My Crochet Bag is a Crocheted Bag!

This may be one of my favorite projects ever.

A month or so ago I came across the Moroccan Market Tote pattern by Tamara Kelly on Moogly.com.  It’s a free pattern and I found the colors striking.  Plus, I had a variety of cotton yarn leftover from various projects in colors I thought might work.

But… as usually happens… I then decided my colors didn’t work and went and bought new yarn.

Anyway!

I thought this bag would be much smaller but really it’s pretty gigantic.  Check it out.

Realizing it was too big for my kids I needed to figure out what I was going to use it for.  Turns out it was about the same size as the old tote I was using for my crochet projects.  And, you know? A crochet bag should be a crocheted bag right??  Besides… I just think it’s adorable!

I made mine in cotton yarn.  I also lined it – which was a first for me.  You’ll have to ignore my sloppy, first-timer stitching and the messy machine stitching around the pocket.

Let’s focus on the positives…

…super cute cotton fabric

…I made pockets!  (4 of them actually!)

…I got fancy and divided one of the pockets so it would hold pencils or crochet hooks

…I learned to use the blanket stitch rather than just a whip stitch.

The lining didn’t fit exactly but it’s close enough for me and I learned a lot in the process.

Thank you Tamara for an adorable pattern!  I’m so tickled with my new crochet tote!

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Naomi N - July 16, 2014 - 5:49 pm

I came across this on ravelry and fell. in. love. Beautiful work!! I especially love that you lined it and seeing that you basically did that part ‘free-style’ gives me the courage to do the same!

eaca71997 - July 16, 2014 - 10:49 pm

How awesome! Thanks for leaving a comment and I’m so glad my post inspired you to give it a try! It wasn’t too hard (though I am not a fan of hand-sewing anything!). In hindsight I wish I’d pinned it before sewing (not sure why that didn’t occur to me originally! lol…). And I recently saw another lining post where someone machine-sewed their lining in. I think next time I will try machine sewing it and see how it looks! Hey… look there! I said “next time” so it must not have been too bad! Can’t wait to make another tote! Post a pic when you finish yours! I’d love to see it!

Laura - July 17, 2014 - 4:45 pm

How do you do the lining? I mean, I get the general idea, but any specifics you could share would be awesome.

Zanobb - July 20, 2014 - 5:34 am

I have never tried crochet (I am a knit-addict), but this really gives me the wish of trying!
Beautiful work, beautifully executed, and very useful too.

Rian - July 21, 2014 - 1:48 pm

“But… as usually happens… I then decided my colors didn’t work and went and bought new yarn.”

MY LIFE.

This is absolutely gorgeous! I love the lining, the choice of colors, everything. Well done!

eaca71997 - July 25, 2014 - 9:57 am

Thank you!!

eaca71997 - July 25, 2014 - 9:58 am

Thank you!!

eaca71997 - July 25, 2014 - 10:05 am

I read an online tutorial… unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the site because I read it through a link from FB on my phone… after reading through it and getting the general idea of the steps I sort of “winged it” from there. But there are many fabulous tutorials to walk you through your first bag lining step by step. If I remember which one I visited I will post it here.

Haley - August 6, 2014 - 8:04 am

Hey! I was wondering if you thought the top and handles were strong enough to hold the weight of the bag? I was thinking about reinforcing that area, but not sure how to do it. LOVE LOVE LOVE your bag and the lining is cute! I also love your comment on going to buy more yarn… I am right there with you!

eaca71997 - August 6, 2014 - 11:55 am

Thanks so much for your comment!! They are working quite well. They do stretch and the more I put in the bag the more they stretch out. I considered reinforcing them too but didn’t know how to do that. Without reinforcement they are soft and comfortable to carry. But, again, they will stretch over time. I don’t anticipate that they would break though… they are strong crocheted in cotton.

Nicole - August 6, 2015 - 6:42 pm

I read on another website (moogly?) that said if you take a piece of ribbon the same color and width as your strap and thread it in the center of the strap then sew it to the bag or lining it will keep the strap from stretching. Your bag is beautiful. This will be my second. My first was made from 24 granny’s. :). Great job!

Catina - August 14, 2015 - 10:24 am

Thanks!

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