Crochet bags are fun and easy to make. There are many types of bags and most can be made in crochet. The beauty of these designs is that they usually can be made in a day or two.
Start now and have a new bag each season (that’s four this year) or go ahead and craft yourself one for each month.
Crochet bags do not last forever and depending on the yarns you use they can get worn, fluff or pill easily.
Take care to choose natural fibres like cotton or wool or select tough acrylics.
Where to put your crochet bags when out and about
Never chuck a crochet bag (or any bag for that matter) onto the floor. Rather leave it hanging on the back of your chair
In a restaurant or coffee shop
Tuck your bag behind your back on the chair in a restaurant or coffee shop.
Only place spectacular evening bags on the dining table.
You can get a handy dandy portable handbag hook and dangle your bag stylishly from the table edge.
On the bus, train or subway
Always have your bag on your knee. Don’t leave it on the seat next to you (this attracts grab-and-runs). Not on the floor.
If your commute is very dirty put you crochet bag into a see-though plastic bag for travelling in busy public places.
In the cloakroom
Hang it on the hook or knob behind the door. Never place your crochet bag on top of the cistern. Really?
Never ever on the floor. Tuck it under your arm as you hover.
At the basin, if you have to put it on the counter, place some paper towels down first.
You never know what lurks in public places.
Care for your crochet bag
You have spent many hours making your crochet bag so you need to care for it to extend its longevity.
When bags like this get dirty or stained it is hard to clean them so the best way is to protect them beforehand.
Any bag you make and use says something about you. You want you crochet bags to be beautiful for a long time so take care and enjoy using your hand crafted bags.
Bag patterns coming soon
These bag patterns will be coming soon. I will add them as soon as I can.
The patterns are free for a few days and then cost $2 for a PDF download. Check back often to pick up your free bag patterns.
The African Violet is a delightful indoor plant that blooms in a variety of violet and purple shades. The petals can be deep purple through to pale pink and white as well.
The edges of the petals are different colours and add interest to the shape.
The flowers are surrounded by dark green almost circular leaves. Each bloom has a small yellow center.
The basic structure of yellow, violet and green leaves is an excellent shape that lends itself to crochet.
Care
African violets like to be in bright spots but not direct sunlight. Place them anywhere and even in the bathroom near a window.
When the flowers die off pinch them out as others will grow in their place. They are forgiving little plants and will bloom several times a year.
Propagation
This dainty little plant can be easily grown from a leaf cutting just thrust into fresh soil and the new leaves will shoot up from the cut base of the original leaf.
Watering
The trick to watering an African violet is to use tepid water and never cold water.
Never drip water onto the leaves but instead carefully pour water onto the soil in the pot.
Water once a week with about a half a cup of water.
If the leaves get dusty you can brush them lightly with a dry paintbrush or a pastry brush.
African Violet hexagonal motif
Shapes can be powerful symbols in themselves. Many motifs in crochet are square and this one is a hexagon. Six sided shapes are found in nature where bees make honey. The balance of six side makes the shape of a hexagon itself somewhat satisfying to see and agreeable to work with.
Use this basic six sided motif to create many items. It can be used for a simple coaster or combined with others to make larger projects like scarves, shawls or blankets.
Note: With the African violet flower hexagon motif I have made a small blanket to lay at the bottom of my bed. When I have a lie down in the afternoon (to read you know) I can slip my feet underneath the light blanket to keep my toes warm in case I nod off.
Crochet Pattern Details
You will need…
You will need yarn in yellow, white and complimentary shades of violet, pinks and purples.
You may use as few as two violet colours (one main and one complimentary) or as many colours as you like in a random fashion.
Use one color for the edging and in this case I have chosen white.
Note: My bedroom is mainly light and neutral and this is why I chose white as the edging for this blanket. You can select a colour that will compliment your bedroom colour scheme and use that as the edging colour on the last round.
Stitches used in this pattern
There are four basic crochet stitches used in the African violet flower motif and one special stitch, the spike stitch.
Please note, we use the US crochet stitch terminology and not UK on all patterns on this site.
Chain (ch).
Single crochet (sc).
Double crochet (dc).
Half double crochet (hdc).
Spike stitch (sp st) see note below.
Special stitches
Spike stitch (sp st) insert your hook into the gap in the row below the current row and pull up a loop loosely (two loops on hook), yarn over pull through both loops.
Pattern
Center chain ring: With yellow. Ch 5, join with a sl st to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (as 1st dc), dc, ch 1, *dc 2 ch 1*, repeat from * to * [4] times, sl st to join at top of 1st st. Cut yarn.
Round 2: Join violet with sl st into space. Ch 2 (as 1st dc), ch 1, dc 2, * dc 2, ch1, dc 2 * repeat [4] times. Join with sl st.
Round 3: Sl st into next 2 sts (to be in space), Ch 2 (as 1st dc), dc 6 into space, * in next space dc 7 *, repeat from * to * [4] times, join with sl st. Fasten off.
