This month I’ve been working on getting things organized… including all my WIPs (works in progress). And there is one major type of project it seems I have the hardest time finishing – bags! I love bags and have made a bunch, so I thought I’d share some of what I think are the best knit and crochet patterns out there today. Some bags don’t require much in the way of finishing – which I love!
The Lacey V Shopping Bag is HUGE, gorgeous, and so handy! It’s a repeat of just a few rows, but it’s sure to impress!
The Hana Hana Cotton Summer Bag is one of my very favorite quick crochet mesh bags. Not too big, not too small, this Japanese pattern is charted using international symbols, and stretches to fit whatever you stuff in it!
The Starling Handbag is worked in super tight stitches that give the bag a ton of structure. You can line it of course, but you don’t have to!
The Deep Sea Flower Dice Bag is small, it’s true. And perfect for not just dice, but all those little bits that need organizing. I keep it in my purse, filled with Lego minifigs and pieces, for when I need emergency child distraction.
Inga’s Häkelbeutel is a popular bag among those who love the crochet square. This bag works up shockingly fast – I made this one just using all the last bits of kitchen cotton… and had a gift ready within 24 hours!
And then… there are the bags that I’ve lined, and been so glad I did! They were totally worth it! Some I kept, and some I gave away, but these are a few examples:
The Fat Bottom Bag is featured in Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker, which is a fantastic resource for new crocheters – and shown here in ribbon yarn, it’s a favorite purse of mine!
The Lined (and Adorable!) Cabled Change Purse is so cute, and a great intro to cabling for those who’ve never tried it! This bag gets nearly daily use here at moogly!
Square Cake is a fun bag to make, with an unusual shape. And best of all, it comes with lining instructions, so you don’t have to do the math!
The Bobbling Along Aran Tote was so fun, and a fantastic way to learn crochet cabling! Getting around to the lining took ages, but it’s a great winter bag finally finished!
And last but certainly not least… and weighing most heavily on my mind… sitting at the top of my Ravelry project page… are all the bags I haven’t finished yet! The knitting and crocheting is done, but the lining and handles lay in wait.
The Honeycomb Crochet Purse – still looking for the perfect handles for this one. Not sure this one will need a lining though.
The Nordstrom Crochet Hobo Bag – I have the handle, and the beads to string on it, but one of them needs coring to make it bigger, and of course there’s the lining.
The Brea Bag – so much cabling goodness here! I think I finally found the right handle for this one. But the shape has me nervous about the lining!
So what projects are WIP-ing you? What can you not quite bring yourself to finish? Is it bag linings, or is it second sock syndrome? Deep breaths, all together now… let’s make this the year of the FO!
Have you liked moogly on facebook yet? Check us out there for more fun links and the latest updates, and more! You can contact me via Facebook messages or at [email protected]
Erin says
Great bags. You know me, I’m a bag lover. Thanks for sharing these!
moogly says
You are very welcome!