So recently I had the opportunity to play with some lovely yarn from Medieval Colours (which I blogged about here) and I promised you a lovely new free pattern didn’t I…So without further ado let me introduce the exceptionally versatile Renaissance Pouch Bag!

Everyone loves a bag right! Inspired by Medieval designs the Renaissance Pouch Bag provides a fuss free, hands free answer to carrying your essentials with you when you are out and about. This small cross body bag has enough room to fit in your keys, phone and money which makes it a perfect addition to any occasion from festivals, to brunch, to date night.

Matching the bag to your outfit can now be a breeze! The Renaissance Pouch bag is a real wear-with-everything piece. Experiment with a plain style for that easy minimalist look or add pops of colours to create a more striking design. Make it for you or make it for a little one by just altering the strap length. 

The bag does not require advance skills to make so it perfect for a beginner – advanced crocheters can enjoy an easy to make pattern with a fun texture!

Add the Renaissance Pouch Bag to your Favourites and Ravelry Queue where you can also get an no-ad PDF version of just the pattern for only £1.00 / $1.25  or for a print friendly version of this page please scroll to the bottom of this post and click on the Print & PDF button. 

Pattern:

Yarn: 

• 60g of (Worsted) Weight Yarn / Weight #4

Hook: 5 mm / US size H

Size: 

• 16.5cm long x 12.7cm wide
• (6.5” long x 5” wide)
• 76.2cm (30”) long including handle

Establishing the correct gauge is not critical to this pattern. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.

You will also need:

• 2.5cm (1”) button
• Yarn needle

Abbreviations: 

• st(s) = stitch(es)
• sp = space
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch(s) = chain  
• dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
• htr/hdc = UK half treble / US half double crochet
• htr/hdc2tog = UK half treble / US half   double crochet 2 sts together
• Alt htr / Alt hdc = UK Alternating half treble / US Alternating half double crochet – see special stitches note

Stitch Guidance:

• Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
• UK Double Crochet/US Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
• UK Half Double Treble / US Half Double  Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
• UK Half Double Treble / US Half Double  Crochet (htr/hdc2tog): Yarn over, insert hook into st, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, insert hook into next st, pull up a loop, (five loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all five loops on hook.

Special Stitch:

Alternating Half Double Treble / Alternating Half Double Crochet (Alt htr/Alt hdc): This stitch is worked exactly like a normal htr/hdc but you work the stitches in the back and front loops; alternating from one to the other as you work.

Pattern:

Note: The ch 1 at the start of each rnd does not count as a st

Rnd 1: Either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 3 and sl st to the first ch to form a ring, ch1 then crochet 10 htr/ Alt hdc into the ring, sl st to the top of the first st to join; use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (10 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch1, then crochet 2 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into each st around, sl st to the top of the first st to join (20 sts).

Rnd 3: Ch1, then crochet * 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc in the next st, 2 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next st *, repeat from * to * in each st around until the end, sl st to the top of the first st to join (30 sts).

Rnd 4: Ch1, then crochet * 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc in the next 2 sts, 2 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next st*, repeat from * to * in each st around until the end, sl st to the top of the first st to join (40 sts).

Rnd 5 –17: Ch1, then crochet 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc in each st around until the end, sl st to the top of the first st to join on each rnd. Do not finish off, go straight to making the flap (40 sts).

Making the flap:

Note: From this point onwards you will be  working back and forth in rows.

Row 1-3: Ch 1, then crochet 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next 20 sts, turn (20 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, htr/hdc2tog, then crochet 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next 16 sts, htr/hdc2tog in the last 2 sts, turn (18 sts)

Row 5: Ch 1, htr/hdc2tog, then crochet 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next 14 sts, htr/hdc2tog in the last 2 sts, turn (16 sts)

Row 6: Ch 1, htr/hdc2tog, then crochet 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next 12 sts, htr/hdc2tog in the last 2 sts, turn (14 sts)

Row 7: Ch 1, htr/hdc2tog, then crochet 1 Alt htr/ Alt hdc into the next 10 sts, htr/hdc2tog in the last 2 sts, turn. Do not finish off, go straight to making the button hole (12 sts)

Button Hole:

Sl st in the front loop in the next 5 sts, sl st in both loops in the next st, ch 6, sl st in both loops in the next st, sl st in the front loop in the next 5 sts.

Next single crochet neatly down the edge of the flap and around the whole pouch opening; when you come to the top of row 7 you should sl st in each st. End with a sl st to your first sl st to fasten off and weave in any ends.

Handle:

Note: The bag is designed to be worn diagonally across your body but you can make the handle any size you want just by adjust the number of chs you make for the handle length.

• For a child size bag make three lengths of 150 chs, finish off and weave in ends.
• For a adult size bag make three lengths of 200 chs, finish off and weave in ends.

Taking the three lengths of chain plait / braid them together to form a sturdy handle;

• To plait / braid the handle cross the right section over the top of the middle section, now it should look like the right section is the middle section and the middle section is the right section.
• Next, cross the left section over the new middle section. They should now be switched, as they were with the previous section.
• Cross the right and left sections over the centre, repeating these steps to make the plait / braid.

Secure each end of your handle to each side of your bag using a yarn needle and some of your yarn. 

Close the flap to gauge where to position your  button, once you are happy with were it should be sew your button into place.

And that’s it!

Thank you to Medieval Colours for providing the yarn for this pattern. 

I can’t wait to see the beautiful bags you create! Make sure you link me your finished projects on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, Facebook page or Facebook group, Twitter,  Pinterest and Instagram! 

Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx