XL UPCYCLED FABRIC BAG

FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL

If you’re a fan of large bags, to carry all you need for the day, or just because you love the look, this duotone choice will make a great addition to your wardrobe. The softer, neutral tones make it easier to match a variety of outfits.

Another crochet project that’s fast to make, because it’s constructed in one seamless piece. Simply combining two contrasting colors and attaching a couple of laces by the end, for that practical and stylish plus.

Using Ice Yarns once again, to show you the versatility of t-shirt/ribbon yarn for different items. Images below give you a better idea about the material, and why it’s great for thicker hooks, to take advantage of the bulky texture.

My go to choice for stitches in this kind of projects is single crochet, I just love that small stitch in a bolder, thicker version, that also gives great body to a bag. And the crab stitch (reverse single crochet), giving that extra grip for the handle. To be made from the bottom up, in the round, with basic increases.

Video tutorial shows every step, from shaping the bottom of the bag, to making crab stitch all around the edge and tying the straps. And find written instructions below.

Only one skein per color will be enough, to create this accessory that goes great with Spring and Summer vibes.

You will also note I’m 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. 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

• 10 mm (N/P-15) crochet hook
• One 400 gr/ 14.11 oz (80 m/ 87 yds) skein of super bulky Upcycled fabric yarn (95% Cotton, 5% Elastan) from Ice Yarns in Yellow, fnt2-43908
• One 400 gr/ 14.11 oz (80 m/ 87 yds) skein of super bulky Upcycled fabric yarn (95% Cotton, 5% Elastan) from Ice Yarns in Grey, fnt2-39892
• Stitch markers in two colors (which will be named A and B)
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

FINISHED SIZE
16.7” x 11.4”/ 42.5 cm x 29 cm (with straps untied)

GAUGE (sc, in the round)
7 sts x 7 rnds= 4”/ 10 cm
NOTE: Super bulky upcycled fabric yarn is 0.8-1.2 cm wide but it’s also good to measure the material with the edges unfolded to get a more accurate gauge (see the images below).

SKILL LEVEL
Easy: This pattern uses basic stitches, basic shaping and finishing techniques

STITCH GUIDE

• ch: chain
• Rnd: round
• st: stitch
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet

BAG
Crocheted in the round, in a spiral, starting from the base. With grey ch 19.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a color A marker in the first st and a color B marker in 3rd st), sc 16, 5 sc in next ch (place B markers in first and 5th st), continue on the other side of the ch, sc 16, 2 sc in the last ch (place B marker in first st)= 42 sts
Rnd 2: Relocate A marker in the first st of every round, and B markers in the middle sts every time you make 3 sc in one st. This will make counting rounds and sts easier.
Sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 16, 3 sc in next st, sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 16, 3 sc in next st, sc 1= 50 sts
Rnd 3: Sc 3, 3 sc in next st, sc 18, 3 sc in next st, sc 5, 3 sc in next st, sc 18, 3 sc in next st, sc 2= 58 sts
Rnd 4-11: Sc 58= 58 sts
Rnd 12: Sc 1 (close this first st with yellow to change color), cut grey leaving a 4″/10 cm strand, sc 57= 58 sts. Usually the color change would have been made in the last st of R11, in this project it was made in the first st of R12 to push it more to the fold of the bag and remain unseen on the front of the bag.
Rnd 13-22: Sc 58= 58 sts
Rnd 23 (short round): Sc 4 or necessary sts to reach the fold of the bag.
Rnd 24: Sc 11 (relocate marker in the first of these sts for the new beginning of rounds), ch 7 (handle opening), skip 7 sts, sc 22, ch 7 (handle opening), skip 7 sts, sc 11= 58 sts. Sl st in the first st of the round.
Rnd 25: Ch 1, make 58 sts with crab st. Sl st in the first st of the round.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.

FINISHING
Cut four 25.6″/ 65 cm pieces of yellow yarn.
Pull one strand in and out behind one stitch, 4 rows below the bag’s upper edge and 4 sts from the side. Fold the strap in half and tie a knot. Repeat for the other 3 straps.
Tie both straps on each side into a bow, to make the bag smaller and untie them at any time if you need more space.
The bag is finished.