Make this unique designer bag in Tunisian crochet. This bag is made in three different Tunisian crochet stitches, in the short row technique, for its unique look.
After crocheting, the bag is felted, giving it extra strength. Tunisian crochet is the best medium I have found for felting and produces beautiful results!
Tunisian Crescent Bag
designed by Kim Guzman © Mar. 2015
Please read my Terms of Use
Technique: Tunisian Crochet
German translation is available HERE.
Finished Size
approx. 17” across and 16” tall (not including handle)
Materials
Cascade 220 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 100 g/220 yds per skein: 3 skeins #9421 Blue Hawaii (A), 1 skein #2404 Atlantic (B)
Suggested hook size: Size 6.5mm [US K-10 ½] 14” Tunisian Afghan Hook (a 22” flexible afghan hook is helpful) and Size 6.5mm [US K-10 ½] regular crochet hook
Needle (for weaving ends)
Unfelted Gauge
With afghan hook in tks, 14 sts for 13 rows equals 4”
This project is felted. If you don’t want to felt it, you will need to work at a tight gauge throughout.
Special Stitches
Video Support available for Tunisian Crochet Stitches in both right- and left-handed versions on my YouTube channel here.
Tunisian reverse stitch (trs): With hook behind work, insert hook from side to side under back vertical bar, always keeping hook to back of work, yo, draw up a lp.
Tunisian knit stitch (tks): Insert hook between front and back vertical bars coming out at back of work, yo, draw up a lp.
Tunisian bobble stitch (tbs): Yo, insert hook into st as for tks, yo, draw up a lp, yo, draw through 2 lps, [yo, insert hook into same st as for tks, yo, draw up a lp, yo, draw through 2 lps ] 3 times, yo, draw through 4 lps, yo, draw through 1 lp.
Additional Abbreviations
beg=beginning; ch=chain; lp(s)=loop(s); rem=remaining; rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sl=slip; st(s)=stitch(es); yo=yarn
Pattern Note
Unless instructed otherwise, close all rows as follows: Yo, draw through 1 lp, [yo, draw through 2 lps] across (1 lp rem on hook counts as first lp of next row throughout).
Instructions
Front Side of Bag
Row 1: With A and afghan hook, ch 27, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up a lp, [insert hook in next ch, yo, draw up a lp] across to end—27 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, 24 trs—25 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 3: Sk first vertical bar, 22 tks—23 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 4: Sk first vertical bar, 20 tks—21 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 5: Sk first vertical bar, 11 tks, tbs, 6 tks—19 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 6: Sk first vertical bar, 8 tks, tbs, 7 tks—17 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 7: Sk first vertical bar, 5 tks, tbs, 8 tks—15 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 8: Sk first vertical bar, 2 tks, tbs, 9 tks—13 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 9: Sk first vertical bar, 10 tks—11 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 10: Sk first vertical bar, 8 tks—9 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 11: Sk first vertical bar, 6 tks—7 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 12: Sk first vertical bar, 4 tks—5 lps on hook. Close normally.
Row 13: Sk first vertical bar, 4 tks, tks in each of 2 skipped sts from rows 2-12 below—27 lps on hook. Close normally.
Rows 14-145: Rep rows 2-13 consecutively.
Rows 146-156: Rep rows 2-12 consecutively.
Row 157: Sk first vertical bar, working as for trs, sl st in each of 4 sts and in each of 2 skipped sts from rows 146-156 below, fasten off.
Row 158: Join A with sl st to begin working across last row, ch 1 (counts as first lp), draw up 26 lps evenly across, draw up 12 lps in half circle formed at sides of rows, draw up 27 lps in unworked lps of beg ch—66 lps on hook. Yo, draw through 1 lp, [yo, draw through 2 lps] 26 times, yo, draw through 13 lps simultaneously (joining 12 lps together), [yo, draw through 2 lps] 27 times.
Row 159: Sk first vertical bar, 26 trs, insert hook in horizontal bar joining 12 lps in row below, yo, draw up a lp, 27 trs—55 lps on hook. Yo, draw through 1 lp, [yo, draw through 2 lps] 25 times, yo, draw through 4 lps simultaneously, [yo, draw through 2 lps] 26 times.
Row 160: Sk first vertical bar, working as for trs, sl st across each rem st, skipping the horizontal bar joining 3 lps in row below, fasten off.
Rep Rows 1-160 for Back Side of Bag.
Handle
Row 1: With B and afghan hook, ch 210, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, draw up a lp, [insert hook in next ch, yo, draw up a lp] across to end—210 lps on hook. Close normally.
Rows 2-6: Sk first vertical bar, 209 tks—210 lps on hook. Close normally.
The following row will join the Foundation Row to Row 6, allowing the piece to curl up normally so that ridges on the back side of the work are on the Right Side of the tube.
Row 7: Sk first vertical bar of Row 1 and Row 6, inserting hook under next unused lp of ch of Row 1 and through next st of Row 6 as for tks, work sl st across entire piece, fasten off.
Using yarn needle and a strand of B, loosely weave yarn through the short end of tube and cinch together gently, weave in all ends. Rep for opposite end of tube.
Assembly
Holding both sides of bag together, with WS facing each other, with regular crochet hook, join B with sl st, working through both fabrics to begin working along sides of Rows of seventh wedge only, at the bottom of the bag, ch 1, sc, working through both fabrics joining the bottom of the bag together in sides of 12 rows of seventh wedge only. Bring up completed tube close to work as shown in photograph, working through next side edges of row and one corresponding loop of back “purl” bump of tube, work sc to top of bag, fasten off. Join remaining three sides of tube to bag in same manner, leaving approximately 21” unattached. Weave in all ends securely.
Felting
Place finished item in a lingerie bag or pillow case and wash at hottest water setting at the washer’s highest agitation level. For best results, use a tiny bit of soap in the wash. Tennis balls, old denim jeans or sneakers can also be added to increase friction. Alternatively, this item can also be felted in a large kitchen sink or bath tub.