© Gilly Bettney 2008 version 1.

L ITTLE S TRING B AG
The main body of the bag is done in the round, so you’ll need a stitch marker. The
finished size is approximately 20 cm/8 inches deep and 25 cm/10 inches wide (un-
stretched), whilst the bag opening is 20 cm/8 inches in diameter.

The internal pocket is made first and attached to the bag as the bag is worked. It
measures approximately 9 cm/3.5 inches wide by 10 cm/4 inches deep. You can change
the size of your pocket by making it wider or deeper, or even add in extra ones to suit
your needs.

Tension is not important for this pattern, so feel free to use whichever cotton yarn you
have to hand.

Materials Techniques Required

150g/300m Patons 100% cotton DK Chain stitch (ch)
1 button, 15mm/ ½ inch diameter Slip stitch (ss)
Double crochet (dc)
Hook Cord stitch
4mm/G

Cord Stitch
This is simply double crochet that is crocheted from left to right (with the right side facing)
and produces a lovely sturdy finish to your work. If you have trouble with this stitch, it can
be replaced with a row of slip-stitches instead (with either the right or the wrong side of
your work facing).

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© Gilly Bettney 2008 version 1.0

Pocket

21 ch, leaving a long end of yarn to use for sewing the pocket side with.
1. Right side: 1 dc into the second ch from the hook. 1 dc into each ch to end. 1 ch,
turn (20)
2. 1 dc into each, 1 ch, turn (20)
3. Repeat row 2 until the work measures 21-22 cm, a total of approximately 51 rows.
Ending with the right side facing.

Next row: Wrong side: 1 dc into next 10, 7 ch, 1 dc into last 10 dc. 1 ch, turn (20)

N.B. these 7 ch forms the button loop, you may need to make it larger or smaller
depending on the yarn you are using and the size of the button you have chosen.

Next row: Right side: 1 dc into each dc of the previous row. Keep your work in front of
the ch loop, 1 ch, turn (see images below) (20)

For min g th e
button loo p.

Last row: 1 dc into each (20).

T h e f i n i s h ed b u t t o n l o o p

Finish off, leaving a long end for sewing. Fold the bottom edge of the pocket up so that it
is just under the button loop. Sew down both sides of the pocket. The pocket is now ready
to be inserted into the bag. Don’t forget to sew on your button. Place it on the front of the
pocket, ensuring the loop fits around it.

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© Gilly Bettney 2008 version 1.0

Bag

5 ch, ss into the first ch to form a ring

1. 6 dc into the ring. Continue in spirals, without joining each round
2. 2 dc in each dc around (12)
3. *1 dc into the first stitch, 2 dc into the next. Repeat from * around (18)
4. *1 dc into each of the next 2 dc, 2 dc into the next. Repeat from * around (24)
5. *1 dc into each of the next 3 dc, 2 dc into the next. Repeat from * around (30)
6. *1 dc into each of the next 3 dc, 2 dc into the next. Repeat from * around (36)

Continue increasing in this manner, increasing 6 stitches each round, until you reach
96 stitches.

17. *1 dc into each of the next 14 dc, 2 dc into the next. Repeat from * around (96)
18. *3 ch, miss the first dc, 1 dc into the next. Repeat from * around, ending with 3 ch
19. Miss next 2 dc, 1 dc into the next 3 ch loop of the previous round. *3 ch, 1 dc into
the next 3 ch loop. Repeat from * around, ending with 1 dc into the first 3 ch loop
formed at the start of the round

Th e end of ro und 1 8 and th e s tar t o f r ound 19

20. Repeat round 19

21. *5ch, 1 dc into the first 3 ch loop. Repeat from * around, ending with 5 ch
22. *1 dc into the next 5 ch loop, 5 ch. Repeat from * around, ending with 5 ch
Repeat round 22 three more times.

26. *1 dc into the next 5 ch loop, 7 ch. Repeat from * around, ending with 7 ch
Repeat round 26 twice.

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© Gilly Bettney 2008 version 1.0

29. *1 dc into the next 7 ch loop, 5 ch. Repeat from * around, ending with 5 ch
Repeat round 29 twice.

32. *1 dc into the next 5 ch loop, 3 ch. Repeat from * around, ending with 3 ch
33. 1 dc into the next 3 ch loop, 1 dc into next dc, *1 ch, miss 3 ch loop, 1 dc into next
dc. Repeat from * around ending with 1 dc into the last dc.
34. 1 dc into each dc and each 1 ch space around (96)
35. 1 dc into each dc around (96)
Repeat round 35 twice. Then attach the pocket as follows:

38. 12 dc. 1 dc through the first dc of the pocket and the next dc of the bag top (see
photos below), continue working through both dc’s for the next 19 dc. 1 dc into
each dc to end (96)
39. 1 dc into each dc around (96)
40. 10 dc, 25 ch, miss 25 dc, 23 dc, 25 ch, miss 25 dc, 1 dc into each of the next 13 dc
41. 10 dc, 1 dc into each 25 ch, 23 dc, 1 dc into each 25 ch, 13 dc (96)
42. 1 dc into each dc around (96)
43. repeat round 42 (96)
44. repeat round 42, ending with a slip stitch into the next stitch (96), DO NOT cut the
yarn

Attachi ng the pocket.

Please note that in this picture, the

pocket does not yet have the sides
sewn together

To finish:
With the last loop of the previous stitch still on your hook, turn the work so that the right
side is facing. Complete a row of cord stitch around the top, ending with a slip stitch into
the last dc. Finish off.

For each handle, attach the yarn with the right side facing and complete 1 row of cord
stitch around each handle. If not already done, sew a button into place for the pocket.
Sew in all the ends. Your bag is now complete. N.B. A row of ss can be worked, as an
alternative to the cord stitch.

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© Gilly Bettney 2008 version 1.0

Al ternatives
* Try working the trim in a different colour.
* Add crocheted flowers, fringes or other motifs to the bag.
* Increase the number of rows of 5 ch loops/7 ch loops worked to produce a longer
bag.
* Use a thicker yarn and a larger hook to create a larger bag.
* Increase the number of ch when working the handles, but still only miss 25 dc, to
make larger handles.

If you spot any mistakes in this pattern, please do not hesitate to contact me:

herebegb@blueyonder.co.uk

herebegb.etsy.com

Thank-you, and I hope you enjoy this pattern!

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