String Market Bag

A sturdy bag for groceries, library books, and whatever you want to put in it.

Abbreviations

sc  single crochet

dc  double crochet
ch  chain


You will make fewer rounds depending on the weight of your yarn and the size of the bag you want.  Use the smallest crochet hook comfortable for your yarn.  It’s better if the bag is worked tighter because it will stretch a lot.  For the body of the bag I start with 3 rows of chain 3 loops, 5 rows of chain 5 loops, 7 rows of chain 7 loops.  The chain 9 loops can vary according to your bag.  Probably 4-7 will be plenty unless you want it bigger.  The bag will look small but it will stretch a lot once you start using it.  A handle of 60 stitches will be enough to put over your shoulder in most cases.  Make the handle shorter if you want it over your wrist.

Remember: It’s a bag.  It doesn’t have to fit anyone.  It’s a great way to use leftover yarns.  I have used cottons and cotton blends.

Base
Chain 3 and connect with slip stitch to form a loop
Row 1  Chain 3. 11 dc in loop.  Join with slip stitch to chain 3.  (12)
Row 2      Chain 3, dc in same space as chain.  2 dc in each space between stitches. Join with slip stitch to chain 3  (24)
Row 3     Chain 3.  dc in same space as  chain 3.  *2 dc between each of next 2 stitches * all around.  Join with slip stitch to ch  3
Row 4     Chain 3. dc in same space.  *dc, 2 dc in next space* around.  Join with slip stitch to ch 3.
Row 5     Chain 3. dc in same space as ch 3.  *dc, dc, 2 dc in same space* all around. Join with slip stitch to ch3.

Body
Note: The row counts are starting again for the body of the bag
Row 1          Place marker and move for row count.  Chain 3, skip one stitch SC in next space* around.
Row 2-3      Chain 3, sc in chain 3 from previous row
Row 4-8      Chain 5, sc in chain from previous row
Row 9-15     Chain 7, sc in chain from previous row
Row 16-20    (more or less, as desired) Chain 9, sc in chain from previous row.

Top and Handles
3 Sc in each ch 9 space all around.
 (If it still seems enormous, go around again with 1 sc in every other sc.  Depends on the weight of your yarn.)
Row 1.       Single crochet in 25 sc.
Row 2.       Turn.  Ch 1, sc in each sc.
Row 3 & 4 Repeat rows 1 and 2 .

Turn sideways and slip stitch down side of last 4 rows.  Continue around with sc.  Fold bag in half in the middle of your last chain 25 section.  Count back 12 from the fold and start  another 25 sc section there.  When it is finished continue around to edge of 1st 25 sc part.  Sc up the side.  Chain (loosely) for 60 stitches.  This gives you a medium handle.  If you want it longer or shorter adjust the number of stitches.

*Remember it will stretch.  Attach with sc to other end of 25 block.  Continue around to other 25 section and chain the same amount as the first handle.  Do at least 4 rows around.

Ripple Buttons Stay On Shawl

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Abbreviations
K knit
P purl
K2tog knit 2 together- right leaning decrease
SSK Slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together- left leaning decrease
YO yarn over
PM place marker
SM slip marker
WS wrong side
RS right side

garter stitch- knit every row
stockinet stitch- knit right side, purl wrong side.



A shawl with three sections designed to stay on comfortably, with the optional additions of a few strategic buttons to turn it into a shrug or just to stay on better.

There is no gauge because you can use any weight yarn as long as you get the measurements you want.  I’ve made it in 2 different DK’s. One, Green Misti Alpaca Tonos Pima Silk, is a lighter DK and the second, Tatamy Tweed DK,  is almost like a light worsted.

The longest one I made measures 15 inches blocked measuring from the center back neck to the hem, with 8 pattern repeats.  The shorter dark green one has 6 repeats and the avocado one has 7.  If you want sleeve buttons a longer shawl is better.


Directions

This shawl will have 3 equal sections, divided by 2 garter stitch “seams” with yarn-overs on each side of those stitches.  Every row will start and end with 2 garter stitches, with a yarn over after the first 2 and before the last 2 on the right side.  8 stitches increased every RS row.

Start with Garter Tab:
Cast on 3 stitches
Knit 11 Rows
Turn and pick up 5 stitches on purl bumps along the side
Turn and pick up 3 stitches along the cast on end
11 stitches on the needle


Foundation Row (WS)
K2, PM, K1, PM, K2, PM, K1, PM, K2, PM, K1, PM, K2

Row I: (RS) K2, SM, YO, **knit to marker YO, SM, K2, SM, YO**  Repeat **  ** 1 more time,   knit to last marker, YO, SM, K2

Row 2: K2, SM,  *P to marker, SM, K2* , repeat ** 1 more time. Purl to marker, SM, K2.

(Correction on repeats.)

Ripple pattern

Work rows 1 &2 until there are 11 stitches between markers on the WS.

Begin chart on row 1 and work right to left on odd number rows and left to right on even number row.  Slip markers showing the beginning of the chart on each section.  Work the chart, continuing the (YO, K2, YO) increases as established.

