While I learned to crochet with my grandmother when I was a small child, I have not picked up a hook more than once or twice in many years. I am definitely a beginner or novice but I’m enjoying what I’m learning and creating. It is fun to see something grow into something usable or a gift.
Lately, I’ve been looking for market bag patterns. Bags have so many uses and with the focus on being “green”, I think that these can come in handy at the grocery or another market. Bags are fun as they are generally quite a quick creation and have a purpose. I also like that there are patterns out there where you can start with a round/circle bottom or with a rectangle like this one.
This is a project I finished last week – a crochet tote/market bag using the Citrus Twist Market Bag pattern by Tamara Kelly of MooglyBlog.com. I used Sugar-n-Cream yarn in tangerine and coral seas ombre. The pattern is easy to follow and Tamara’s tutorials are always great! My bag (not including handles) measures around 14.5 inches wide by 15 inches long. The body of the bag is a two-row repeat but the bottom is double crochet and starts with a foundation double crochet – a first for me! The pattern also includes tips on making the handles longer or shorter as well as how to adjust the size of the overall bag. Tamara’s version was very colorful using four different colors and her tutorial helps you learn to manage those. I decided to use the yarn I already had in my stash. I opted to use a skein of the tangerine, then thrown in a skein of the ombre finishing off the top and handles with the tangerine. I then added an additional row with the ombre around the handles and inside them too! While my yarn choices don’t show off the stitch as well as Tamara’s, I am very happy with it.
Eclectic Elucidation 