After months of deliberation I finally created the perfect pattern for this Women’s Institute Pastel Mix soft and cuddly from Hobbycraft!
It uses 50g of DK yarn, works up quickly and is the perfect little shoulder bag to brighten up any summer outfit!
Notes on the pattern
I used DK weight yarn and a 4mm hook which made a bag with a circumference of 6”. You could use any weight yarn and suitable hook but this would change the dimensions of the bag.
If you want a bigger or smaller bag you can just work more or less rounds on both the back and front pieces. Just make sure your stitch count matches for each side!
The back and front pieces are worked separately and in continuous rounds so I highly recommend using a stitch marker at the start of each round.
Materials
- 4mm hook
- 50g DK weight yarn
- Stitch marker
- Darning needle
- Scossors
- Button to secure bag closed (optional)
Abbreviations
Watch my video tutorials on the basic crochet stitches
- Ch = chain
- Sc = single crochet
- Dc = double crochet
- 2sc inc = make 2 single crochet into the same stitch
- 2dc inc = make 2 double crochet into the same stitch
- Bobble stitch = 4 double crochet together – Yarn over your hook, insert the hook into the stitch, pull through (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through first two loops (2 loops on hook). Yarn over again, inset your hook into the same stitch, yarn over, pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through first two loops (3 loops on hook). Yarn over again, insert your hook into the same stitch, yarn over, pull through (5 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through first two loops (4 loops on hook). Yarn over again, inset your hook into the same stitch, yarn over, pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through first two loops (5 loops on hook). Yarn over pull through all 5 loops.
Instructions
Front – bobble side
Round 1 – make a magic circle – watch my video tutorial here make 7sc into the circle. You will now work in continuous rounds without joining so place a stitch marker in the first stitch of the next round.
Round 2 – skip the first stitch, *bobble, sc* repeat around. (3 bobbles, 3sc)
Round 3 – 2sc inc in each stitch around (12sc)
Round 4 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (6 bobbles, 6sc)
Round 5 – *2sc inc each stitch around* (24sc)
Round 6 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (12 bobbles, 12sc)
Round 7 – *2sc inc, 1sc* repeat around (36sc)
Round 8 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (18 bobbles, 18sc)
Round 9 – *2sc inc, 2sc* repeat around (48sc)
Round 10 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (24 bobbles, 24sc)
Round 11 – *2sc inc, 3sc* repeat around (60sc)
Round 12 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (30 bobbles, 30sc)
Round 13 – *2sc inc, 4sc* repeat around (72sc)
Round 14 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (36 bobbles, 36sc)
Round 15 – *2sc inc, 5sc* repeat around (84sc)
Round 16 – *bobble, sc* repeat around (42 bobbles, 42sc)
Round 17 – sc in each stitch around. Fasten off.
Back
Round 1 – make a magic circle and make 12dc into the circle. You will continue to work in the round so place a marker on the first stitch of the next round.
Round 2 – 2dc inc in each stitch around (24dc)
Round 3 – *2dc inc, 1dc* repeat around (36dc)
Round 4 – dc in each stitch around (36dc)
Round 5 – *2dc inc, 2dc* repeat around (48dc)
Round 6 – *2dc inc, 3dc* repeat around (60dc)
Round 7 – *2dc inc, 4dc* repeat around (72dc)
Round 8 – *2dc inc, 5dc* repeat around (84dc)
Do not fasten off.
Joining
Join the two sides together by making a single crochet through the stitch on the front and back piece. See photo below. Leave 29 stitches un-worked for the opening of the bag (you may choos e to make the opening of the bag bigger or smaller depending on how you will fasten your bag.
Strap
To make the strap you will need to single crochet into the stitch closest to the opening of your bag.
Chain 175 (add more or less depending on preference and where you want the bag to sit on the hip. Join with a single crochet into the first stitch on the other side of the opening of the bag. Slip stitch into the next stitch.
Single crochet into each stitch of the chain. Slip stitch into the stitch where the chain starts and slip stitch into the next. Turn.
Back loop single crochet into each stitch of the handle. Slip stitch into the stitch where the chain starts and into the next stitch. Repeat this row one more time. Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Finishing
There are a few options for closing the bag. You could add a button on the inside and make a small loop on the opposite side to close the bag. Or you could make a chain and weave it across both sides to pull the bag closed.
You could also purchase a clasp to attach to the top of the bag to close.
Please share photos of your finished bags with me on Instagram @crafted.by.cat