Fun Circles Bag

Finished size — Approx. 8½″ × 8¾″, without straps

Skill Level — Advanced Beginner

Self-striping yarn is used to make this retro bag, so each one you make may turn out differently. The easy 3-D circles are worked right into each row! How cool is that?

Materials:

2 balls (100 g/109 yd.) 100% wool hand-painted yarn

Size I/9 (5.5 mm) and size G/6 (4 mm) hooks

1 large snap for closure Yarn needle

1/3 yd. fabric for lining (optional)

Sewing needle and thread to match fabric

Used in this project: Noro Kureyon yarn, 100% wool, in color #165.

Gauge:

Body of Purse, with I hook:

7 sc = 2″

2 sc rows = 1″

1 sc Circle = 7/8″

Strap, with G hook:

6 sc = 1¼″

Special Stitch:

Circle Stitch — Ch 4, sl st in second ch from hook, 3 sc in each of next 2 ch, join with sl st to first sl st at beg, which will form a circle. Ch 1, flip circle over, and sl st to backside of first sc on circle. Sl st in same sc at base of ch 4 (sl sts are not included in st counts).

INSTRUCTIONS:

Work in rows.

Front

With I hook, ch 29.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across 28 sc, ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Row 3: Sc in first 2 sc, * work circle st, sc in next 5 sc; rep from * across row, end with sc in last sc, ch 1, turn — 6 circle sts.

Row 4: Sc in first sc, * sc in st in back of circle st, sc in next 4 sc, rep from *, end with sc in last sc, ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Rows 5–6: Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Row 7: Sc in first 4 sc, work circle st, * sc in next 5 sc, circle st; rep from *, end with sc in last 4 sc, ch 1, turn — 5 circle sts.

Row 8: Sc in first 4 sc, sc in st in back of circle st, * sc in next 4 sc, sc in back of circle st, rep from *, end with sc in last 3 sc, ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Rows 9–10: Sc in each sc, ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Rows 11–34: Rep Rows 3–10 three more times. End off.

Back

Worked the same as front, omitting circle sts. Ch 29.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1, turn — 28 sc.

Rows 2-34: Work even in sc — 28 sc. End off after row 34.

Bottom and Side Insert

Row 1: With I hook, ch 5, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1 turn — 4 sc.

Rep Row 1, working 4 sc per row until piece measures 25½″ long. End off.

Attaching Insert to Purse Body

With RS tog, pin insert to sides and bottom of front piece, one section at a time, leaving top open. With yarn needle and yarn, sew insert to front using whip st. Rep with other side of insert and back piece. Turn bag RS out.

Strap

Crochet tightly for firmness. With G hook, ch 3.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in last ch, ch 1, turn — 2 sc.

Cont working sc rows until strap is 29″ long. End off. Attach ends of strap to each side at top of bag with yarn needle and yarn using whip st.

Optional Lining: Cut fabric into two pieces, each measuring 9½″ (height) × 10½″ (width). With RS tog, machine or hand sew 1/3″ seams on bottom and two sides, leaving opening at top of short end. Put lining (WS tog) inside bag to make sure it fits. Take out and fold top part of lining over approx. 1″. Place inside bag and make adjustments as needed. Pin lining to top edge, and sew to purse with needle and thread. Sew each side of snap to inside of bag at top center for closure.

Weave in ends. If you want the circles to lie flat, sew them down with needle and thread.

Words of Encouragement

If you want to succeed at anything, start having some fun. Dale Carnegie said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” I can relate to that, because I never in a million years thought I could get paid for something that I absolutely love to do! My first two years of designing have been wonderful, and I think one reason is because I am having a lot of fun!