FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL
Being a crocheter and pattern designer is definitely fun and colorful, because you get to experiment with infinite textures and tones. Especially when working with a technique such as tapestry crochet. And the idea for this design was exactly that, to showcase the joy of weaving.
The Iris Tapestry Bag is a small size bag, ideal to carry your mobile phone, a small wallet and some other basic stuff, with such a special look to match so many outfits. It is a basic tapestry crochet pattern with some nice details within the handles that make them unique.
A project for those yarn colors or leftovers that you think do not match, but believe me, just try them out and you will be surprised, just as I was.
Also including directions to add a lining and zipper, to make it extra resistant and structured. A chance to expand you DIY knowledge as well, only to learn basic seaming, which comes real handy.
Tapestry crochet with two colors only, which you can always practice before making this actual project. You only need a few minutes and making a small sample to try it out with my Tapestry Crochet, Getting Started video. This will help you start the bag project with more confidence.
The bag has a simple structure, with basic increases and an easy repetitive pattern for the drawing. And even though handles include several steps they are only made with two rounds.
SPECIAL STITCHES AND 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.
Slip stitch join (Standing slip stitch)
Used to add a new yarn in the beginning of a new round, to get a cleaner start. Make a slip ring over the hook, insert the hook in the st, yarn over, pull through the st and through the loop on the hook.
Invisible join
It is used to get a cleaner end of round. Finish last st of the rnd, cut the yarn leaving a 4”/10 cm tail and pull the yarn through the loop. With tapestry needle, insert in the first st of the rnd. Then, insert the needle on top of the last st of the rnd, by going through the center and pulling through the WS. Pull to close and fasten off.
This video tutorial for the Iris Tapestry Bag covers all steps of the making. Video is in Spanish, but you have the option to see the Closed Caption in the language of your choice, by selecting the settings icon on the video then, select Closed Caption, Automatic Translation and select your language. And you also have all written directions (below this same post), to follow every detail step by step.
If you want the formatted, ad free, 15 page PDF document (with written instructions for the bag, chart and also including more than 70 images in photo tutorials) of the Iris Tapestry Bag, this is available in my pattern stores (Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrochet) for USD $4.70.
Video tutorial displays the making for black/yellow color combination, while written instructions and pattern depict brown/pink match choice. Same instructions and same making, with sport weight yarn for the bag and light weight yarn for the handles.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
- One 100 gr/3.52 oz (212 m/232 yd) skein of sport weight 100% cotton yarn in BROWN (MC)
- One 100 gr/3.52 oz (212 m/232 yd) skein of sport weight 100% cotton yarn in PINK (CC)
- One 50 gr/1.76 oz (120 m/131 yd) skein of light weight 100% cotton yarn in LIME (COLOR 1)
- One 50 gr/1.76 oz (120 m/ 131 yd) skein of light weight 100% cotton yarn in BEIGE (COLOR 2)
- One 50 gr/1.76 oz (120 m/ 131 yd) skein of light weight 100% cotton yarn in BLACK (COLOR 3)
- 3.5 mm (E-4) crochet hook
- Stitch markers
- One 9.1”/23 cm long zipper
- 0.3 yd/ 0.3 m of fabric for lining
- Two metallic hook buckles
- Regular sewing thread in MC and CC
- Tapestry needle
- Regular sewing needle
- Pins
- Square ruler
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE
Bag size: 9.1” x 6.3”/ 23 cm x 16 cm
Short handles’ band circumference: 43.3”/ 110 cm
Long strap length: 31.9”/ 81 cm
GAUGE
Single crochet, back and forth (MC and CC)
20 sts x 20 rows= 4”/ 10 cm
Single crochet, back and forth (COLOR 1, 2 and 3)
21 sts x 20 rows= 4”/ 10 cm
Single crochet, in the round, with tapestry crochet (MC and CC)
22 sts x 19 rnds= 4”/ 10 cm
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate: This design includes crochet basic stitches, basic increases, an easy level tapestry crochet pattern, easy shaping and finishing techniques.
STITCH GUIDE
- ch: chain
- Rnd: round
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- rep: repeat
- beg: beginning
- MC: main color
- CC: contrasting color
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
NOTES
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sc, place a marker in first st of the Rnd and move up with every Rnd as work progresses.
- CC is carried from Rnd 2 of the bag, to give more resistance to the bottom of the bag.
