I have created another quick and easy summer crochet project that will thrill your favourite little one. This time I made an accessory to carry all of the little treasures that need to come along with your kids where ever you go.
The Tiny Shoulder Bag is decorated with flowers but you can use your imagination to make it match the personality of the recipient. How about a little bear face or bunny face appliqued to the flap? You could make a bunch of these for party favours as they work up really quickly.
This pretty little shoulder bag can be made in a larger size to fit an older child by simply increasing the starting chain and adding more rows to the base and body to make it wider and taller. I have included a formula for the increase to make sure that the flap fits properly.
I have made a few of these with odd bits of worsted weight acrylic; they are a great stash buster!
Material: 50g worsted acrylic yarn (I used Bernat Super Saver), scraps of worsted weight for flowers.
Tools: 5mm (H or 8) crochet hook, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Gauge: 8sc = 5cm. Exact gauge is not important.
Abbreviations: sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
Bag Body: Begin at base of bag with ch13
Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to 2nd last ch, 3 sc in last ch, sc in opposite side of each ch back to beginning, 2sc in beginning ch, sl st to join.
Rnd 2: (ch1, 2sc) in same st, sc in each sc to sc before 3sc in one on previous row. Work 2sc in 1st sc, sc in next sc, 2sc in 3rd sc, sc in each sc on opposite long edge to next increase group from the previous row, 2sc in sc, sc in sc, 2sc in sc, sl st to join.
Rnd 3: repeat row 2.
Rnd 4: ch1, sc in same st, 2sc in next sc twice, sc to last 5 sc, work 2sc in sc twice, sc in sc, 2sc in sc twice, sc to last two sc, 2sc in sc twice, sl st to join. 44 sc.
Rnd 5: ch1, sc in back loop of each sc around. This will make a ridge where the base and side of bag meet. Mark the end of the round with a removable stitch marker or safety pin.
Work sc in each sc around until a total of 17 rounds have been worked. I work in a spiral to eliminate the join line keeping track of the round end with a pin or marker.
On the 18th round, stop 2 sc before the marker, ch1 and turn to start the flap.
Flap:
Row 1 to 14: sc in sc below 18 times, ch1 and turn.
Row 15: skip 1st sc, sc in sc below 16 times, sl st into last sc, ch1 and turn.
Row 16: Repeat row 15 working sc 14 times.
Row 17: Repeat row 15 working sc 12 times. Fasten off.
Strap: Attach the yarn to the sc at the top of the bag closest to the flap, ch 60 and attach with a sl st to the opposite side of the bag top closest to the flap. Be careful not to twist the chain.
Row 1: sl st into next sc at bag edge from the flap and sc in each ch (60 sc), sl st into next sc at top of bag and then again into next sc, ch1 and turn.
Row 2: sc into each sc across, sl st into next sc on bag edge and then again into next sc, ch1 and turn.
Row 3: sc into each sc across, sl st into next sc on bag edge and fasten off.
Flowers:
Rnd 1: ch2, 9 sc in 1st ch, sl st to join.
Rnd 2: *(ch2,dc, ch2, sl st) into 1st sc, skip next sc* , repeat * to * around and fasten off
Make 2 to 4 flowers in the same or contrasting colours.
Finishing: Work a row of sc around edge of bag flap. Work a row of crab st or backwards sc around edge of flap. Work a row of crab st across the front of the bag. Sew a Velcro closure or a snap on flap and bag front to close if desired. Work flowers and sew to bag flap. Weave in ends and lightly steam so flap and strap lie flat.
