Learn to Crochet an Adorable Stylish Bag
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Materials Needed
- Crocheting the Vertical Stripes
- Crocheting the Horizontal Stripes
- Attaching the Strips Together
- Creating the Flap of the Bag
- Crocheting the Sides of the Bag
- Sewing the Side Walls
- Adding Magnetic Buttons
- Conclusion
How to Crochet Tessie's Two-Tone Woven Bag
If you're looking for a creative and stylish bag to crochet, then you've come to the right place. In this tutorial, I'll guide you through the process of crocheting Tessie's two-tone woven bag. This bag is not only fashionable but also eco-friendly as it can be made from T-shirt yarn. So, gather your materials, get your hooks ready, and let's get started on this fun crochet project!
Materials Needed
Before we dive into the crocheting process, let's make sure we have all the necessary materials. Here's what you'll need:
- T-shirt yarn in two colors (graphite and olive)
- Yarn thickness between 7-9 mm
- Crochet hooks in sizes 6 and 4
- Half rings (20 mm, 2 pieces)
- Sew-on magnetic buttons (diameter 18 mm, 2 pieces)
- Chain with carabiners (length 120 cm)
Make sure to unravel the yarn from the skeins and stretch it before you begin. Now that we have everything ready, let's start crocheting!
Crocheting the Vertical Stripes
To start crocheting Tessie's two-tone woven bag, we'll begin by creating the vertical stripes. Follow these steps:
- Leave a 5 cm tip of the yarn and make a chain of 24 stitches (CH).
- Skip the first stitch and insert the hook into the second stitch at the bottom, then make a slip stitch (SS).
- Continue making SS to the end of the row, a total of 23 stitches.
- At the end of each row, work 1 CH for the rise of the next row.
- Repeat steps 2-4 for a total of 6 rows.
Congratulations! You've completed the vertical stripes for the bag. Cut the yarn and hide the ends to prepare for the next step.
Crocheting the Horizontal Stripes
After finishing the vertical stripes, it's time to move on to the horizontal stripes. Here's how:
- Make a chain of 30 stitches (CH).
- Skip the first stitch and make 29 slip stitches (SS) to the end of the row.
- Repeat step 2 for the next 5 rows to maintain a total of 29 SS per row.
- Cut the yarn and hide the ends.
Great job! You've created the horizontal stripes. Repeat this process to make a total of 4 strips.
Attaching the Strips Together
Now, it's time to bring all the strips together and create the woven pattern of the bag. Follow these steps:
- Take one horizontal strip and place it on top of the initial chain of a vertical strip.
- Insert a thin hook (number 4) into the corner stitch of both parts.
- Take a new working yarn and make 1 CH, then insert the hook into the same stitch and make 1 SS.
- Make 5 SS in this section, distributing them evenly on both parts.
- Continue attaching the remaining vertical strips in the same way, alternating the sides to create a checkerboard pattern.
- Attach the last fifth strip from the top with 5 SS.
- At the end, make 1 CH, resulting in a total of 26 stitches.
Congratulations! You've successfully attached all the strips together to form the body of the bag. Let's move on to creating the flap.
Creating the Flap of the Bag
To create the flap of Tessie's two-tone woven bag, follow these instructions:
- Turn the flap over so that the wrong side is facing up.
- Make 1 CH at the corner.
- Decrease (dec) by making 1 single crochet (SC) from 2 stitches.
- Work 6 SC.
- Repeat steps 3-4 for a total of 6 SC with a decrease in each repetition.
- At the end, make 1 CH, resulting in a total of 22 stitches.
- Cut the yarn and hide the end.
Well done! You've completed the flap of the bag. The dimensions should be approximately 23 cm in length and 20 cm in height. Let's move on to crocheting the sides.
Crocheting the Sides of the Bag
The sides of the bag give it structure and depth. Follow these steps to crochet the sides:
- Leave a 1-meter tip of the yarn and make a knot.
- Make a chain of 6 stitches (CH).
- Crochet 5 single crochets (SC) in each row, and at the end of each row, work 1 CH to raise the next row.
- Repeat step 3 for the second row.
- Crochet 5 SC in half stitches for the third row.
- Work 1 SC in two half stitches from the previous rows.
- Attach a half ring behind your work and make 3 SC.
- Insert the hook in the half ring and make 1 more SC in the last stitch.
- Repeat steps 5-8 for a total of 9 repeats of the pattern.
Awesome! You've finished crocheting one side of the bag. The dimensions should be approximately 12 cm in height and 6 cm in width. Repeat these steps to crochet the second side.
Sewing the Side Walls
To assemble the bag, we need to sew the side walls. Follow these instructions:
- Attach the side wall to the bag from the inner edge.
- Sew the first repeat of the side wall to the corresponding side of the bag using one stitch.
- Continue sewing to the corner, maintaining a total of 9 stitches (according to the corresponding number of rows).
- Move to the bottom of the bag and sew 5 stitches.
- Make 9 more stitches to the end of this section.
- Sew the last corner stitch, cut, and hide the tip of the yarn.
- Sew the second side in the same way, starting from the other side of the bag.
Congratulations! You've successfully sewn the side walls of Tessie's two-tone woven bag. It's coming together beautifully! Now, let's add some finishing touches.
Adding Magnetic Buttons
To secure the contents of the bag, we'll be adding sew-on magnetic buttons. Here's how:
- Sew two magnetic buttons onto the bag using transparent fishing line or thread that matches the yarn color.
- Place them in a position that ensures the bag remains securely closed.
Well done! Your handbag is now complete. The final dimensions should be approximately 16 cm in height and 24 cm in width, with a thickness of about 7-8 cm. Now you can proudly show off your fashionable and eco-friendly creation.
Conclusion
Crocheting Tessie's two-tone woven bag is a fun and satisfying project. With a combination of vertical and horizontal stripes, you can create a stylish and unique accessory. Remember to choose your preferred colors and experiment with different yarn textures to make it truly your own. Happy crocheting!
Highlights
- Create a fashionable and eco-friendly bag with T-shirt yarn.
- Step-by-step guide on crocheting Tessie's two-tone woven bag.
- Detailed instructions on materials needed and where to buy them.
- Crocheting the vertical and horizontal stripes for the bag.
- Attaching the strips together to form the body of the bag.
- Creating the flap and crocheting the sides of the bag.
- Sewing the side walls and adding magnetic buttons.
- Finished bag dimensions and tips for customization.
- Enjoy the satisfaction of creating your own unique handbag.
FAQ
Q: Can I use different yarn thickness for this project?
A: Yes, you can use yarn thickness between 7-9 mm to achieve the desired result.
Q: Can I personalize the color combination of the bag?
A: Definitely! Feel free to choose your preferred colors and get creative with your own color scheme.
Q: Where can I find T-shirt yarn for this project?
A: You can find T-shirt yarn in various online stores or craft shops. Check the description under the video for a recommended store.
Q: Are there any alternatives to magnetic buttons?
A: If you prefer a different type of closure, you can explore options like buttons, clasps, or zippers to secure the bag.
Q: Can I adjust the dimensions of the bag?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to customize the size of the bag according to your preference by adjusting the number of stitches and rows.
Q: Is this bag suitable for beginners?
A: This project is suitable for crocheters with basic skills. However, some familiarity with crochet terms and techniques is recommended.
Q: Can I sell the bags I make from this tutorial?
A: Yes, you can sell the bags you make, but please respect the original design and give credit to the tutorial creator.