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, with sl st, place a marker in first st of the Rnd.
- Before making final seams to join the band for the short handles, the zipper and lining, pin and baste, to keep in place while sewing.
- Length of zipper depends on final width of the bag. If crochet work results in a different size, length of zipper should be adjusted.
- In the list of materials complete information for each skein is listed, to have further details about yarn used. For the bag, estimated amount of yarn used is 60 gr of MC, 45 gr of CC and for the handles 20 gr of COLOR 1 and 10 gr of COLOR 2 and 3 each.
BAG
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the bottom. With MC, ch 22.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 19, 5 sc in next ch, continue on the other side of the foundation ch, sc 19, 2 sc in last ch= 48 sts
Rnd 2: From this round on, carry and wrap CC yarn. Take it leaving a 4”/ 10 cm tail. Continue crocheting with MC, now wrapping CC in between the sts.
Sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 19, 3 sc in next st, sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 19, 3 sc in next st, sc 1= 56 sts
Rnd 3: Sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 21, 3 sc in next st, sc 5, 3 sc in next st, sc 21, 3 sc in next st, sc 2= 64 sts
Rnd 4: Sc 4, 3 sc in next st, sc 23, 3 sc in next st, sc 7, 3 sc in next st, sc 23, 3 sc in next st, sc 3= 72 sts
Rnd 5: Sc 5, 3 sc in next st, sc 25, 3 sc in next st, sc 9, 3 sc in next st, sc 25, 3 sc in next st, sc 4= 80 sts
Rnd 6: Sc 6, 3 sc in next st, sc 27, 3 sc in next st, sc 11, 3 sc in next st, sc 27, 3 sc in next st, sc 5= 88 sts
Rnd 7: Sc 7, 3 sc in next st, sc 29, 3 sc in next st, sc 13, 3 sc in next st, sc 29, 3 sc in next st, sc 6= 96 sts
Rnd 8: Sc 8, 3 sc in next st, sc 31, 3 sc in next st, sc 15, 3 sc in next st, sc 31, 3 sc in next st, sc 7= 104 sts
Rnd 9: Continue crocheting over 104 sts by following the Iris Tapestry Chart or instructions below. Switch colors between MC and CC, to make the drawing, by carrying the unused color in between the sts of the working color.
With MC sc 2, (with CC sc 2, with MC sc 1, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 3) rep ( ) 12 times, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 1, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 1= 104 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 10: (With CC sc 1, with MC sc 1) rep ( ) 52 times= 104 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 11: (With CC sc 2, with MC sc 1, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 3) rep ( ) 13 times= 104 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 12: (With CC sc 1, with MC sc 1) rep ( ) 52 times= 104 sts
Rnd 13: (With MC sc 1, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 2) rep ( ) 13 times= 104 sts (close last st of the Rnd with MC)
Rnd 14: With MC sc 2, (with CC sc 1, with MC sc 1) rep ( ) 51 times= 104 sts (close last st of the Rnd with CC)
Rnd 15: With CC sc 1, (with MC sc 3, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 1, with CC sc 2) rep ( ) 12 times, with MC sc 3, with CC sc 2, with MC sc 1, with CC sc 1= 104 sts
Rnd 16: Rep Rnd 12
Rnds 17-32: Rep Rnds 9-16, twice more
Rnds 33-38: Rep Rnds 9-14, once again
Rnd 39 (short Rnd): Sc necessary sts, according to Rnd 15, just to reach the fold of the bag (close last st with MC).
Cut CC leaving a 4”/10 cm tail.
Rnd 40: Place beg of Rnds marker in the first st of this Rnd.
Sl st 104, close with invisible join in the first sl st of the Rnd= 104 sts
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
SHORT HANDLES BAND
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the bottom. With COLOR 1 ch 250, leaving a long tail at the beg to sew afterwards.
Rnd 1: Starting in first ch made, to close in the round, sc 250 (taking care not to twist the foundation ch)= 250 sts (place a marker in st 125 of the Rnd and close last st of the Rnd with COLOR 2)
Cut COLOR 1 by leaving a long tail for sewing.
Rnd 2: Sl st 250, close with invisible join in the first sl st of the Rnd= 250 sts
Fasten off.
Rotate the work on the RS, to continue crocheting with COLOR 3 on the opposite side of the foundation ch.
