Take Along Crochet

This summer I designed a bag to store an embroidery project to keep in my purse, for times that I am waiting for an appointment and it gave me something to do. You would be surprised at how quickly projects get done by doing this. I have challenged myself to try my hand at Crocheting. I am a beginner and just recently learned how to single crochet a simple bag. I modified my embroidery pattern to use a bag for "crochet" and this is what I came up with. It was designed for smaller projects like hats, gloves, dish cloths, booties and such. You could make it larger for afghans and shawls if you wanted to. Follow along and lets make a Take Along Crochet bag ~

Fabric:

One single crochet block measuring 9 1/4 X 23 inches. I used part of a skein of yarn I had on hand, so I don't know how much to tell you other than it was less than 7 oz

You will need contrasting fabric for the pockets and flap. I used a bandanna approximately 22 X 22

Cut the lining using 2 layers of fabric (the folded part will become the bottom of the bag). The sides will be sewn to form the shape of the bag. After I made the block, I placed the block on top of the folded fabric lining and cut the lining 1 inch larger than the block on two sides and allowed extra for the pocket lining. I used the folded section of the fabric for the bottom of the bag so it would not have a seam and the lining would fit nicer inside the bag. I did cut off some extra fabric on the sides but not the opening of the bag as it was turned under to form a finished edge inside the bag.

Matching thread

Supplies:

Metal crochet hook G/6 4.25mm, scissors, sewing needle, button, large eyed yarn needle, sewing pins, tape measure,iron and ironing board, and sewing machine.

Accessories to fill the bag and maybe some yarn and instructions for your next crochet project.

You can make the bag any size that you wish. I used a single crochet stitch and the finished measurements

were 9 1/4 inches X 23 inches. This was a nice size to keep in my purse.

Go ahead and crochet the outer layer of the take along bag.

I pressed the bandanna and removed the narrow surged edges (the short ends) of the bandanna. Then I pressed in a double hem and stitched it and pressed the fabric and trimmed the loose threads.

Because of the design in the bandanna, I played around with the bandanna to decide where I wanted to position the design for the pocket and flap, before pinning it to the block and sewing it. I folded the crochet block so there would be a fold on the left side of the block. I suggest using a simple design for the pockets and flap if you are not experienced in sewing large designs like this.

This is a little difficult to explain but I will do my best. I folded the bandanna in half with wrong sides together. I picked up the long edges with my fingers and folded a double hem along the long edge. Then I carefully centered the bandanna over the crochet block and estimated where the pocket could be for the front of the block. When I achieved the look that I wanted, I pressed to creased the flap and pocket fabric and pinned it into place and stitched it on both edges as shown, being careful not to sew the back side while stitching it.

Lay the pocket and flap over the crochet block and hand sew along the long edges leaving both short ends un-sewn.

Fold the Crochet block in half with the fold on the left side of the block. Thread the yarn needle with the yarn and stitch along the long sides of the crochet block to form a pocket.

Lay the lining over the Crochet bag and trim off the lining that overlaps the crochet bag, but leave the extra for the pocket hem which is shown in the above picture on the right hand side. That will become the opening for the pocket later on.

With right sides together sew the two side seams of the lining using at least a 1/4 inch side seam.

Trim the loose threads and press but do not turn right side out.

Place the lining inside the bag working the fabric so it lays nicely inside the bag. Take in more or let out the seam as needed for the lining to fit smoothly inside the bag. Turn down the hem for the pocket opening and pin as shown.

Hand stitch to finish the lining.

Sew the button as shown.

Braid some of the yarn to make a string to wrap around the button.

Stitch the braided string to the bag and wrap it around the button to close the bag.

Fill the bag with a crochet project as well as everything you will need that can be finished by hand.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that you will make one. I am sure you will agree that it is a great time saver.

Have a happy fall ~

sunshiine ~