Crochet bags are a fun project to make. Not only are they practical but they’re easy to customize in ways of colour choices and fit with the strap and size. Today I would like to introduce the Lemon Stripes bag, the latest free crochet pattern on my blog.
Learn more about this design below…
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This pattern is available for free here on my blog. An ad-free, neatly formatted, printer friendly version is also available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. Click the buttons below to take you there!
You may sell items completed from this pattern but please provide credit back to Sweet Bee Crochet and if possible, link back to the pattern location. You may not sell this written pattern or use my photos without consent. You may not use my photos to sell your completed items.
**I would love see your own creative spin on colours and how you’ve made it unique. Tag me on Instagram (@sweet_bee_crochet) to show off your finished piece!**
Notes:
– This pattern is written in US terms
– Gauge is 2×2 inches = 5 rows and 7 stitches of the lemon peel stitch
– Panels with edging measure approximately 9 inches wide and 7 inches tall
– Turning CH does not count as a stitch
– Special stitch tutorial is included within the pattern
– Due to the nature of the lemon peel stitch, your panels could pull in slightly at the top. This will be corrected once edging has been added; however, you might find a quick blocking to be beneficial before seaming the panels together
– Helpful photos can be found at the end of the pattern for optional printing
– Due to the nature of the long strap, please keep this project out of the reach of small children
Materials Needed:
– Worsted weight cotton yarn in two colours. I used Dishie Cotton which will be referred to as Colour A (approx. 66-67 yards) and Colour B (approx. 121-122 yards). The yardage for the strap measuring 37 inches long is included in the yardage. Please note making your strap wider or longer will require more yardage beyond what is mentioned in the materials
– The purple colourways used for photos within this pattern are called “Lilac Mist” and “Eggplant”
– 4mm hook (I used my Furls 4mm Streamline Teak)
– 1 button (optional) (button in photo is 28mm)
– Thread and needle to match your button for sewing
– Yarn needle
– Scissors
Stitches:
CH – Chain
SS – Slip Stitch
SC – Single Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
Special Stitch Tutorial:
Lemon Peel Stitch – In the first stitch, place 1 SC followed by 1 DC into the next stitch. Repeat across the row, starting with a SC and ending the row with a DC.
Detailed Tutorial: Click here
Pattern (make 2 panels):
With yarn colour A, CH 31 and begin row one in the second CH from your hook.
Rows 1-5:
Into the first stitch place 1 SC. Into the second stitch, place 1 DC. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn. After completing row 5, do not CH 1 and turn. Fasten off.
(30 stitches)
Row 6:
Join yarn colour B into the first stitch of the row and CH 1 (does not count as a stitch). Into the same stitch, place 1 SC followed by 1 DC in the next stitch. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn.
(30 stitches)
Rows 7-10:
Into the first stitch place 1 SC. Into the second stitch, place 1 DC. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn. After completing row 10, do not CH 1 and turn. Fasten off.
(30 stitches)
Row 11:
Join yarn colour A into the first stitch of the row and CH 1 (does not count as a stitch). Into the same stitch, place 1 SC followed by 1 DC in the next stitch. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn.
(30 stitches)
Rows 12-15:
Into the first stitch place 1 SC. Into the second stitch, place 1 DC. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn. After completing row 15, do not CH 1 and turn. Fasten off.
(30 stitches)
Row 16:
Join yarn colour B into the first stitch of the row and CH 1 (does not count as a stitch). Into the same stitch, place 1 SC followed by 1 DC in the next stitch. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn.
(30 stitches)
Rows 17-19:
Into the first stitch place 1 SC. Into the second stitch, place 1 DC. Repeat this SC, DC sequence across the row, ending with a DC. CH 1 and turn.
(30 stitches)
Row 20: (this row adds the height needed to complete the segment so all sections are equal but also acts as the beginning of the edging)
Into the first stitch place 1 SC. Into the next stitch and each of the next 28 stitches, place 1 SC. Into the last stitch of the row, place 1 SC, CH 2, 1 SC (this is your first corner).
Evenly place 1 SC across the unworked side, place 1 SC, CH 2, 1 SC into the appropriate stitch to establish the second corner.
Place 1 SC into each CH stitch across the bottom of the panel, placing 1 SC, CH 2, 1 SC into the appropriate stitch to establish the third corner. Evenly place 1 SC across the next unworked side until you reach the final corner. CH 2 and SS into the top of the beginning SC of the round to complete the fourth corner. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Seaming: (using yarn colour B)
Seam the two panels together so that upon completion, the right side of the SC edging is facing out. Don’t forget to leave the top open [photo A]. You might have a preferred method for seaming your panels, please use the way you are most comfortable with.
I placed the two panels together so that the right side of the SC edging was inside and used the “invisible join seam” [click here for tutorial]. Upon completion, I flipped it from inside out so that the right side of the SC edging was on the outside.
Strap: (using yarn colour B)
This piece is dependent on your personal preferences. You might choose to make the strap short/long or thin/wide. You might also prefer to use a pre-made strap or handle that you can find in local craft stores. There is a lot of flexibility with this portion of the project to make it unique and suited for you! If you choose the method below, a tip for straighter edges is to eliminate the turning CH 1 and jump right into the next row after turning.
Looking at your project from the side, join yarn colour B with a SS into the last SC of the panel on the right. Place 2 SS into the middle seam that joined the two panels, followed by 1 SS into the first SC of the next panel [photo B]. CH 1 and turn. Place 1 SC into each stitch across. CH 1 and turn (4 SC stitches). Repeat this row building until you achieve the length desired for your strap. Mine measured approximately 37 inches long. SS into the appropriate stitches on the other side of your bag to attach. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Button (Optional):
If you would like to add a button, find the style you would like and sew it into the top middle of the bag [photo C].
On the opposite panel in the centre of the edging at the top, join yarn colour B with a SS. The length will depend on the size of the button and the button placement. You will need a CH length that will snuggly fit under your button and reach back around to where you started. I made a CH of 12. Once you have the appropriate length, SS into the stitch beside your beginning SS. Fasten off and weave in ends [photo D].
Great job! Your Lemon Stripes Bag is complete! I hope you had fun crocheting this pattern and working with the lemon peel stitch. My testers enjoyed working on this pattern and crocheted their own wonderful versions! Check out the great colour combos they used:
For more fun and creative designs, be sure to check out the Free Pattern section of my blog. Ad free, printer friendly versions can be found in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. Happy Crocheting!
