Free-bee Crochet Pattern | Bee-utiful Clutch Bag

Posted in Crochet, Free Patterns, Stitches by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Hey folks, hope you are well in your part of the world. I’ve got a lovely free-bee for you to enjoy today! Allow me to introduce the Bee-utiful Clutch bag – a small bag with big textured personality!

The bag uses a stitch that I’ve used before; on the Bee Keeper block in the Stitch Story CAL. At the time I thought the stitch pattern was so effective with creating such a beautiful texture that knew I wanted to use it again.

Fast forward three years or so to when I came across some yellow Anchor Creativa Fino in my stash. The stitch idea reignited itself as I thought I would make the bee themed clutch bag idea I’d got rumbling around in my head.

Super simple to make and with many practical uses for a clutch bag or makeup bag; this pattern is perfect for beginners, as it only uses simple stitches. I used some bee fabric to line mine, to finish off the inside, but with this stitch pattern you could probably get away with not lining it if you aren’t a fan of sewing.

The following Bee-utiful Clutch Bag is free here on the blog or you can make a beeline for the pattern in your favourite pattern stores where you can pick up a PDF of the pattern for a nominal price (links below).

The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology via the PDF download; the pattern below is written just in UK terms. But you can view a handy conversion chart here on the blog.

Bee-utiful Clutch Bag

MATERIALS

Yarn Required: 100g of Yellow

Yarn used: Anchor Creativa Fino used in photos;

(Shade: #00306)

About the yarn: 4ply / Fingering Weight; 125m per 50g ball, 100% Cotton

Hook Size: 3mm (US size D/3)

Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size will be different.

You will also need:

· A yarn needle

· Stitch Markers

· 2cm (0.8”) Button

· Optional: Facing and material for lining your bag

Finished Size: 19cm (7.4 inches) wide x 12cm (4.7 inches) high

Gauge: 6sts = 2.5cm (1”)

Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project but if your gauge does not match the gauge stated then your finished item will be a different size.

STITCH GUIDANCE

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.

Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.

Double Crochet 2 together (dc2tog): Invisible double crochet decrease method: Invisible decreasing is a method of removing stitches to shape your fabric without gaps. Insert hook in the FRONT LOOP ONLY of the first stitch indicated and pull up a loop [two loops on hook], insert hook in the FRONT LOOP ONLY of the next st, pull up a loop [three loops on hook], yarn over, pull through three loops on hook; decrease made.

Half Treble (htr): 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.

PATTERN NOTES

Working in the Back Loop Only: If you hold your piece of crochet in front of you with the Vs of the stitch on top, the part of the V closest to you is the front loop. The part of the V farther away from you on the opposite side is the back loop. When a pattern asks you to crochet into the back loop, insert your hook into the relevant loop and crochet as instructed.

Note: The ch1 at the beginning of a row, count as a st

PATTERN

Main Body of Clutch:

Tip 1: If you struggle with twisting the row 1 try adding a row of dc as row 1, then work row 1 as row 2 and so on.

Tip 2: You might also find using stitch markers (or alternatives) to mark each row or where your last sl st, of each set of 5, helpful for this block.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 51, sl st into the 2nd ch from the hook and, sl st in the next 4sts * htr in the next 5 sts, sl st in the next 5 sts * repeat from * to * until the end of the row, turn (50 sts)

Note: From this point onwards work rows in the back loops only.

Row 2 (WS) : Ch1 *5 sl st in 5 htr then 5htr in 5 sl st * repeat from * to * until the end of the row, turn.

Row 3: (RS) Ch1, * 5 htr in 5 htr then 5 sl st in 5sl st * repeat from * to * until the end of the row, turn.

Row 4: (WS) Ch1, * 5 htr in 5 sl st then 5 sl st in 5 htr * repeat from * to * until the end of the row, turn.

Row 5: Ch1, 5 sl st in 5 htr then 5htr in 5 sl st * repeat from * to * until the end of the row, turn.

Row 6-52: Repeat rows 2-5 thirteen times

From this point onwards you will begin shaping the clutch flap;

Row 53: Ch1; dc2tog, 1dc in 46sts, dc2tog, turn. 48sts

Row 54: Ch1; dc2tog, 1dc in 44sts, dc2tog, turn. 46sts

Row 55: Ch1; dc2tog, 1dc in 42sts, dc2tog, turn. 44sts

Rows 57 – 71: Continue decreasing on each end until you have 14sts left.

Row 72: Ch1; dc2tog, 1dc in 3sts, ch4, miss 4sts, 1dc in 3sts, dc2tog, turn. 12sts

Row 73: Ch1; dc2tog, 1dc in 3sts, 1dc in each of the ch4 sts, 1dc in 3sts, dc2tog, turn. 10sts

Row 74: Ch1; dc2tog, 1dc in 6sts, dc2tog, turn, fasten off and weave in ends. 8sts

MAKING UP:

· Fold the bag in half, leaving the gap at the top open with the flap. and seam both sides together on the wrong side.

· Turn your bag right side round and add your button to the body of the bag opposite the open button hole

· Optional: create a lining for your bag

And that’s it! Get ready for taking it out and about and bee-witching all who see your bee-utiful new clutch bag.

