Wednesday 21 June 2017

.. and YET ANOTHER WATERMELON BAG 1

free crochet watermelon bag pattern
.. and YET ANOTHER WATERMELON BAG 1

As I was working on my second watermelon inspired crochet bags, I came up with an idea for another one – inspired by something I’ve worked on before.  The 2nd bag was worked with a circle and though it turned out pretty good, I thought that it could have had a slightly ‘flatter top’.  I am hoping that this one will achieve that.
That said, my earlier watermelon bags look awfully cute too ;)

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The beauty of this bag is that you can make it in just about any size you want.  Just go ahead and increase the rounds, and you’ll have a larger bag.  Throw in a few black beads and you get an authentic watermelon slice with seeds !

I’m making this bag also, to be used to put in toilet accessories – so it does not require a handle.  I am, however, giving you links for lining the bag and adding an I-cord if needed, so you can make this a nice hanging bag too.

With this blog, you get a whole load of new bag ideas.. and if you like swag / potli bags, then you get a whole load of those ideas too.. check out the links at the end of this blog 

Finally, please note that I use two colours for my notes (which can be extensive and reallllllly detailed ;) ) so that the words pop out at you.  May I suggest that you save the blog and use it (without printing) directly from your laptop or tablet so that we can save paper and help our environment, while making this lovely project and spreading smiles.  Cheers :)

Materials used : Polyester purse yarn in cones , with a 4 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends stitch markers ; embroidery needle.

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros or unbranded knitting cotton as well
General yarn info : This polyester yarn is available only in India.
The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs 

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA  

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8 

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); 
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo 

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0 

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)
lp(s) : Loop(s)                   sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet          sp : Space                                 
sl-st : Slip stitch                ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es)                hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over                                              

Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.  
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.

As usual, before we head off into our project, let’s take a quick look at what we’re working on today.  We will work two halves to our bag and then we join the two halves together, put in a zipper along the flat top end, line it .. and voila we’re done with our lovely bag. 

You can use this pattern to make any bag (i.e not just watermelon but any semi-circular fruit), but if you’re making the watermelon bag, you need to use the three colours – red, white and then green.

So we will start with a fdc strip and work back and forth along this strip on both sides.  So if you are working on a larger bag, just increase the length of your start fsc strip.


Part 1 : Front / Back of the bag
Make two pieces

free crochet watermelon bag pattern

Foundation double crochet (fdc) : This is a unique way of starting a project directly with a row of double crochet stitches.  Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/hjNUYVvyU9k 

Start Row 1 (with red yarn) : with 8 fdc.
We will now turn and work these 8 sts, at the end we will work around the last fdc and along the back of these same stitches.

Row 2 : (with red yarn) : 
dc in the 1st 7 fdc ; 7 dc in the next fdc ; 
(turn and work along the back of the fdc) ; 
dc in each fdc till end.  Turn.

Row 3 : (with red yarn) : 
dc in the 1st 8 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last 8 dc.  Turn.

Row 4 : (with red yarn) : 
dc in the 1st 10 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last 10 dc.  Turn.

Row 5 : (with red yarn) : 
dc in the 1st 12 dc ; 2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the last 12 dc.  Turn.

Row 6 : (with red yarn) : dc in the 1st 12 dc ; 
(2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) once ; 
3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
dc in the last 11 dc.  Turn.

Row 7 : (with red yarn) : 
dc in the 1st 12 dc ; 
(2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
dc in the next dc ; 3 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next 2 dc ; 
rep (to) 3 times ; 
dc in the last 11 dc.  Turn.

Row 8 : (with red yarn) : 
dc in the 1st 12 dc ; 
(2 dc in the next dc ; dc in the next dc) ; 
rep (to) 4 times ; 
dc in the next dc ; 3 dc in the next dc ; 
dc in the next 2 dc ; 
rep (to) 5 times ; 
dc in the last 11 dc.  Turn.

Change to white yarn. Fasten off red yarn.

Row 9 : (with white yarn) : 
dc in the 1st and in each dc till end.  Turn.

Change to green yarn. Fasten off white yarn.

Row 10 : (with green yarn) : 
dc in the 1st and in each dc till end.  
Fasten off and weave in ends. 

free crochet watermelon bag pattern


Part 2 : Side for our bag

For the sides of our bag, I have decided to make a flat rectangle which I plan on attaching around the sides of the green watermelon part.  This will give our bag a little thickness / space.

For this, please first count the number of stitches you have in your last row (so check either or both the green and white rows). 
You should have the same number of stitches for both the halves of your bag.

This is the start number of stitches that you will use for your rectangle.

Start Row 1 : With green yarn :
(Using fsc for the number of stitches you just counted) : with as many stitches as needed / counted.  Turn.

Rows 2 - 4 : (Using green yarn) : 
sc in the 1st fsc and in each fsc till end.  
Fasten off.


Finishing : 
Now all we need to do is attach this long rectangular strip to the sides of the bag only from one end to the other along the green section.

Using one of the methods below, please join the flat strip to the rounded purse.
Here are a few links on how you can finish up your bag.

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI


a)   How to line the bag : View the link below to see how to easily line your handbag. http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

b)   Easiest I-cord : Check out this video for a really easy I-cord at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI


If you want to add more authenticity, go ahead and either embroider in black seeds, OR add in some beads to mimic the seeds of the lovely watermelon.

We’re ready to show off this lovely creation too.

free crochet watermelon bag pattern

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You may want to take a look at some more beautiful and unusual bag / purse patterns.