I needed a bag quickly last week to match a dress I was wearing for a big night out. The result is the heart-shaped bag above – it was made in a rush so is not lined as I would have liked and it’s only big enough to hold the essentials but I still think it’s very cute. Here’s how I made it – there are no in progress photos so I hope my little diagrams will help to explain.
Crochet terms are English so have a look at the conversion chart if you prefer American terms (although the whole thing is worked only in English double crochet (American single crochet))
To help speed up the process I used 2 strands of DK/Worsted weight yarn together as one (I used two different shades of red for a mottled effect but you can use completely different colours or just two strands of the same colour for different effects) and a 5mm hook.
FRONT & BACK (make 2)
1. Chain 20
2. *chain 1, turn, skipping the turning chain dc each stitch of row (20 stitches)*
*repeat step 2 until you have 20 rows. Your work should now be square – if not then increase/decrease the number of rows to make your piece (vaguely) square.
3. complete 2 more rows as in step 2.
4. *turn (without a turning chain), skip the first stitch of the row and dc all the rest.*
*repeat step 4 for four rows. (ie. dc 4 rows, decreasing by 1 stitch at the beginning of each row)
5. *turn (without a turning chain), skip the first stitch of the row and dc the rest stopping 1 stitch from the end of the row.*
*repeat step 5 for four rows. (ie. dc 4 rows, decreasing by 1 stitch at the beginning and end of each row)
Pin the 2 pieces together at right angles to create a heart shape as shown in the diagram below.
Starting at the position shown dc through both layers (1 stitch in each row) down to the point of the heart, continue up the other side crocheting through both layers still until you reach the position marked END. Now following the arrows on the diagram dc through just one layer to neaten the shape. Continue around until you again reach the position marked END and fasten off.
This is the basic bag and you can adjust the next steps to suit how you would like it to close/what you want it to look like etc.
Using the same yarn I sewed just less than half way up each edge as shown in the photo above to narrow the opening and added a small press stud to the centre (a larger one would have been better but that is all I had.) You could instead add a small loop to the centre back and a button to the front.
Attach the yarn to the centre of one side of the heart and follow the instructions as shown on the diagram below. If you would like a thicker strap then just keep repeating this process. Fasten off at one end and weave in loose ends.
I finished off this bag by adding a flower made using the cardboard cog flower loom from the same yarn as the bag and with a button in the centre.
I’m sure some of you lovely people can come up with better ways of closing this bag (a zip and a lining would be very nice) but I had limited time and resources – I’ll hopefully get around to making another, improved version sometime. If you would like any steps clarifying then please leave a message or send me an email. Enjoy!
Here is a quick sketch of my thoughts on how to improve this pattern (if anyone feels like giving it a go – i don’t know how long it’ll be before I get around to it!).
1. add a lining to the front and back pieces before they are crocheted together.
2. add tabs and rings between the lining and outer pieces to more securely attach the strap.
3. instead of sewing a little way up each side and having a press stud sew up the back edge completely and just have the opening all along the front edge closed with a few decorative buttons (or a zip if you prefer). this would make the usable section of the bag bigger and be more secure.