The Grove Bag - FREE Pattern
Updated: Jul 25, 2020
I've been looking for the perfect bag to transition from summer days on the run, stuffing a million things in my purse as I race from place to place that extends right into fall/autumn effortlessly and I'm happy to say that The Grove Bag does just that.
It's monstrously huge to jam all your summer needs; sunglasses, wipes, wallets, books, water bottles, adding in wipes and masks and hand sanitizer this year. I even topped it off with some diapers and diaper cream along with my 4 year old's sunscreen, ball cap, water bottle, and snack (granola bars particularly) with room to spare. Yes this bag seems to be endless.
It looks great stuffed to the brim as it fills out the bag nicely however it also looks great minimally stocked and perfect with a jean jacket for fall fashion.
I used the trusty Lionbrand Wool Ease Thick and Quick- really now, who doesn't have some of this on hand by now? and I wanted a really great texture that pops without being an overstatement, I also wanted the bag to stand up without assistant while open for easy stuffing. Life is way to short to have to hold open a bag while you load it. I tried a few different hook sizes and settled on a 6.5 mm hook. That might be shocking to my fellow crocheters who often use Lionbrand Wool Ease Thick and Quick it's quite a small hook for such thick yarn. This hook gave a really sturdy fabric which was perfect for my 'both hands free' requirement.
I hope you find everything helpful and that you enjoy working up this design. I’m so grateful for your feedback and truly appreciate every like, share, and comment!
THE GROVE BAG - FREE CROCHET PATTERN
Save this pattern to Ravelry HERE
Materials:
· 3 balls of Lion Brand Thick and Quick (the third ball is used minimally) in Mustard
· 6.5 mm crochet hook
· Tapestry Needle
Gauge:
11 stitches and 8 rows is 4 inches
Abbreviations:
ch - Chain
hdc - half double crochet
st - stitch
sk - skip
Notes:
This is worked in the round in the back loop only leaving holes near the top for the strap to be fed through.
The wrong side of the fabric is the outer side of the purse and the side that is seen.
The strap is worked as one long piece and then fed through the openings and finally both ends seamed together for one continuous loop.
WRITTEN PATTERN
Always work in the back loop only for the entire pattern.
Bag Base Chain 2
Row 1: Work 6 hdc in second chain from the hook. Join with a slip st into the first hdc (6 sts)
Row 2: Chain 1, 2hdc in each st, join with slip st to first hdc (12 sts)
Row 3: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (18 sts)
Row 4: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next two st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (24 sts)
Row 5: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, 1hdc into next three st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (30 sts)
Row 6: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next four st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (36 sts)
Row 7: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next five st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (42 sts)
Row 8: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next six st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (48 sts)
Row 9: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next seven st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (54 sts)
Row 10: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next eight st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (60 sts)
Row 11: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next nine st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (66 sts)
Row 12: Chain 1, *2hdc in first st, hdc into next ten st* Repeat from * to * until end of round, join with slip st to first hdc (72 sts)
Continuing in back loops only
Row 13 to 25: Chain 1, hdc into each st around, join with lip st to first hdc (72 sts)
The wrong side of the fabric is the outer side of the purse. You may need to flip your purse inside out at this point if the texture is not the same as in the photos.
Row 26: Chain 1, hdc 2 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 8 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 11 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 8 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 5 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 8 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 11 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in 8 sts, chain 1, skip st, hdc in last 3 sts. (72 sts).
Row 27: Chain 1, hdc into each st around, join with lip st to first hdc (72 sts)
Cut yarn and tie in loose end.
Bag Strap:
The Strap is made using the same sized hook. Follow the video tutorial for making your strap. The same steps are continued over and over until the length of the strap is completed; when finished the strap should be 44 inches. This was my preferred length, you of course can try it out and see what you prefer, depending on where you want the bag to fall on your torso.
Before casting off the strap I fed the beginning end through the holes in the bag as shown in this photo. I then made sure it was the length I wanted before cutting the yarn.
Cut the yarn and seam the two ends of the strap together once in place. I triple seamed over my stitches on the ends of the strap to ensure it was sturdy for all the weight I would be putting in it. Hide the ends and move the strap around so the seamed area is hidden nicely on the side of the bag. It likely won't be very noticeable as is but in case your seaming is noticeable you can hide it easily.
I really hope you enjoyed this pattern and found the photos helpful! I can’t wait to see all the amazing Grove Bags you work up so please don’t forget to tag @OrchidLoop in all your pictures!
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