FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL
Thinking of using what we already have at home, isn’t necessarily limiting or boring. Shades of one same color, that are put away in our stash and a simple belt in our wardrobe, can create a super cool accessory, like the Via Belt Bag. And yes, this is crochet, though it might look like a knit ribbing.
A project to renew your outdoor looks. Just composed of two pieces, one that makes the bag and a tubular loop to fit the belt strap on the back side. With the exact size to carry your essentials for a day of traveling. And the versatility to wear over one shoulder (my favorite look), around the waist or just as a clutch.
An easy skill level make, including a half double crochet variant to create that faux two needle rib. Combining back and forth technique for the main piece and in the round work, for the fast belt loop. A good project to practice easy finishing techniques, to add the clasps, make the seams and shape a simple lining.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Half double crochet back bar: Half double crochet, made by taking the back bar of half double crochet from last row, to make a ribbing stitch pattern. Yarn over, insert the hook, bottom to top, through the back bar of next half double crochet, yarn over, pull through the bar, yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the hook.
Wouldn’t say it’s a pattern for beginners. If you have never crocheted before, I suggest you watch my Crocheting from scratch video tutorial first. There, you’ll get all tips from how to hold the crochet hook and yarn, practice back and forth crochet and all the way to creating your first project. Then, this free pattern will be a great choice to continue and get more skills.
The Via Belt Bag is ideal and easy, to sit back and enjoy your crocheting in the couch. Then, finishing becomes an essential part of the process, to give it good structure and resistance. And all those steps to get it right are included in the video tutorial as well. Written instructions, photos and more details about this design are also available below for you.
If you want the formatted, ad free, 9 page PDF document (with written instructions and more than 50 images in photo tutorials) of the Via Belt Bag, this is available in my pattern stores (Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrochet) for USD $2.50.
Belt loop, clasps and lining are the ultimate parts of the process. Sport weight cotton yarn was my choice, because it’s what I mainly have in my left overs! But you can really use any yarn you have available. As long as you follow a similar finishing, you’ll get nice support to carry around with confidence. I do suggest using shades of one same color, for that chunky ribbing texture shine. Other materials, like sewing thread, needle, square ruler and pins are needed to finish the project. And pattern illustrates all stages, from beginning to the end.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
- 4.5 mm (G7) crochet hook
- 3.5 mm (E4) crochet hook
- One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (212 m/ 232 yd) skein of sport weight Omega Sinfonía yarn (100% cotton) in GREEN 818
- One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (212 m/ 232 yd) skein of sport weight Omega Sinfonía yarn (100% cotton) in AQUA 831
- 0.3 yd/ 0.3 m of fabric for lining
- 2 sets of magnetic clasps in SILVER
- Regular sewing thread in GREEN or AQUA
- Regular sewing thread in contrasting color
- Stitch marker
- Pins
- Tapestry needle
- Sewing needle
- Square ruler
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
FINISHED SIZE: 8.3” x 5.1”/ 21 cm x 13 cm
GAUGE
- GREEN and AQUA held together, half double crochet back bar, 4.5 mm crochet hook: 16 sts x 10 rows= 4”/ 10 cm
- Single crochet, back and forth, 3.5 mm crochet hook: 20 sts x 22 rows= 4”/ 10 cm
SKILL LEVEL
Easy: This design includes basic crochet stitches,simple shaping and finishing techniques.
STITCH GUIDE
• R: row
• Rnd: round
• St(s): stitch(es)
• Ch: chain
• Sl st: slip stitch
• Sc: single crochet
• Hdc: half double crochet
• Rep: repeat
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
NOTES
- When crocheting back and forth, with hdc back bar, ch 1 to begin every R, this ch does not count as a st.
- When crocheting in the round, in a spiral, place a marker in first st of the Rnd and move up as work progresses.
- Opening of belt loop fits a 0.8”/ 2 cm belt strap. If width of belt strap differs, belt loop height should be adjusted, by increasing or decreasing number of stitches.
VIA BELT BAG
MAIN PIECE
Crocheted back and forth, starting from one side. With GREEN and AQUA held together and 4.5 mm crochet hook, ch 65, leaving long tails at the beginning.
R1: Starting in second ch from the hook, hdc 64, turn= 64 sts
R2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc back bar 64, turn= 64 sts
R3-21: Rep R2
Fasten off leaving long tails for sewing.
BELT LOOP
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from one end. With GREEN and 3.5 mm crochet hook, ch 14.
Rnd 1: Starting in first ch made, to close in the round, sc 14 (taking care not to twist the foundation ch)= 14 sts
Rnd 2-25: Sc 14= 14 sts
Sl st in next st.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Weave in beginning tail.
FINISHING
CLASPS
Place one side of the clasps on the RS of the main piece, over one of the short edges, 2”/ 5 cm from each side, 0.8”/ 2 cm from the edge. Rep with the opposite sides of the clasps, over the opposite edge of the main piece, on the RS.
Fold the main piece, over the short edge with the long tails, leaving a 5.3” /13.5 cm flap on top. Pin to keep in place. With tapestry needle, sew the sides to close. Weave in the ends.
Fold 2.4”/ 6 cm of the flap inwards. Pin to keep in place. With regular sewing needle and thread, sew the sides to close and join the edge to the inside of the flap.
LINING
Fold the fabric for lining in half, with RS together and press. Lay the crochet bag over the fabric, lining up bottom fold with the folded edge of the lining. Draw small marks for width and length of the bag, until the opening, over the fabric. Remove the bag and draw the complete outline, by using the square ruler. Pin the fabric to keep in place and cut out the lining, adding a 1”/ 2.5 cm allowance at the top edge and a 0.6”/ 1.5 cm allowance to the sides.
Machine sew the side seams only. Fold and press the 1”/2.5 cm top allowance all around the edge of the lining, to the WS. Cut out notches over the four corners of the lining. Press the side allowances to the WS. Baste with thread in contrasting color.
Place the lining inside the bag, lining up side seams and bottom fold. Turn the bag inside out. Then, pin from all around the bag opening. Baste all around the lining edge, with thread in contrasting color. Hand sew around the lining edge to the crochet work, with sewing thread. Remove baste stitches.
JOINING THE BELT LOOP
Center the loop over the back side of the bag, 1.8”/ 4.5 cm from each side, lining up the upper edge with the bag opening. Sew all around the inner part of the belt loop, to the back side of the bag.
And yay! We’re finished and ready to go with our all new Via Belt Bag. Shades of green, orange, blue or any color in the palette will be lovely. A beautiful sturdy ribbing that blends so well with many outfits. You know I love seeing your makes with my patterns so, just tag @chabepatterns and use the hashtag #viabeltbag for me to have a look 😉
All written instructions 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.