When I started crocheting, I really wanted some quick projects that would enable me to practice the basic crochet stitches and give me a usable product at the end of it. I struggled to find any that would allow me just get on and do it without having to learn another crochet technique to complete it. I also couldn’t find any that gave three different projects in the same place that covered UK double (US single), UK htr (US half double) and UK tr (US double) crochet stitches. I was quite disappointed because I just wanted inspiration to crochet a project in each of the three stitches so I could practice them and get used to how they work up. I didn’t want to have to go and watch more videos nor read more descriptions in a book just to practice a stitch. This was the reason for my Crochet Belt Bag design and creation. It was something simple, straight forward and gave me a physical, usable product at the end of it. This got me thinking recently and so I decided to create 3 projects that each covered the 3 basic crochet stitches, and they can be made with just 2 x 100g balls of chunky yarn to complete ALL 3 PROJECTS! You can even use Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky.

The first I started with, for UK Double Crochet/dc (US Single Crochet/sc), was a small bag/purse. These are great for children because they are the perfect size for them to carry over their shoulder and put fun stuff in, like small toys, tissues, play makeup, etc. I remember loving these as a child carrying around my toys or toy money. I thought they were great. I worked this in straight forward rows until I reached the size I wanted. I then folded the piece over (at approx row 20) leaving eight rows for the flap and crocheted the sides together, which gave it a lovely, neat edging. I also worked this all the way round the edge of the flap. For the strap, I worked in UK dc (US sc) in rows containing two stitches, until I reached 100 rows. I sewed this onto the back of the bag. For the fastener, I used a large popper so little hands could open and close it easily.

The second bag, worked in UK Half Treble Crochet/htr (US Half Double Crochet/hdc), was a clutch bag. Again, I worked this in rows and UK htr (US hdc) the sides together. I sewed a heart button on and attache a piece of yarn to tie round the button to close the bag.

The third bag, worked in UK Treble Crochet/tr (US Double Crochet/dc), was a mini backpack. I also worked this back in rows for simplicity. However, I sewed the sides together, holding the right sides together, then turned it the right way out. I also created holes near the top by skipping stitches and chaining 1. This was to enable the strap to be thread round. I was originally going to make a separate draw cord and separate straps, but the whole point of these projects was to make it as simple as possible. Therefore, I decided to have the straps as the draw cord as well. For the strap, I chained 202 and worked a UK tr (US dc) into each chain. Then I thread this through the holes at the top of the bag and sewed the ends onto the bottom of the bag.

Finished Sizes:
Small Bag/Purse - 13cm (5˝) by 10cm (4˝) - strap - 70cm (27.5˝)
Clutch - 22cm (8.6˝) by 13 cm (5˝)
Mini Rucksack - 16cm (6.2˝) by 20cm (7.8˝) - strap - 200cm (78.7˝)

The FREE pattern is available on my blog - http://bobbleandknit.com/crochetstarterprojects.html