Sweet Nothings Crochet: J's SHELLED POTLI BAG

J's SHELLED 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.
I’ve made it in a circular form here, but this same pattern can be used to make a rectangular clutch purse as well.

So how did this project come along.. well, see that lovely glass bead n silver chained wonder at the top of the bag? Well, my friend had that gifted to her some time back, and it had partly broken. She thought I would be able to dismantle and use those beautiful pieces individually.
Coincidentally, just that evening, I found the exact same coloured yarn at my local yarn store and the rest as they say, is history.
Needless to say, she’s thrilled with the creation.. as am I..

So what’s a 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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Materials used : polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; stitch markers ; embroidery needle ; beads ; 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 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 : (Using U.S terminology)

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

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

How to make a rounded cord for the handle : http://vimeo.com/88972371

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

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

How to attach elastic in crochet : https://youtu.be/T5Qc3q2N0ds

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 :

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.

Inspired by this free chart I found on Pinterest , here are my notes and few additions to this lovely design.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/470063279834786955/

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

Magic circle : 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

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

Start with a magic circle and 11 sc in that circle.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st sc.
Pull lightly to close the magic circle.

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

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

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

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

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

Rep *to* till end ; dc in the last dc.

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

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

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

Rep *to* till end ; dc in the last 2 dc.

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

Round 4 : dc in the 1^st dc and in each dc all around.

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

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

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

Rep *to* till end ; dc in the last 3 dc.

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

Rep Rounds 4 and 5, increasing by 11 sts every alternate round, ending with Round 5, till you have a base of the size you want for your bag.

Next round : In this last round for the base, sc in back loops only (blo), so that we get an edge that will not just look good, but also hold the bag base down flat.

If you do not want the edge and are happy with the base size here, just do an sc in each st all around. If don’t mind it being a little larger base, then dc in each st all around, before we continue on with the pattern for the sides.

Main body pattern for sides / top of potli bag

For the top / sides of our bag, we will continue without any increase.

Our pattern repeat is 11.

For convenience, I am going to re-number our rounds starting once again from 1. Please do not confuse these rounds with the numbers above. For all instructions that follow here, they are meant for this top/side section of your bag only.

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

Round 1 : (dc ; ch 1, dc) in the 1^st st ;

*ch 1, sk next 2 sts , sc in the next st ;
ch 5, sk next 4 sts, sc in the next st ;

ch 1, rep (to) once in the next st* ;

rep *to* till end ;
ch 5 , sk next 4 sts,
and join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

Round 2 : sl-st into the 1^st ch-sp , 3 dc in the same 1^st ch-sp ;

*(3 dc in the next ch-1 sp) ;
sc in the next ch-5 sp ;

rep (to) in the next 2 ch-1 sps* ;

rep *to* all around,
and join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

Round 3 : sc in the 1^st dc ;
ch 5, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;

* ch 1, sk next 2 dc, (dc ; ch 1, dc) on the next sc ;

ch 1, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;
ch 5, sk next 3 dc, sc in the next dc* ;

rep *to* all around,
ch 1, and join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

Round 4 : 3 dc in the 1^st sc ; sc in the next ch-5 sp ;

*(3 dc in the next ch-1 sp) ;

rep (to) in the next 2 ch-1 sps ;
sc in the next ch-5 sp* ;

rep *to* all around,
and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 5 : (dc ; ch 1, dc) in the 1^st st ;

* ch 1, sk next 2 dc, sc in the next dc ;

ch 5, sk next 3 dc, sc in the next dc ;

ch 1, sk next 2 dc, rep (to) on the next sc* ;

rep *to* all around,
ch 1, and join with a sl-st to the 1^st dc.

And that’s one repeat done
So stop your work and look at the beauty you’ve created.

Our repeat rounds are Rounds 2 – 5.
Continue repeats till you have a bag of the length you desire.

All potli bags need a ‘hole’ row where we can weave in the handle or I-cord. Now with this lovely pattern, we have a ready-made row of holes , so I’ve just used the last row on the top to thread in my I-cord.

Easiest I-cord : https://youtu.be/e_AQ9m0QeZI

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

The pattern then becomes a lovely shell that sticks out like a border – which I thought was so perfect (and oh, so easy for lazy ole me!)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

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