A Perrrrfectly Wonderful Tapestry Crochet Kitty Bag

The base of this cute little bag is crocheted first, then since the diameter of the base is not increased, the edges spiral upwards to form the sides. For more information about tapestry crochet, please look at www.tapestrycrochet.com Hook: steel crochet hook size 0 or aluminum hook size D/3 (3.25 mm.) or a smaller hook size if using a thinner fiber Gauge: 7 stitches = 1 inch; 6 rows + 1 inch (different with another fiber) Size: 6 1/4" wide by 9 1/4" high (without strap) (different with another fiber) Materials used: Two contrasting colors of any thread or yarn. The Gypsy thread used (50 gram / 82 yard per skein) is no longer available, but any yarn or thread could be substituted; 4 1/2" x 5/8" Velcro; transparent thread; sewing needle.

Round 1: Starting with the denim thread, make a slip knot (leaving a 5-inch tail), then chain 39 stitches. Starting with the second chain, SC 37 stitches. SC 4 stitches into the last chain for a total of 41 stitches. Continue to SC using the new top of the chain until you come around to the first stitch, carrying the tail as you go. SC 3 stitches into the last stitch. This round should have a total of 80 stitches. This piece is worked as a spiral, not in concentric rings, so do not turn or join.

Round 2: Rounds 2 through 13 correspond to the illustrated motif (read from right to left and bottom to top). Start to carry the natural thread in this round. SC around without any increases, carrying the natural thread. You will begin to tapestry crochet the figure motif in the next round. To do a tapestry crochet (TC) stitch (please scroll down on the linked page), threads are switched while 2 loops are still on the hook; so yarn over with natural and pull it through the denim loops of the last stitch of this round to prepare for the first TC stitch of the next round. From now on, the bag should always have 80 stitches at the end of every round.

Round 3: Crochet the motif as follows: TC 2 natural, 4 denim, 2 natural, then 2 denim stitches. Repeat this sequence 7 more times.

Round 4: TC 1 denim, 2 natural, 4 denim, 2 natural, then 1 denim stitch. Repeat around.

Round 5: TC 2 denim, 2 natural, 4 denim, then 2 natural stitches. Repeat around.

Rounds 6 - 8: TC 3 denim, then 7 natural stitches. Repeat around.

Round 9: TC 3 denim, 2 natural, 4 denim, then 1 natural stitch. Repeat around.

Round 10: TC 2 denim, 4 natural, 3 denim, then 1 natural stitch. Repeat around.

Round 11: TC 2 denim, 1 natural, 1 denim, 1 natural, 1 denim, 1 natural, 2 denim, then 1 natural stitch. Repeat around.

Round 12: TC 2 denim, 5 natural, 2 denim, then 1 natural stitch. Repeat around.

Round 13: TC 3 denim, 1 natural, 2 denim, 1 natural, then 3 denim stitches. Repeat around.

Repeat rounds 2 through 13 three more times.

Finishing:

Round A: Crochet 14 (or the number necessary to bring the stitch to the edge of the bag) denim stitches while carrying the natural. Chain 100 stitches with the denim thread (that is still attached to the bag). For a longer or shorter strap, increase or decrease at this point. Insert the hook into the next stitch, first making sure that the chain is not twisted.

Rounds B & C: Crochet around the top of the bag with the denim thread while carrying the natural. Continue to SC onto the chain, while carrying the natural thread.

Round D: SC around the top of the bag and the strap with the denim and natural threads joined together , slip stitch at the end of the round, cut the threads (leaving 6 inch tails) then yarn over and pull the threads all the way through the loop. Work in the ends for 2 inches to secure them, then trim them off.

Round E: Turn over the strap. Insert the hook into the stitch on top of the bag between the beginning and end of the strap. Pull through a loop of denim and natural (joined together), leaving 2 inch tails hanging out of the back. Chain 1, then crochet around the strap, inserting the hook into the bottom loops of the chain, while carrying the tail. At the end of the round, slip stitch, cut the threads (leaving 6 inch tails) then yarn over and pull them all the way through the loop. Work in the ends for 2 inches to secure them, trim them off, then block the bag with a steam iron. Sew Velcro 1/2 inch below the inside top edge of the bag with transparent thread.

© Carol Ventura 2005 This project was designed for Crochet Partners. You have my permission to copy these instructions and use them to teach others, on the condition that you do not change the title and that you do not recopyright them as your own instructions!

For more free tapestry crochet patterns, please look at my Tapestry Crochet web page