Crochet Beach Bag
For Christmas I never know what I want, so I usually ask for
Spotlight or Lindcraft vouchers. I definitely use them and appreciate them so
much! This is how I used some of vouchers from Christmas 2014. I made myself a
crochet beach bag. Which I am now using as my everyday handbag.
I have been itching to make something out of tarn (t-shirt
yarn) since I stumbled across it on YouTube while researching another project.
I searched the web and found some great free instructions on this blog... http://knittingandsomemore.blogspot.com.au/2009/03/colourful-cotton-bag.html
by Bea from 2009. I actually found the look of the bag that I wanted to
create with Pinterest and then looked for links to instructions until I found
this blog. The instructions were easy to follow and I slightly modified them
when making the base so give it more of an oval shape. Although I can't really
explain how I managed to do it. I just added stitches until it had the
look that I was after.
All up the crocheting of the bag base took roughly a week
while binge watching TV series on DVD with my other half while we relaxed in
the evenings. However... to be fair,
this was during holidays. So usually it may take me a fortnight or even longer
to crochet the same size piece in the evenings. I used a N/15-10mm hook for the tarn in
this project.
.JPG)
Each colour is a different ball of tarn. The red isn't a
whole ball, as I used some to make a very basic macrame holder for one of my
plants that was taking up valuable real estate space on the window sill. So I
decided to make a macrame holder and hang it next to the window. I plan on
making a more complicated macrame holder for my other plant to hang it over our
bath. Hmm....so many plans so little time!
The handles were $9.99 from Lindcraft (they are also
available at Spotlight) and I stitched them on with some black tarn before I
added the calico lining.
The lining I double stitched by machine at the bottom so
hopefully it will remain hole free for some time! Last minute I added a side
pocket, so I can find my keys and such when I'm in a hurry. I made this lining
bigger than my bag actually needs, to account for stretch with use.
I hand stitched the lining into the bag. My hand stitching
isn't the neatest as I like to whip up everything on the machine. But it's good
enough to keep the lining in my bag, so I'm happy with that. If this was a gift
I would be fussier about my hand stitching.
I did forget to add a clasp for inside of the lining, so I
may even hand stitch one in. Although I don't really need it and I have so many
other projects to get stuck into I doubt that I will forget my little clasp. I have more tarn that I purchased with my vouchers and I
already have plans to make myself another bag with the round base. I think with the next bag I'll crochet the
handles, as per the instructions I found.
Anyone reading my blog and would like me to follow
theirs please comment below...I'd love to 'meet' more bloggers and creative
people!
