(Somewhat) Satchel

The bag that was going to be a scarf. Carefully cropped so that you can not see what a mess my garden is. It's been too darn hot to do any gardening lately...

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I found a new yarn shop, full of what seemed to be very impractical yarn. Still, I found myself unable to leave without purchasing a couple of skeins of this yarn (#1 and #22, I think). I do not normally even wear pink. I started a scarf, but soon realised that it was going to be itchy. This is weird yarn - it felt really soft when balled up, but felt kind of rough and scratchy when I was actually working with it. Maybe it's just me. Even so, I knew that I didn't want it around my neck, so I hoped that there was enough to make a bag from instead. The (Somewhat) Satchel was knocked out.

Disclaimer: I don't know what I am doing when it comes to crochet and often wonder if I am just making things up as I go along, but I thought I'd attempt to share the pattern with you anyway. If you do try making one, I'd love to get some feedback about any errors (I'm awful at counting stitches and rows) and ideas for better phrasing or the correct way of doing this etc.

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The bag body is made in one piece, starting with the base. You will add a row of single crochet around the edge of the base, then work in the round up the sides. The flap is then worked back and forth in rows. The shoulder strap and buckle straps are made separately in contrasting yarn and sewn on at the end.

Ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/somewhat-satchel

You will need:

approx 180 yards / 160cm of heavy worsted yarn (I used 2 skeins of Savanna by GGH)

1 skein of yarn in a contrasting colour for the straps (I used Vanna's Choice by Lion's Brand)

2 buckles (I bought a couple of dirt cheap cat collars and removed the buckles)

US size K 10.5 hook (6.50mm)

US size I 9 hook (5.50mm)

Yarn needle

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Abbreviations used (nb. I'm using the American stitch terms):

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

fpdc = front post double crochet (a search on the 'net shows lots of great tutorials for this easy stitch - it's the same as a dc, but you put the hook behind the 'post' of the stitch)

sl st = slip stitch

rep = repeat

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gauge: 30sc = 8" or 20cm

finished bag measures approximately 8" x 2½" x 5½" or 21cm x 6cm x 15cm

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BAG BASE:

Row 1: (Using the larger size K hook) ch 30

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in second ch from hook and each ch across =30sc

Rows 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc across

Rows 4-10: rep row 3

At the end of row 10 you will work down the side of the piece (ie. along the short side of the rectangle), and then around the first edge (row 1) and then up the other side:

Turning the corner, sc in last sc of row 10 again (marked ** on picture), then sc in each of the gaps (marked *) down the edge (9sc). Turn the corner, sc in each of the ch of row 1 (30sc). Turn the corner, sc up the remaining edge (9sc).

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BAG SIDES (worked in the round):

Round 1: sc in the back loop (furthest loop from you of the two top loops that make a single chain) of each sc all the way around = 78sc

Round 2: (switch to smaller size I hook) dc in each sc all the way around = 78dc

Round 3: fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9dc, fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9dc (the fpdc are at each of the corners of the bag)

Rounds 4 - 13: rep round 3

Round 14: fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9 dc, fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in nect 8dc, sl st in last dc

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BAG FLAP (worked back and forth in rows):

Row 1: ch 3, (continuing along the long edge of the bag) dc in next 29 dc

Row 2: ch 3 for turning chain, dc in next 29 dc

Rows 3 - 11: rep row 2
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I then did a row of sc down the side of the flap, around the top of the bag and up the other side of the flap and along the top of the flap. This gives it a nice neat edge, but isn't necessary.

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In contrasting yarn:

SHOULDER STRAP:

Row 1: ch 200

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch

Rows 3 - 8: rep row 2

Sew strap on outside of bag using the yarn.

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BUCKLE STRAPS (nb. The inside edge of my buckle was equal to 3 rows of crochet. You may need fewer or more rows, depending on the width of your buckle) :

Make 2:

Row 1: ch 10

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch

Row 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc.

Sew buckle onto the end of this strap.

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Make 2:

Row 1: ch 21

Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch

Row 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc
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Sew the 2 straps attached to the buckle onto the front of the bag, then (making sure that they are in line with the buckles) sew the longer straps onto the flap of the bag (use the picture as a guide)

You're finished. As modelled by a pyjama-clad kid in a garden that needs raking:

Wow, it seems a lot more complicated when you're writing out every step, but it's not a hard bag to make.

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Translation of the day:

UK English: purse = small coin purse (feminine version of a wallet) in US English

UK English: handbag = purse, handbag or (apparently) pocketbook in US English.
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I had to look pocketbook up after reading that word the other day. I had no clue what was being referred to, but guessed that they weren't talking about a paperback book. Is it in common usage over here?

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nb. I have a lot of catching up to do. I am way behind on replying to people, but I have an old wrist injury keeping me from spending much time on the computer. A police dog bit me 10 years ago (no, I wasn't on the run from the law - I just knew the dog handler) and it still keeps playing up (my wrist, that is. Hopefully the dog has stopped playing up).

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Not too long to go 'til my 100th post and a giveaway. I'll give you a clue - there'll be some fabric up for grabs. It seems like I bought it ages ago now. I was under the illusion that I would be posting regularly and often over the summer... Take care all.