Cascade Yarns DK Crocheted Bag Pattern

Cascade Yarns DK Crocheted Bag

What Is Being Made

This is a structured crocheted bag designed by Gloria Tracy, featuring a finished size of 7 ½" wide by 6" deep. The bag functions as a small drawstring pouch with a folding flap closure and twisted cord drawstrings. It is constructed from a single piece of crocheted fabric that is folded and seamed to create the finished form, making it an efficient one-piece construction project suitable for intermediate crocheters.

Techniques Used

The bag employs several key crochet techniques:

• Flat construction: The entire bag is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, which simplifies shaping and seaming
• Folding and assembly: After crocheting, the flat piece is folded 6" up from the beginning edge to create the bag body, then side seams are sewn, leaving 2" free at the top for the front flap
• Twisted cording: Drawstrings are created using a specialized technique involving six 90" lengths of yarn twisted together using an electric mixer, then folded to create a doubled cord
• Finishing details: The flap hem is created by folding under 1" and slip stitching to the inside, and hardware (buttons and hook-and-eye closure) is sewn in place for functional closure

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a simple but effective stitch pattern:

• Chain (Ch): Used for the foundation chain of 43 stitches
• Half Double Crochet (Hdc): The primary stitch worked in alternation with slip stitches to create the textured pattern
• Slip Stitch (Sl st): Worked alternately with half double crochet stitches to create a distinctive pattern texture, and used for joining

The pattern stitch is straightforward: half double crochet alternates with slip stitch across each row. This simple two-stitch pattern is repeated until the piece measures 14" from the beginning, creating a fabric with visual texture and moderate drape suitable for a small accessory bag.

Materials

The bag is made from Cascade Yarns® Ultra Pima, a premium yarn composed of 100% Pima cotton. One hank of color #3719 (Buff) is required, providing 220 yards (200 meters) of yarn weight. Pima cotton is known for its softness, durability, and subtle sheen, making it an excellent choice for a refined accessory bag.

Additional materials include a size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook for working the main fabric. The gauge is 22 stitches over 4" when worked in the pattern stitch, which helps ensure the bag achieves its intended finished dimensions.

Finishing materials include two large paper clips (used to secure yarn ends to an electric mixer during the twisted cording process), two 1" jewel buttons for decorative closure, and one large hook-and-eye set for functional fastening of the flap. An electric hand mixer is required to create the twisted cording drawstrings efficiently.