Cool Breeze Shoulder Bag

kazily · #1 August 25, 2008, 08:47 PM

Warning: This is my first original pattern & is untested.

LOL!
Please let me know if you find any errors (I am sure there are a couple as a beginning writer).
I made this for the Crochet Olympics. Lining is optional but I lined this one.

Cool Breeze Shoulder Bag

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/kazily/mybag.jpg

Finished Size: 11" W at base x 9"H

Materials:

Main Color: 1 skein I Love This Yarn, Dark Country Blue (or any WW Yarn) 7 oz (approx 350 yds)
Small amount of CC-contrast color yarn for pocket & flap
Hook Sz. G (4.5mm)
Stitch Markers
Yarn Needle
Purse Strap

Stitches (st)
FLSC = front loop single crochet
BLSC = back loop single crochet
SC (sc) = single crochet
SC DEC (sc dec) = single crochet decrease

Main Body (make 2)

With MC Chain 51, turn.

Row 1. Ch 1, sc across chain, turn. (50)
Row 2. Ch 1, *FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st* to last st. FLSC in last st. Turn. (50)
Row 3--13 Repeat Row 2. (50)

note: From this point decreases will be made using a regular sc dec on all even numbered rows

Row 14. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (48)
Row 15. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (48)
Row 16. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (46)
Row 17. Continue in pattern, FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (46)
Row 18. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (44)
Row 19. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (44)
Row 20. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (42)
Row 21. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (42)
Row 22. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (40)
Row 23. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (40)
Row 24. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (38)
Row 25. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (38)
Row 26. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (36)
Row 27. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (36)
Row 28. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (34)
Row 29. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (34)
Row 30. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (32)
Row 31. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (32)
Row 32. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (30)
Row 33. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (30)
Row 34. sc dec over first 2 st, *FLSC in next st, BLSC in next st* to last 2 st. Sc dec. Turn. (28)
Row 35. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (28)
Row 36. Sc across to end of row. Finish off. (28)

Gusset (3 inches wide)

With MC ch 13, turn.
Row 1-110 FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (12)
At the end of row 110, finish off.

Front Pocket

With CC, chain 25, turn.
Row 1. sc across. (24)
Row 2. FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to end. Turn. (24)
Row 3-5 Continue in pattern. (24)
Row 6. sc dec, FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to last 2 stitches, sc dec over last 2. Turn. (22)
Row 7. Continue in pattern.
Row 8. sc dec, FLSC in first st, BLSC in next st, to last 2 st, sc dec in last 2. (20)
Row 9-10 Continue in pattern stitch. (20)
Row 11. Sc across. Do not finish off.

Sc around piece to 1st sc. (11 sc on side, 24 sc on bottom, 11 on opposite side. join to first sc. Finish off.

Pocket Flap

With CC, chain 21, turn.
Row 1. sc in 2nd chain from hook & across row (20)
Row 2- 7 Continue in pattern stitch.
SC around flap to create edging. Finish off.

Construction:

1. Pin gusset to one main body piece & with long piece of matching yarn & yarn needle, & sew together edges.
2. Next, pin & sew the second body piece to the gusset's other side, making sure right sides face each other.
3. Turn bag right side out. Using matching yarn & yarn needle, sew pocket centered on front of bag, leaving
top open for pocket.
4. Sew flap on to bag 3 rows above the pocket opening.
5. With long piece of matching yarn & yarn needle, attach strap to each side of the top of bag,
making sure to go through metal ring at end of purse straps multiple times. To make strap stronger
with the added weight of items inside, weave yarn through at least 2 rows of the gusset.