The Roxy Bag - Crochet Pattern

**Pattern available on Etsy - click here for an ad-free, PDF formatted printable for your convenience. Thank you for supporting my blog!**

**It is also available on Ravelry!**

I'm not much of a purse type of girl. I'm more of a grab a bag and put in everything I might need type of girl because #momlife, and I'm always expected to have all the things when we are out.  I'm a fan of big spacious bags where I can throw in my wallet, phone, snacks, wipes, small toys, and sometimes even a small blanket. These bags come in handy especially during the summer time when we spend hours at the park or outdoors in nature.

I've had the same bag from H&M years ago when I used it for college and I frequently switch between the large bag and a small backpack that was easy to carry and shove stuff into while running out the door. When I browsed Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton Yarn collection, I picked a combination of colors I liked and decided it was a great palate to make a bag with!

I love the mochila bags I've seen on pinterest and was armed to give it a try, but once I got down to it, I knew it was way too much for me at the moment. I just finished a large project (my Woodland Afghan Series) and wanted some mindless crocheting. I tucked away the mochila bag design and instead, I looked for a stitch that was still edgy, fun, and looked like I put a lot of effort into it without the effort.

I still wanted to keep the overall shape of the mochila bag, so I started with a circle for the base alternating colors as I went. At this point, I knew I wanted to ditch the single crochets and find something that would work up quicker.

After doing a sample of v-stitches, I knew it was the stitch I wanted to use for my bag. This whole bag is comprised of basic stitches: single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. Once I got the base down and past the first few rows of the bag it was smooth sailing of all double crochets.  How's that for mindless crochet?

Although it has the shape of the mochila bag, it is not rigid or would stand upright on its own. It's frumpy and flowy, which I like because it forms to my side when I wear it.

I'm so happy to share with you the finished project! The colors are far from neutral and I'm loving it! Who doesn't need a little color in their life? I have not lined this bag with fabric, but I do plan on setting aside some time to do so. Do you need to line the bag? No, but if you do want to carry heavy loads, the bag will stretch. I have made market totes that are stretched out to 3x the length and wish I would've lined those.

The bottom of the bag hits right about mid-thigh for me, which is perfect! I've only carried around a small WIP so far, so I was not afraid it would stretch out. Before I really get down to using it full-time, I will line it so it doesn't stretch to below my knee. Being a short girl, I know how awful it is to have a way too long bag full of heavy stuff hit you right smack in the back of the knee while trying to juggle ALL the bags while opening the front door. (See: market totes that stretched out to 3x it's length).

Also, be mindful of how long you make your straps! They may stretch overtime so don't over-do it. I made the straps long enough to be comfortable but kept in mind it may stretch an inch or so overtime from the weight in my bag.

Okay, let's get to it!

Materials I Used:
1 skein each of I Love This Cotton in White, Black, Bright Teal, and Coral
G hook
Tapestry needle for sewing
Scissors

Notes: The base/bottom of the bag is made in rounds, increasing each round. Once the base is completed, the sides will also be worked in the round but without increases.
The chains starting the rounds do not count as a stitch.
I had just the right amount of black for this project, you may or may not need an additional skein depending on your tension. I tend to crochet loosely and had enough.
HDC increase: 2 HDC into same stitch
Starting at Row 19, the V stitch will begin. The V stitch is essentially making 2 DC in between the 2 DC in the previous round, continuing to do that all the way around.

Starting with black

Row 1: Magic ring, HDC 10 into ring, join

Row 2: Chain 1, HDC increase in each stitch, join - change to Coral

Row 3: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next stitch, repeat from* , join

Row 4: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 2 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to Bright Teal

Row 5: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 3 stitches, repeat from* , join

Row 6: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 4 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to White

Row 7: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 5 stitches, repeat from* , join

Row 8: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 6 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to Black

Row 9: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 7 stitches, repeat from* , join

Row 10: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 8 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to Coral

Row 11: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 9 stitches, repeat from* , join 

Row 12: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 10 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to Bright Teal

Row 13: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 11 stitches, repeat from* , join 

Row 14: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 12 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to White

Row 15: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 13 stitches, repeat from* , join

Row 16: Chain 1, *HDC increase, HDC in next 14 stitches, repeat from* , join - change to Black

Row 17: Chain 1, *HDC evenly around in back loops only, join

Row 18: Chain 2, *2 DC into next stitch, skip two stitches, repeat from * , join - change to Coral

Row 19: Chain 2, *2 DC in between the 2 DC in the previous round, repeat from * , join 

Row 20 -46 : Repeat Row 19 changing color after each round in the following pattern: Coral, Bright Teal, White, Black

There are three rows to finish off the top that will hold the pull string:
Chain 2, DC around evenly, join
Chain 2, *DC into next 4 stitches, Chain 2, skip next two stitches, repeat from *, join
Chain 2, HDC around evenly, join
Fasten off.

This completes the body of the bag.


Strap - worked in rows:

Start with black

Row 1: Chain 90
Row 2: SC into second chain from hook and across, turn your work
Row 3: Change color to white, SC across, turn your work
Row 4: Change color to teal, Chain 1, SC across, turn your work
Row 5: Change color to coral, Chain 1, SC across, turn your work
Row 6: Chain 1, SC across, turn your work
Row 7: Change color to teal, SC across, turn your work
Row 8: Change color to white, SC across, turn your work
Row 9: Change color to black, SC across, turn your work
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto bag.

*You can make the strap longer or shorter by adding or subtracting from the starting chain. Keep in mind, the strap may stretch a bit over time.

Sew onto bag using a tapestry needle and whip stitch. I went over the area at least 6 times to make it secure and tight.

Pull-string

Cut 6 pieces each of white, teal, and pink yarn around 3 ft long. Tie a knot twice at one end and braid the yarn together. Before you tie the other end, insert the piece into the holes at the tope of the bag, weaving in and out until you get all the way around. I made sure to start at a hole that was in between the straps. Tie two knots at the other end. Trim ends evenly.

As I stated earlier, I suggest lining this bag to keep the shape and so it does not stretch especially when carrying heavy items.


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