SPIKE TOTE BAG
This is a really wonderful pattern for just
about anything, but here we are going to use it to make a tote bag.
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Materials used : About
two cones of polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; stitch markers ; embroidery needle.
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.
Skill level : Easy
Stitches used :
How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY
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
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
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
What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
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
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
hdc : Half double crochet
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.
For today’s interesting market bag, we will start from the bottom and work our way all the way up to the top.
For today’s easy
spike tote bag pattern, visit http://naztazia.com/patterns/crochet/handbags/purses/crochet-jersey-purse.html
The beauty of
this creation is that you can make it using any yarn with a suitable hook and
make it to any size. I did not have the
yarn or hook specified by the designer, and have still made a fantastic
creation.
So what did I
do differently ?
1.
My
yarn seems way thinner that that specified by the designer – but I just used my
yarn with a hook that works for this yarn – so first off, don’t fuss about the
‘ingredients’ for this creation.
2. I started with a fsc chain of 30 and then
worked my 1st hdc in the 2nd ch from hk.
3. Now as the designer is using a thicker yarn,
this start was sufficient to get the base width. It did not work for me. So I just continued increases for a few
rounds till I had a larger base and then worked the pattern. So my first few rounds are all hdc only.
4. How did I work in the increases ? So as the
designer has suggested, I worked 3 hdc in the centre corner st, and then placed
a marked in that centre stitch on both sides. In the following rows, keep
moving the marker to the centre stitch again, but I worked 3 hdc in the two
stitches before and after the marked stitch.
5. There is no fixed number of rounds that you
need to increase – so depending on how thick your yarn is, just continue till
you feel you have a wide enough base.
Measure your work from one marker to the other to get the width of your
project. Once you are satisfied with the measure, then you carry on with the
pattern
6. The pattern is written in sc all around. I just worked it in hdc all around. So where it reads sc ; ch 1, sc ; I just worked
hdc ; ch 1, hdc.
7. The pattern uses a spike stitch with the
single crochet, where you work one row below the row every time – and I did the
same thing, using hdc.
8. Using different colours, I feel, accentuated
the pattern and end result.
9. I used a ready-made cord for my handles, but
check for more ideas here below.
Finishing :
Here are a few links on how you can finish up your bag.
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
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) When lining the bag use a different coloured lining (i.e not the same colour as the yarn you have used) so that the paw prints show through
c) Easiest I-cord : Check out this video for a really easy I-cord at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI
d) How to attach a zipper : Check this link at http://frogknitting.blogspot.se/2013/08/att-sy-i-dragkedjor-installing-zippers.html?m=1
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If you'd like to check out some of my other bag patterns, here goes