Rnd 3: Sl st join in the first ch, sl st 249, close with invisible join in the first sl st of the Rnd= 250 sts
Fasten off and weave in ends of COLOR 2 and 3
LONG HANDLE
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from one end. With COLOR 1 ch 171, leaving a long tail at the beg to sew afterwards.
Rnd 1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 170 (close last sc with COLOR 2), cut COLOR 1, with COLOR 2 sl st in same ch, continue on the other side of the foundation ch, sl st 196= 340 sts (close last st of the Rnd with COLOR 3)
Cut COLOR 2. With COLOR 3 continue crocheting in the round, over the sc with COLOR 1 from Rnd 1
Rnd 2 (short Rnd): Sl st 170, close with invisible join in the first sl st of COLOR 2= 170 sts
Fasten off and weave in ends of COLOR 2 and 3.
HOOK EYELETS (Make 2)
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from one end. With COLOR 1, ch 10, leaving a long tail at the beg to sew afterwards.
Rnd 1: Starting in 2nd ch from the hook, sc 8, 1 sc and 1 sl st in next ch, continue on the other side of the foundation ch, sl st 8= 18 sts
Continue crocheting in the round, over the sc from Rnd 1
Rnd 2 (short Rnd): Sl st 9, close with invisible join in the first sl st= 9 sts
Fasten off and weave in beg tail.
FINISHING
JOINING SHORT HANDLES BAND TO THE BAG
With regular sewing thread in CC and sewing needle, baste the short handles band to front/back of the bag, by lining up the marker and beg of Rnds of the band with the ends of Rnd 1 of the bag and 15 sts from each side, on the upper edge of the bag, by leaving 38 sts from each handle without sewing. With COLOR 1 and tapestry needle, make final seams, by joining over the center part of the handles
CHAIN EYELETS
Fold each eyelet in half and sew the ends with tapestry needle, leaving the open eyelet on top, for metallic hook to go through. With tapestry needle, sew the closed end of each eyelet to each side of the bag, over the last two Rnds from the edge down.
LINING
Fold the fabric for lining in half, with RS together and press. Lay the crochet bag over the fabric, lining up Rnd 1 of bottom with the folded edge of the lining. Draw small marks for width and length of the bag, over the fabric. Remove the bag and draw the complete outline, by using the square ruler. Pin the fabric to keep in place. Machine sew the side seams only and cut out the lining, by leaving a 1”/ 2.5 cm allowance at the top edge and a 0.6”/ 1.5 cm allowance to the sides.
Press the 1”/2.5 cm top allowance all around the edge of the lining, to the WS. Measure 2”/ 5 cm, from the fold up, on both side seams and mark. Unfold one corner by shaping a triangle, lining up the seam with the bottom crease on the opposite side. Pin to keep in place. With the square ruler, draw a line across the triangle base (where you drew the mark). Cut out a notch over the tip of the allowance and unfold the allowance. Machine sew over the triangle base, with the open allowance. Cut out the tip by leaving a 0.6”/1.5 cm. Rep for the other corner.
Cut out notches on top corners of the lining. Baste the top edge of the lining with thread in CC. Take one side of the zipper on the RS, pin and baste with thread in CC, to one side of the lining, on the WS. Open the zipper and rep for the other side. Finally, machine or hand sew the zipper to the lining, with thread in MC. Remove baste stitches.
Place the lining inside the bag, lining up side seams and bottom. Then, pin and baste from all around the bag opening. Hand sew the top edge of the crochet work to the zipper, with thread in MC.
LONG HANDLE ASSEMBLY
Insert each end of the long handle in a metallic hook and sew to hold in place. Hold each hook from the long handle to each eyelet.
And your Iris Tapestry Bag is done. I am sure you’ll love it as much as I do. So vibrant and it will look amazing with what you put together from the wardrobe. Also comfortable and ready for any nice promenade or afternoon out.
One tapestry crochet project that you will love to make with me. Share your creations with me, use #iristapestrybag to see your version or just tag me as @chabepatterns on my Instagram.
All written instructions, charts and images in this pattern are protected by Copyright. This pattern is for personal use and not to be copied or reproduced, partially or totally, for any purpose. It may not be redistributed or shared anywhere, either online or offline. Finished items made from this pattern may be sold, in small quantity. But they cannot be promoted using the images contained in this pattern. Proper credit for the original design must be given to Chabepatterns and link back to this post and/or designer’s pattern shop.