Materials & Tools
- Yarn: Worsted or DK weight yarn (cotton or acrylic blend) in primary colors: Red, Green, Cream/Beige.
- Hook: Crochet hook appropriate for your yarn weight (e.g., 3.5mm or 4.0mm).
- Notions: Scissors, yarn needle, small safety eyes (for the reindeer/Santa), stuffing (for 3D appliqués).
II. The Pouch Structure (Base Bag)
The bags are worked in the round from the bottom up. We will use Single Crochet (SC) for a dense fabric.
1. Creating the Base (Rectangle/Square Shape):
- Foundation Chain (Row 1): Chain a length slightly shorter than your desired bag width (e.g., Ch 15).
- Row 2: SC in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. In the last chain, work 3 SC. (This turns the corner). Continue working SC along the other side of the starting chain. SC 2 in the last stitch. Join with a Slip Stitch (SL ST) to the first SC.
- Rounds 3 – 5 (Shaping): Continue working SC in the round, increasing in the corners as necessary to keep the bottom flat and square/rectangular. You should be working around a flat oval that becomes a rectangle.
2. Building the Sides (Body of the Bag):
- Round 6 (Defining the Walls): SL ST in the next 2 stitches. Ch 1, then work a round of SC in the back loop only (BLO) around the entire perimeter. This creates a neat fold line and defines the side walls. Join with a SL ST.
- Rounds 7 – 18 (Height): Ch 1, SC in every stitch around (working through both loops now). Continue until the bag reaches your desired height.
3. The Drawstring Top (The Holes):
- Round 19 (Drawstring Holes): Ch 1, SC in the next 2 stitches, then (Ch 2, Skip 2 stitches, SC in the next 2 stitches). Repeat the bracketed instruction around the top of the bag. Join with a SL ST.
- Round 20 (Edging): Ch 1, SC in every SC and SC in each chain space around. Join and fasten off. For a decorative edge like the one on the red bag, add a row of contrasting color in SC or the Crab Stitch (Reverse SC).
III. The Drawstring (Closing Cord)
- Chain Cord: Chain a long string (about 3 times the width of the bag).
- Weave: Use a yarn needle to weave the cord in and out through the hole spaces (Round 19). Tie the ends in a knot.
- Pom-Poms: Attach small, handmade pom-poms or two small crochet balls (like those on the green bag) to the ends of the cord.
IV. The Appliqués (Decoration)
The 3D decorations are made separately using Amigurumi techniques and sewn onto the finished bag.
- Santa Head: A small white circle (SC in the round) for the face/beard, with red semi-circles for the hat.
- Christmas Tree: Made by chaining, turning, and increasing/decreasing rows of SC or DC to form a triangle shape.
- Reindeer/Gingerbread Man: Made from small, simple shapes (circles, ovals, horns) using SC in the round, then flattened and sewn on.
Key Technique: Use felt, tiny safety eyes, and embroidery thread to add facial and structural details to the appliqués before securely sewing them onto the bag front.
