Crocheting everywhere

Hello,

My little Angel has got a rather busy social life. We are lucky enough here; there are lots of activities for little ones to choose from, and for reasonable price. When she was smaller, I usually had to participate as well – swimming classes (more like water exercising) and art classes (more like drawing, gluing, cutting etc. under professional supervision). Angel loves it all. Now I’m just taking her where she needs to be and waiting and crocheting. At first I was getting puzzled looks, but I think they got use to it now. It’s unusual in this country that a “young” woman is crocheting. They are all picturing very old ladies siting in front of the fireplace (I love fireplaces, but I don’t consider myself old yet – I don’t think I ever will). I think it’s time to change that. Ok, I’m just going to try.
I have to admit I’m officially a crocheting addict. I take my yarn and hook, and sometimes knitting everywhere.
I was always putting my crocheting to different bags and purses, sometimes forgetting to take extra yarn or needle or scissors, so I made myself a tote bag for my crocheting only. I can carry it over the shoulder or in my hand and it’s in my favorite grey color.

I made simple pattern for you. I hope you find it as practical as I did.

Grey tote bag pattern

You need:
For size cca 40cm x 40cm [16” x 16”]
I used 220 grams of 100% acrylic yarn, but any yarn would be fine as long as it would suites your purpose. You can make the tote bigger or smaller by adding or removing the rows.
H/5mm and G/4mm crochet hook
Tapestry needle

Terms/Abbreviations: I used US terminology

ch    chain 

slst  slip stitch

sk    skip 

sc    single crochet

dc    double crochet 

st     stitch 

Tote: 5mm hook

Start with 38 chains + 3ch (counts as a dc)

Row 1: Ds to every ch (39dcs)

Row 2 – 26 : ch3, turn, continue according to the chart below 

Row 27: ch3, 13 dcs, sk 11 spaces, ch 10, 14dc’s, turn

Row 28: Continue the same way, crochet 13 dcs into 10-ch space from previous row (39dcs).

Row 29: 39 dcs

Turn the bag and start at the bottom again. The original row of chain is your starting point. Repeat rows 1 – 29.

Sides:

Crochet the sides together with row of scs ( usually 2scs in to dc from side) from the right side.

Row 30: Make row of scs all around the top of the bag. (78scs).

Handle: 4mm hook

6scs from the right side, *ch1, turn, 6scs*, keep repeating **– I did 106 rows. You can adjust the handle by adding or removing the rows.

Finishing: 

So there it is. A simple tote bag, and in moderation this pattern can be used for all sorts of totes, bags or purses.

*************************************************************

3D flower pattern

Size cca 8cm/3,2”

You need: 

Couple of meters of any suitable Yarn 

Crochet hook (I used G/4mm)

Yarn Needle

Nice buttons or beads. Simply anything you would like to decorate your flower with.

Terms/Abbreviations: I used US terminology

ch    chain 

slst  slip stitch

sc    single crochet

st     stitch 

beg  beginning

MR  magic ring

You need to make three separate flowers:

Bottom flower:

Start with MR or ch 4, slst into first ch to form the ring

Row 1: ch1, 12sc in MR, slst., do not turn 

Row 2: *ch16, slst in next sc*, repeat**, ( 12 16-chain loops )

Fasten the ends

Middle flower:

Start with MR or ch 4, slst into first ch to form the ring

Row 1: ch1, 12sc in MR, slst., do not turn 

Row 2: *ch14, slst in next sc*, repeat**, ( 12 14-chain loops )

Fasten the ends

Top flower:

Start with MR or ch 4, slst into first ch to form the ring

Row 1: ch1, 12sc in MR, slst., do not turn 

Row 2: *ch9, slst in next sc*, repeat**, ( 12 9-chain loops )

Fasten the ends

Finishing: 

Put the flowers on top of each other. Sew them together. Add a nice button or a bead to the middle. You can make the flower bigger or smaller by adding or removing the ch stitches. And there it is, simple, pretty and quick to do. You can use it for all sorts of projects. 

If you come up with any problems or difficulties, write to me, I’ll be more than happy to help.

Have very nice weekend 

Clara