If you hook up the Bee-utiful Clutch Bag I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram using the hashtags #kcacouk and #proud2craft or #anchoryarns (so the folks at Anchor Yarns can see) or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected, thank you for your support.

26May2021

I Like Crochet Magazine | Caicos Raffia Purse

Posted in Crochet, Inspiration, Magazine, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

The June 2021 issue of I Like Crochet magazine is out now to help you prepare, get inspired and enjoy everything the summer weather has to offer (and to look good while doing it).

I’ve got two patterns in this latest edition; I spoke about the first pattern, called the Anchor Cove Shawl, in a previous post (read that here), and now it’s time for pattern number two – may I present the Caicos Raffia Purse.

Named after the Caicos Islands, where turquoise waters and white sand beaches are considered one of the Caribbean’s best kept secret, this is a bag designed especially for summer!

The easily crafted raffia purse features popcorn stitches for added texture and a metal closure to keep your valuables safe and secure – team it with a summer dress and sandals for that perfect beach chic look!

You might have seen raffia yarn before, it’s a fine paper like yarn made from wood pulp and it’s really interesting to crochet with, it makes great bags and hats and is lovely and lightweight. As a yarn it gives off a very beachy vibe which makes it perfect for summer projects.

I used just one ball of Wool and the Gang Ra Ra Raffia (100% Paper); [250 meters] / 100 grams) for this project; in Desert Palm. The great thing about this yarn, that makes it perfect for a beach bag, is that it’s water-repellent so it dries fast if it gets splashed.

I used a 4.5mm hook (US size 7) with the raffia yarn, and for the bag closures I used a Prym Tuck Lock, which is a great DIY bag accessory as you just sew it onto the crocheted fabric (I’ve used one before for my Bramble Saddle Bag), and then I used some D rings and a brown detachable bag strap that I picked up from Amazon.

The Caicos Raffia Purse is a great pattern for beginners as it only uses simply stitches, it might feel a bit unusual to crochet with raffia yarn at first, but if you just treat it as you would normal yarn you will soon be on your way!

You could line the bag, for a professional looking finish, but I used a smaller hook on purpose so that the end result would be a closely woven fabric that wouldn’t need lining.

🏖️ SAVE CAICOS RAFFIA PURSE ON RAVELRY 🏖️

If you haven’t heard of I Like Crochet magazine before it’s a US bi-monthly digital magazine which is published by the creators of AllFreeCrochet.com. With it being a US publication patterns are written using US crochet terminology – if you are not sure how that differs you may find my post British vs. American Crochet Terms: What’s the difference? of use.

As well as my shawl and bag the June 2021 edition features loads of seasonal patterns and a range of interesting articles. If you SUBSCRIBE you can get the magazine straight to your desktop or iPad as well as access to lots of other extra crochet bonus material.

If the magazine is something that interests you I Like Crochet currently have a special offer available to new members of the all-access Gold Club.

You can get 75% off the regular price of a one-year membership and receive a full year of the digital I Like Crochet Magazine, instant access to their pattern collections (that includes never-before-seen patterns!), and get FREE access to their pattern library that includes every single issue that they have ever published! (That’s 7 years of crochet with more than 45 issues and 700+ designer patterns… for free!) Plus, subscribers who join now will also receive two FREE streaming crochet videos: Back to Basics: 11 Essential Techniques and Stitches for Every Crocheter and Crochet Secrets Revealed: 12 Tutorials by Michael Sellick.

If you hook up the Cacios Raffia Purse I hope you’ll share your projects with me by linking your projects on your favourite social media sites: Instagram, Ravelry, my Facebook page or Facebook group and Pinterest.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected. You can read more about my affiliate links here.

1Jun2018

Pattern Release & Sale | A Purse for Ewe

Posted in Crochet, For Baby, For Child, Independent Design, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So when we were developing DearEwe.com we decided to develop a series of designs based on our lovable Dear Ewe illustrated character (who features on some of our products). The first design, Little Ewe, I told you about the other day, and today I’m going to tell you about the other fun design in this series. Introducing a Purse for Ewe crochet pattern (ta-dah!)

This cute curvy shaped sheep purse is just perfect to store your essentials: money, keys and lip balm. Also a great purse to save money for more yarn!

As with Little Ewe for this pattern I used Scheepjes Stone Washed for that lovely washed out look of the yarn it makes the best sheep patterns!

The Purse for Ewe crochet pattern is aimed at intermediate crocheters though advanced beginners could also probably handle it without problems. There are no tricky stitches are used in the design just a UK double crochet / US single crochets and a Puff stitch; but you will find full written instructions for both of these at the start of the pattern.

Purse for Ewe is made with a 3mm crochet hook (US D/3 will do) or any other size which allows you to obtain desired gauge. It’s optional as to whether you decide to line your purse or not, but some basic instructions on how you can do this have been included.

The Purse for Ewe pattern is in the patterns part of the website where crafters can choose to ‘make’ a variety of patterns from different designers using a diverse range of yarns.

Pattern Links 🎉

All of the Dear Ewe patterns are now available to add to your favourites on Ravelry and you can get 10% discount off the pattern price on the website (with coupon code: KCACOUK4EWE) until 30 June 2018 after that time the pattern will revert to full price.

Remember to share any Purse for Ewe project’s to be in with a chance to win a free pattern if you are featured in my monthly newsletter.

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