Berroco Summer Festival Starter Pack Montreux Crochet

Berroco Summer Festival Starter Pack: Montreux Crochet Fanny Pack

What Is Being Made

The Montreux is a structured fanny pack designed by Mel Kennelly, featuring a flat construction that is sewn together to create a functional pouch with a decorative top flap. This intermediate-level crochet project produces a finished accessory measuring approximately 9½ inches wide by 6 inches high, making it an ideal size for carrying essentials while keeping hands free.

Crochet Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental crochet techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The main body is constructed using half double crochet (hdc) stitches worked in flat rows, which creates a dense, structured fabric ideal for a wearable bag. The pattern incorporates decreasing techniques, specifically hdc2tog (half double crochet two together), to shape the flap and create a tapered closure. A specialized stitch called sc4tog (single crochet 4 together) is used during finishing, which decreases 3 stitches in one step by inserting the hook into consecutive stitches, pulling up loops, and drawing yarn through all loops at once. The construction method involves working the piece flat and then seaming side flaps to front and back panels using single crochet, which creates clean, secure edges while leaving strategic gaps for structural integrity.

Stitches and Abbreviations

• Hdc: Half double crochet—the primary stitch used throughout the body
• Hdc2tog: Half double crochet two together—a decrease method used for shaping the flap
• Sc4tog: Single crochet 4 together—a specialized decrease stitch that reduces 3 stitches, created by inserting the hook into the next stitch and pulling up a loop four times, then yarning over and pulling through all 5 loops on the hook
• Ch: Chain stitch—used for foundation and turning chains
• Sc: Single crochet—used for seaming edges during finishing

Materials: Yarn, Hooks, and Notions

This project uses Berroco Remix Chunky yarn in the colorway #9942 Lagoon, requiring 2 balls of 100 grams each. The yarn's chunky weight creates quick stitch definition and allows the piece to work up efficiently. A size 7 / 4.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge) is required for construction. The gauge is measured as 10 hdc and 9 rows equaling 4 inches in half double crochet, and the pattern notes that gauge should be checked after blocking to ensure accurate finished measurements. Additional notions include a 1½ inch wide belt buckle and a 1 inch button, which serve as functional and decorative closures for the fanny pack.

Construction Overview

The Montreux begins with a foundation chain of 27 stitches, establishing the width of the main body. Rows are worked in half double crochet, with the beginning chain-2 not counting as a stitch. The pattern creates an opening in the middle section by chaining 1 and skipping a stitch, which allows for the flap attachment point. After the main body is complete, the flap is shaped using consecutive decrease rows that reduce 2 stitches per row (one decrease at each end) until the desired tapered shape is achieved. During finishing, the side flaps are crocheted together with the front and back panels using single crochet, beginning at the bottom corners and working upward, with a strategic 1½ inch gap left approximately 3 inches from the bottom to maintain structural integrity and allow for proper closure mechanics.

Skill Level and Suitability

Rated as Intermediate, this pattern is appropriate for crocheters with foundational knowledge of basic stitches and comfortable working with decreases and seaming techniques. The straightforward flat construction and repetitive stitch patterns make it an accessible intermediate project, while the specialized finishing techniques and shaping provide skill-building opportunities.