Round 4: Join contrast colour. Sl st to join into the 1st st on the left of a petal. Sc6 until you get to the gap between two petals. * Sp st, sc 7 * repeat from * to * [4] times. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Round 5: Join white. Hdc1 in every stitch until you get to the middle st of the 7 sts in the petal, in this middle st (hdc 1, ch 1, hdc 1). Continue until end making all 6 points at the top of the petals. Join with sl st. Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew in all ends by weaving up the edge of the motif.
Layout the motifs is an appealing way if you have use random colours. Take your time with the colour placement.
Pick up two motifs and with right sides facing sew them together.
“Outer loops only” sew-up method
Sew with white and a tapestry sewing needle through the outer loops only of the top row of stitches. Double stitch at the corners to keep them sharp.
This method leaves an attractive edge to each motif when laid flat.
Do not sew through both loops.
Note: Joining the hexagons by sewing them results in a firmer, smoother and less bulky seam than crocheting them together does.
Sewing may seam seem to take longer but it makes for a far superior finish.
Sewn crochet blankets will last better in the wash and after ten years they will still be joined.
I still own an acrylic crocheted blanket that I made in 1990. I use it every day and wash twice a month and the seams are only now starting to fray.
As the seasons change from summer to autumn there is a slight shift in the air.
At this time of the year it is nice to have a light and skinny scarf to wear.
This it the time where for just for the odd day the weather is a bit cooler but it is not yet into full blown cold weather.
The Tower Scarf is a transitional piece and will work in every wardrobe.
The neutral off-white but buttery shade is a popular colour and works with all complexions.
The Tower Scarf is stylish and comfortable to wear.
Dress up your cooler weather jackets and tops with this quick and easy beginner’s scarf that only uses one ball of yarn.
Pattern Inspiration
The Tower is the Blackpool Tower a famous landmark.
Pattern features
This is a one ball wonder which means you can make it with just one ball of yarn.
It is also a make in a day neckwear accessory which is what it says, you can make this in one day.
There is a delicate filet crochet pattern at one end which can be either ignored if you are a beginner or you could even add it to both ends of the scarf. The filet makes it an interesting asymmetrical scarf.
Skill level
This garment is at the beginners crochet skill level as there are only two stitches the chain (ch) and the double crochet (dc). Although you can learn the filet piece as well.
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology.
What you will need:
One ball yarn in DK or worsted weight yarn.
We used Custom Woolen Mills Ltd. 100% natural wool grown and processed in Canada, in neutral.
A wash cloth (or flannel as we used to call them) is a soft cotton cloth for use in the bathroom.
Each person in your household should have their own cloth and you can make them in co-ordinating colours to suit your bathroom decor.
Because we have four children I made a different colour for each child. Our eldest daughter had blue and white, our son brown and white (tip here; brown is a good colour for little boys), second daughter pink and white and the youngest daughter has purple/magenta and white.
Cotton wash cloths can be well – washed in the machine and come back fresh each time.
What you need:
Two balls of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton one ball in white and one ball in a contrasting colour this will make two wash cloths as shown in the photo. I have used white and turquoise.
5mm crochet hook.
Tapestry sewing needle to sew in the ends.
This pattern is at the beginner’s level.
You need to know the following crochet stitches:
Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Double crochet (dc)
WYRE WASH CLOTH
Pattern only $2
Share the love
If you love using our original designed pattern, help us grow and please promote, like and share with photos of your finished garment, using the hash tag #OECpattern.
We would love to see your completed creations.
About Old English Creations original crochet patterns
Original designs
All our patterns are Old English Creations original designs created by our talented designers Alison and Lynn.
Each one is technically correct and uses US crochet terminology and not UK crochet terminology.
Our patterns are sold as a PDF downloads. This means you get a file sent to your computer and not an actual paper pattern. You have to print it yourself.
This cowl is worked from a first row base then the work is twisted to form the Mobius. You continue in the round as it takes you over all the edges you work away from the center first row. Once you get going you can see the twist unfolding.
A Mobius strip is a two-dimensional surface with only one side as this pattern which has only one crocheting edge. Named after August Ferdinand Möbius 1790 – 1868.
This cowl uses the puff stitch.
This pattern is at the intermediate level.
You need to know the following stitches:
Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Double crochet (dc)
Puf stitch (ps)
March Mobius Cowl
Pattern only $2
Share the love
If you love using our original designed pattern, help us grow and please promote, like and share with photos of your finished garment, using the hash tag #OECpattern.
We would love to see your completed creations.
About Old English Creations original crochet patterns
Original designs
All our patterns are Old English Creations original designs created by our talented designers Alison and Lynn.
Each one is technically correct and uses US crochet terminology and not UK crochet terminology.
Our patterns are sold as a PDF downloads. This means you get a file sent to your computer and not an actual paper pattern. You have to print it yourself.
