FRUIT BAGS’ TRIO

FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL

A free pattern combo! With 3 juicy bags included. With a nice medium size to carry what you will need for the day. With the added long handle, to wear over the shoulder or as a cross body, to move around freely.

Video tutorial for this free pattern shows the process for the Limes’ bag, which will work as a foundation to make any of the other two bags, because they have the same structure. Bottom, number of stitches and handle are all the same in the 3 models. What changes is the drawing pattern and color repetitions.

All bags are to be made with single crochet and basic increases, in the round, in one main seamless piece. And they all include Tapestry Crochet technique, by using 3 colors. If you’ve never crocheted like this before, you may want to check my video tutorial (Tapestry crochet, more than two colors at a time) first, to make a small practice and start any of your bags with more confidence. Especially important on the subject of handling several threads at a time.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Tapestry Crochet
In this technique, you crochet with one yarn while one or more threads are carried and wrapped in between the stitches. Colors are switched throughout rows/rounds to make a drawing. Depending on the project, you will make one or more foundation rows/rounds with one color only and then move on to the tapestry crochet portion of the project.

Watch the video tutorial of Limes’ bag and you will be able to make any of the other two bags. The clip explains how to follow the fruit chart in detail so, that will be useful when you want to follow the cherry and watermelon versions. You will also find the charts for each bag and written instructions below.

On an important note about this pattern, it’s best to follow some steps before you begin any of the bags. First, choose the 3 colors you will use and turn them into balls. Then, place them in yarn bowl/holder/container/box. Something that will allow you to pull out each color separately. This will make it easier and faster for you to make every color change, when you get to the drawing.

And even though drawing starts until round 6 of the bag, second and third colors are wrapped from round 2, this will give the bottom of the bag good strength and resistance. I also do this in Rnd 2 of the handle, by wrapping the additional colors, to prevent it from stretching with use and weight of the bag.

You will also note Im using stitch markers in two colors. One for marking the first stitch of every round and move up as work progresses, and the others to mark stitches where increases will be made. Thats also represented in the chart for the bottom of the bags below. Markers that I place for the increases are only for support, I find them useful, not to forget where to make them. But if you find you don’t need those or that they interfere with your crocheting, just use the beginning of rounds marker.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS (for one bag)

• 3.5 mm-E4 crochet hook
• One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (200 m/ 218 yd) skein of sport weight 100% cotton yarn in MC
• One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (200 m/ 218 yd) skein of sport weight 100% cotton yarn in SC
• One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (200 m/ 218 yd) skein of sport weight 100% cotton yarn in TC
• One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (200 m/ 218 yd) skein of sport weight 100% cotton yarn in BROWN
• Yarn bowls or box with holes
• One 9.1”/ 23 cm zipper
• Stitch markers in two colors (which will be named A and B)
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

FINISHED SIZE
BAG: 9.1” x 7.9”/ 23 cm x 20 cm
HANDLE: 1″ x 39.4″/ 2.5 cm x 100 cm

GAUGE (sc with tapestry crochet, in the round, wrapping 2 additonal strands)
24 sts x 20 rows= 4”/ 10 cm

SKILL LEVEL
Advanced: This design includes crochet basic stitches, a mid-level repetitive tapestry crochet pattern, easy shaping and finishing techniques.

STITCH GUIDE

• ch: chain
• Rnd: round
• st: stitch
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• rep: repeat
• MC: main color
• SC: second color
• TC: third color

BAG

Follow these directions to shape the bottom of any of the three bags.

Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the bottom. With MC ch 39.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a color A marker in the first st and a color B marker in the 2nd st), sc 36, 5 sc in next ch (place color B markers in 2nd and 4th st), continue on the other side of the ch, sc 36, 2 sc in the last ch (place a color B marker in the 2nd st)= 82 sts

Rnd 2: From this round on you’ll carry the SC and TC strands of yarn. To start just take them leaving a 4”/ 10 cm strand, continue crocheting with MC but now wrapping the two additional strands along. Don’t make knots. Relocate color A marker in the first st of every round and color B markers in the middle st every time you make 3 sc in one st. This will make counting rounds and sts easier.
Sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 38, 3 sc in next st, sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 38, 3 sc in next st= 90 sts
Rnd 3: Sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 40, 3 sc in next st, sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 40, 3 sc in next st, sc 1= 98 sts
Rnd 4: Sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 42, 3 sc in next st, sc 5, 3 sc in next st, sc 42, 3 sc in next st, sc 2= 106 sts
Rnd 5: Sc 4, 3 sc in next st, sc 44, 3 sc in next st, sc 7, 3 sc in next st, sc 44, 3 sc in next st, sc 3= 114 sts
Rearrange the yarn containers if necessary to unravel any tangles.

Rnd 6-45: Continue crocheting, by following the Limes, Cherries or Watermelon chart over 114 sts, alternating colors according to the drawing you have chosen. Remove color B markers in Rnd 6 and continue relocating color A marker in the first st of every round.

After finishing Rnd 45 (of any of the bags), sc 10 sts more (or necessary sts) to reach the fold of the bag. Sl st in next st and fasten off. Cut SC and TC strands leaving 4”/ 10 cm. Weave in all ends.

HANDLE
Crocheted in the round in a spiral, starting from one end. With BROWN, ch 231, leaving a long strand at the beginning to sew afterwards.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a color A marker in the first st and a color B marker in the 2nd st), sc 228, 5 sc in next ch (place color B markers in 2nd and 4th st), continue on the other side of the ch, sc 228, 2 sc in the last ch (place a color B marker in the 2nd st)= 466 sts
Rnd 2: From this round on you’ll carry the SC and TC strands of yarn. To start just take them leaving a 4”/ 10 cm strand, continue crocheting with MC but now wrapping the two additional strands along. Don’t make knots. Relocate color A marker in the first st of every round and color B markers in the middle st every time you make 3 sc in one st. This will make counting rounds and sts easier.
Sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 230, 3 sc in next st, sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 230, 3 sc in next st= 474 sts. Sl st in the 1st st of the round. Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing, cut SC and TC leaving a 4” strand. Weave in SC and TC strands.

FINISHING
Sew the zipper to the bag. Sew the handle to the sides of the bag, 4 rows below the edge.
The bag is ready.