounds up to the top of our bag – so this is a top up creation.

2) Depending on how large you want your bag, you will continue increases.

3) You can also change colours as often as you want, but I’ll just pen in when I change mine, just in case you want to join me in my colourful creativity.

4) There are six parts to this creation.

Part 1 : Base and sides of bag

Round 1 : Start (Using blue) : with a magic circle and 12 sc in that circle.

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

Round 2 : sc in the 1^st sc ;

2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

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

2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 2 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 4 : sc in the 1^st 3 sc ;

2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 3 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 5 : sc in the 1^st 4 sc ;

2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 4 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 6 : sc in the 1^st 5 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 5 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

I changed colours at this point, going onto a nice bright pink

Round 7 : sc in the 1^st 6 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 6 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 8 : sc in the 1^st 7 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 7 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 9 : sc in the 1^st sc and in each sc till end.

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

I changed colours at this point, using purple.

Round 10 : sc in the 1^st 8 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 8 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Now as I am happy with the base size here, I’m going to stop increases and start building up on my sides.

If you want a larger purse, please continue increases, and once done, come back to this round for continued instructions.

Round 11 : sc in the 1^st sc and in each sc till end.

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

Rep Round 11 till your purse / project is of the 'height' you need.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

I changed to yellow after one repeat of Round 11 (so two rounds with the purple colour)

3 rounds of yellow and I went back to the purple till I got my purse to the length I wanted.

photo showing the bag from base to top detail

Part 2 : Flap :

For the flap, first count the number of sts you have and place markers at the halfway points that will be the sides of your bag.

Flap Row 1 : Sc from one end of your bag to the other for one side between markers. Turn.

Flap Row 2 : Sc 2-tog in the 1^st 2 sc ;

sc all the way to the last 2 sc ;

sc-2 tog in the last 2 sc. Turn.

You will sc in each sc for these sts for about 5-6 rows in total (or till you feel that the flap folds over without a problem.

I found that just 2-3 rows does not allow me to fit in a zipper and neatly close the top, so I choose to do more)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Part 3 : Large googly owl eyes : (Make two)

Diameter : 3.25" (approx)

The size given is just for estimation. Please ensure that your googly owl eyes fit your owl bag.

Unless you are using large googly ready-made eyes, join me for making ours up now.

We will use black for the centre and white all around.

photo showing the two large owl eyes and one small nose in front

Start (Using black) : with a magic circle and 6 sc in that circle.

Pull lightly to close, and join with a sl-st to the 1^st sc.

Continue with black till next color change informed.

Round 1 : 2 sc in each sc all around.

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

Round 2 : sc in the 1^st sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 3 : sc in the 1^st 2 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 2 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 4 : sc in the 1^st 3 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 3 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Note : If you want more white than black (or more white than mine has), then change to white yarn now.

Round 5 : sc in the 1^st 4 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 4 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Change to white. Fasten off black.

Round 6 : (Using white) :

sc in the 1^st 5 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 5 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 7 : sc in the 1^st sc and each sc till end.

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

Round 8 : sc in the 1^st 6 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc ;

*sc in the next 6 sc ; 2 sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* till end.

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

Round 9 : sc in the 1^st sc and each sc till end.

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

Fasten off leave a long tail to attach eye(s).

Make one more large eye.

Attaching eyes :

Two ways to attach in our extra large eyes.

1. You could attach in the first eye to the top flap of your bag. Then when making the second eye, you can sc attach the 2^nd eye to the side of the 1^st eye as you work that last 9^th round

2. Make both your eyes and then sew them on separately – deciding whether or not you want to attach them along the sides as well. This you will do with an embroidery thread.

3. Add in a small white line (in the black part) for the eye shine, if you feel up to it, with the embroidery needle and white yarn.

Part 4 : Nose :

Size : about 1.5" across top and 1.5" top to bottom

Once again a reminder that this is just to give you a size estimation.

Please ensure that your little owl nose is right for your owl.

We will start at the lower part of the nose and work our way up to the top of the nose.

Start (Using red) : with a 3 ch.

Turn and 2 dc in the 1^st ch. Turn.

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

sc in the next dc ; 2 sc in the last dc. Turn.

Row 2 : sc in each dc till end. Turn.

Row 3 : 2 sc in the 1^st sc ;

sc in the next 3 sc ; 2 sc in the last sc. Turn.

Row 4 : sc in each dc till end. Turn.

Rows 5 - 7 : Rep Row 4.

If you want a longer nose, Rep Row 4 till you’re happy with the size.

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing nose to the bottom of the eyes.

Part 5 : Bag strap :

There are several ideas for the bag strap

1. I made a long fsc chain for my bag strap – nice thin and pretty durable.

2. You can either leave a long tail and then start on your fsc chain (so that you can use that tail to attach onto one side of the bag) and then leave a tail at the other end of the other attachment

3. OR you can just attach after completion of the strap. Length is totally variable and depends on whom you're making this for as well as the stretch of your yarn.

4. You could work an I-cord. Check the link below

For Indian polyester yarn remember that it stretches a lot especially when using fsc.

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

Part 6 : Finishing :

1. The eyes need to be attached in two places :- First to the flap and then to one another. Information on how you want this done was given above

2. Add a white line on either side of the eye to accentuate the black of eye.

3. Nose needs to be attached to both eyes – in between. I feel that figuring out what magnet or press button you wish to use for your bag, and then working on the sizing of this nose works best. Nose would be the perfect place for the button

4. Attach the bag strap

5. Line the bag (Instructions given at the top of blog)

6. Attach a zipper (Instructions given at the top of blog)

7. Attach the button

And toot-a-hoot.. we’re done !!

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

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