Even though it is still snowing and snowing and snowing here, Spring has to be on the way. It just has to be on the way. I love Canada and the prairies but really!
With Spring comes Easter and all of the bunny, chicken and egg stuff. When my kids were little, I always tried to make a little toy for them to play with to match the season. I remember crocheting eggs that tied closed and had a crocheted chick waiting inside. I crocheted little ducks and rabbits as well. It is always fun to make something for little kids, they are just so happy that you spent time to make something just for them. It is a privilege, really, to see a little person enjoying your handicraft.
This year, instead of a toy, why not make a little bag for your little kid. This tiny messenger bag can be dressed up girly or made in macho colours. You can hide a little surprise inside and see the delight when the little bag is opened.
The little bag is a free pattern in my Ravelry store, but I am reprinting it here for you to look at and, I hope, make for a little special someone.
This little bag is the perfect size for a two to four year old. Make it bigger by increasing your starting chain and working more rows for the base. Be sure to increase the flap size by using the number of sc across one half of the bag minus 4.
Material: 50g worsted acrylic yarn (I used Bernat Super Saver), scraps of worsted weight for flowers.
Tools: 5mm crochet hook, tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
Gauge: 8sc = 5cm. Exact gauge is not important.
Bag Body: Begin at base of bag with ch13.
Row 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.
Row 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.
Row 3: repeat row 2.
Row 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.
Row 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.
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.
Work flowers and sew to bag flap.
Weave in ends and lightly steam so flap and strap lie flat.
Flowers:
Row 1: ch2, 9 sc in 1st ch, sl st to join.
Row 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.
