Cactus bag DIY


This cactus bag gives you all the fun and style of cacti without the ouch factor. A freat item por summer, create that desert vista vibe whenever you carry it.


Materials

Yarn in several colours you want to use
A 5 mm hook
Small pompom maker
Stitch markers
Darning needle

Tension


13 sts and 14 rows to measure 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) over double crochet usina a 5 mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

Measurements


Bag measures approx 38 x 38 cm excluding handles and fringe.

Charts and patterns


This bas is made up of a mani body an handles. Pattern is worked in rows throughout. For the colour work section you will need to refer to the Cactus chart. Wind oof small individual ballas of each colour before you begin. Change colour on the fonal yrh before colour change is indicateed, drop previous colour ready to pick up again on the next row.
Embellilsments are added to the cactus design before joining the handles and seaming the bag.

There is a cactus chart below


how-to-crochet-a-cactus-bag



Cactus bag


Body


Using Yarn A, 50 ch.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn (49 sts).
Row 2 (WS): ch 1 (does not count as a stitch throughout), dc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures 38 cm, ending on WS row.
Do not fasten off.

Colourwork


Refer to the cactus chart  for all colour changes.
Continue con Yarn A.
Row 1 (RS): ch 1, dc in first 6 sts, change to yarn B, dc in next 7 sts, change to yarn A, dc in next 4 stst, change to yarn C, dc in next 6 sts, change to yarn A, dc in next 11 sts, chang to yarn D, de in  next 4 sts, change to yarn A, de in final 11 sts, turn.
Row 2 (WS). ch 1, dc in fisrt 10 sts, change to yarn D, dc in next 6 sts, change to yarn A, dc in next 9 sts, change to yarn C, dc in  next 8 sts, change to yarn A, dc in  next  2 sts, change to yarn B, dc in  next  9 sts, change to yar A, dc in final 5 sts, turn.
Rows 3-40 continue in patten,  using chart for all colour changes.
Fasten off all colours except yarn A.
Row 41: ch 1, dc in  next st to end, turn.
Rep row 41 until main body mesasures 76 cm, ending on a WS row.
Fasten off.

Embellishment


Refer to the embroidery diagram below and the chain stitch embroidery diagram when workingthe embellishments.
Using yarn shown, sew a chain stitich as depicted on the chai stitch embroidery diagram.
Make 2 pmpmps usign yarn E and  1 pompon each usin yarns F and G,Sew to the body as shown on the embroidery diagram.

Handles (make 2)


Using yarn  A, ch 170
Row 1 (RS): dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn, 169 sts.
Row 2 (WS): ch 1 (does not count as a stitch throughout), dc in each st across, turn.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures 5 cm wide. 
Fasten off band weave in ends.

To make up

Using the assembly diaram, sew the handles to the WS of the body.
Fold body along the fold line (row workes in bls only), and with WS facing out, sew the side seams closed.
Turn so RS are facing out and cut a 15 cm long strand of yarns D, E, F and G. Hold four strands together and fold in half, insert hook through an unused loop from fold line of bag., place folded ends on hook and pull through st, thread talls through the folder end and pull tight to secure.

Repeat across the fold line of the bag. Weave in all remaining ends.