Free "Pattern": Bitty Bag Basics

This is my original "pattern." Please feel free to use as you like, just don't claim it as your own/ sell the pattern/ etc. blah blah blah Click on pictures for larger view

BITTY BAG

I crocheted this bag in one afternoon, using 1 ball of TLC Cotton Plus, and a G (4.0MM) Susan Bates Silvalume hook

Mind you, this isn't a typical pattern, just some guidelines so you can make your very own creation!

Start with a magic ring, and make 10 half double crochets into it, join. Pull the tail of your magic ring tight to cinch up the bottom.

Chain 2, hdc in join and in each hdc around. Join. (20 hdc)

Chain 2, hdc in join, 1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc in next (for a repeat of 2 in one stitch, 1 in the next) around. Join.

Continue to work around, increasing the number of hdc's that stand alone by 1 each round (so the next round would be 1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc in next) until the bottom is the size you like. My bag was just about 4" across.

When you've got the bottom of your bag the size you like, ch 2, hdc in the back loop only around. Join. This will be the last join you make for awhile, the rest is worked continuously. Continue working your way around your bag until you're around 2" shy of your desired height. Fold your bag in half, and mark the stitch on each side. Starting at the first stitch marked, hdc in the back loop only until you reach the 2nd marked stitch, after that finish the round in both loops. Continue working in both loops for approximately 1 more inch, join.

The next round is to hold your drawstring. Play with stitches, I used a cluster/ ch 1 in every other hdc for mine. The cluster I used is a 2 dc cluster- start as you would to make a double dc, but don't make final yarn over pull thru. Instead, yarn over and start like you're making a 2nd dc in the same stitch. Pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, pull loop thru all loops on hook. Join this round.

Chain 2, hdc around and finish off.

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Flap: Remember where you marked the stitches and worked in the back loop only? Join your yarn in the loop you missed on that round and chain 2. Make another hdc in same loop, 1 hdc in remaining stitches, ending with 2 hdc in last loop. Chain 2 and turn.

Hdc in 1st stitch and across, making 2 hdc in last hdc. Ch 2, turn.

Hdc across, ch 2 turn until desired size. Single crochet around to give it a finished look.

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Drawstring: Chain a length long enough to be threaded around your bag and then a little more because you will slip stitch thru the back "bump" of your chain, and that tends to make it smaller than what you started out with. Weave through the round you made to carry it, then tie a knot at the ends of your cord.

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Carry strap: Chain 25, slip stitch back through your chain across, chain 1, turn, slip stitch across. Helpful tip: leave a tail on both ends to sew to bag. Sew it to your bag being careful not to twist it.

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Bottom: If you like, you can cut a piece of cardboard to put in the bottom of your bag to keep it flat.

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Pocket: Make a chain and hold it up to your bag to gauge how wide to make it, hdc each row until its the right size, sew onto your bag, hide all your ends, and you're done!

And just think, you did it yourself!

Optional: You can mix and match stitches, I used the cross stitch for a couple rounds in my bag. Beads would have been cool, but I didn't have any to match my yarn. Play with it and have fun! As for me, I ended up with just what I needed- a bag to clip (with a carbine clip) to my belt loop that will hold my camera, cell phone, and a few other things! I have made a much larger version of the bag that I haul my projects around in, and everyone just loves it (I have 4 people offering to pay me to make them one!)

Blessings,
Cris~