On next RS row, K2, YO, then PM, and begin Row 1 of ripple chart over 11 stitches. On the next 2 sections, begin ripple pattern between markers.  Place a marker before the first stitch of the pattern on each of the sections.  YO, SM, K2, SM, YO, after each of the first two sections, on last follow pattern section with YO, SM, K2.  Work extra stitches before the markers starting the charted pattern in stockinet stitch.  (knit on RS and purl on WS).

Continue like this, adding a new repeat of the chart on the beginning and end of each panel after the last garter ridge, as in rows 12 and 24.  For example, begin row 13, K2, YO, and start chart.  Always K1 between pattern repeats.  That K1 will line up with the center stitch of the repeat below it.

When beginning a new repeat, you can count 11 stitches from the center of the repeat on the row below, not counting the center stitch.



Ripple Chart

Chart Key:
Blank space:   K on right side, P on wrong side
Black dot:    Knit on wrong side, P on right side
/ :    Right leaning decrease, K2tog
\ :    Left leaning decrease, SSK
O:   Yarn over
Solid Black Square:  No stitch

When you have your desired length, add edging after completing chart repeat.  Row 2 of this edging include a YO row which will give you buttonholes for sleeves.  If you are making a small shawl or don’t’ care about sleeves, you can purl row 2.

Edging
(RS) Row 1` Purl
         Row 2 YO P2 tog
         Row 3 Purl
         Bind off

                                                               

Leafy Buttons Stay Put Shawl

Buttons Shawl

I wanted a shawl that is easy to wear when I'm active.  The shape stays on and with the addition of the front button, I can walk the dogs, drive, go shopping-- whatever.  Also you can add buttons on the inside of the 2 points between sections and have sleeves.  

There are three sections designed to stay on the shoulders, with the optional additions of a few strategic buttons to turn it into a shrug or just to stay on better.  

Abbreviations

K knit

P purl

K2tog knit 2 together- right leaning decrease

SSK Slip, slip, knit these 2 stitches together- left leaning decrease

YO yarn over

PM place marker

SM slip marker

RM remove marker

WS wrong side

RS right side

Start with Garter Tab

Cast on 3 stitches

Knit 11 Rows

Turn and pick up 5 stitches on purl ridge near the edge

Turn and pick up 3 stitches along the cast on edge

11 stitches on the needle

Foundation Row (WS)

K2, PM, K1, PM, K2, PM, K1, PM, K2, PM, K1, PM, K2

Row I: (RS) K2, SM, YO, **knit to marker YO, SM, K2, SM, YO**  Repeat **  ** 2 times,   SM YOK2

Row 2: K2  *P to marker, SM, K2* , repeat ** 2 more times. Purl to marker, SM, K2.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 15 stitches (WS) in each panel between yarn overs.  RS K2 YO, PM and begin row 1 of small chart, knitting one stitch after the 14 chart stitches.    Even rows are purl. All of the WS rows are purl.

The second chart shows how the pattern will repeat as you have more stitches in that section.

Continue until center back measures, from center of neck edge to last row, 13” blocked (shorter shawl) or 14” blocked for a longer shawl (or shorter or longer if you prefer), ending on a wrong side row.

Work 4 more rows and then work the last Border Chart, continuing (K2, YO)'s until the last row. 

Optional Buttons

Try the shawl on and figure out where you’d like a button on the left front edge.  Sew 2 buttons on the inside of the points, where the increases were made between sections.  You can button these against the edges for sleeves. 

Please contact me with any questions.

I have added some more directions to this pattern, and I hope it helps.

Charts

Chart Key

Blank spaces:    Knit on right side, purl on wrong side
                        Knit on wrong side, purl on right side
⁄                        K2tog, right leaning decrease
\                         SSK, left leaning decrease
                       Yarn over
Solid black square= no stitch

Notes on Chart 1

The chart is worked from right to left for the right side and left to right for the wrong side.

Every right side row begins with K2, YO, and has YO, K2, YO, between the triangle sections, ending with YO, K2.  The wrong side rows begin with are purl except knit the 2 first and last stitches, and between the YO increases separating the sections.

For example:

Row 1: K2, PM, YO, PM, K6, K2TOG, K3, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1 PM, YO, PM, KnK2,** YO* repeat one more time from *, then repeat from * ending on **

Row 2 (and all even rows) Knit the 2 stitches between or next to YO increases, Purl the rest.

Chart 2

This chart only shows the right side rows, knit all from right to left.  All wrong size rows are purled.   

Use this chart to count where to add new pattern repeats.  The 17 stitches show a full repeat, but it isn't necessary to start there.  Every 8 rows the design alternates.  Depending on the stitches available for the next 8 row, count back from the pattern on the row below and PM.  Begin either with a K2TOG, YO, K1, YO (as in row 1 of chart) or YO, K1, YO, SSK (as in row 5 on chart)



                                            

 Sometimes you may want to add a leaf without having enough stitches to do the corresponding decreases.  The way this shawl is shaped the extra stitch (from the yarn over without the decrease) won't matter.

Border

RS. K2, YO, PM, work border chart, repeating until the last 2 stitches, PM, YO, K2.

As you continue with chart, work stitches between YO’s and markers in stockinet stitch (k on right side, purl on wrong side).  

Border chart

Bind off in purl.