Welcome to Handmade by Heather’s first ever CAL (crochet-a-long). In this CAL we will be making a shopping bag or just a bag you can carry things around in. Between us, I have a bag problem. I collect bags like most people collect treasure, lol. Anyhoo, we are finished with the granny square portion of Crochet: The Beginning but I felt that some more practical work would be good. Since I know more and more stores require people to bring their own bags, I thought a shopping bag would be a good fit for the first CAL. This bag can be used for shopping when you are out hunting for that deal.

The way my crochet along works is I will show you what the finished piece looks like but will not release the entire pattern until done. There is no charge for this pattern and even though the entire pattern will be released with multiple pages on different weeks once the CAL is completed I will have a download available that combines all downloads into one PDF for your convenience and ease of storage.

The material list for this CAL will be a fairly short one. I will go over the different materials and my suggested type and the reasons of why I suggest it further down the page. As with all my projects I do my best to make it cost efficient so most materials if not all of the materials can be purchased at a local craft store (i.e. Michaels, JoAnn, Hobby Lobby or even Walmart).

So come along with me as we make a shopping bag. This will be a beginner friendly pattern. I will go over, in video, every single step. I am also available via direct message or email for any questions.

I have done the example bag in two colors. I felt that the special square looked best with at least two colors. You are free to make this bag in a single color or as many colors as you want.
I am splitting this CAL up in four parts one week apart. There are only three different granny squares that are used. Neither one is difficult to make. I am planning on the parts being released as follows:

• Week 1: the first granny square
• Week 2: the second granny square
• Week 3: the third granny square
• Week 4: Putting it all together

MATERIALS:

• Cotton yarn #4 (1200 yrds)
• Hook for yarn size
• Scissors
• 4 stitch markers

YARN TYPE:

OK, I use cotton yarn for all my shopping bags. I use it because I can easily throw it into my washing machine & not worry about it. You can throw
acrylic into the washing machine but I have noticed that acrylic sometime will pill or “fluff” out. Due to that I make my bags out of cotton. You can use any type of yarn you choose to. Cotton will stretch but a soak in hot water & re block will bring it back into shape if you feel the need.

I use the brands Peaches ‘n Cream or Sugar ‘n cream for my bags. I have found for me these two brands (though if honest I believe they are made by the same company) do not stretch very much and the color choices are nice. You can use whichever brand of cotton you like. I will warn you that if you use red or a deep color do not wash it with your whites or light
colored items. Those colors of cotton I have found will bleed colors.

I do want to say that I would only use cotton or acrylic or at least a blend of yarn with acrylic or cotton in it. That way you have the strength and durability of you for the bag.

Crochet Hook:

I recommend using the hook that works for the yarn.
I am using a H hook for mine, but I crochet very tight, so I always go up a size or two. If you are using worsted weight yams then I would use a F, G, or H hook. You want this to be crocheted with a tighter then normal tension. The tightness will help with the stretching that normally happens. Again you do not have to buy expensive hooks for your projects.

Scissors:

It is back-to-school time. go to your local department that has back- to-school items & get you some cheap scissors. Right now I know Wal-Mart has some fore $1. 58 a pair. Yes, the fancy prices scissors are pretty. The cheap ones work just as well. Only use them to cut your and they will stay sharp. DO NOT cut paper with them. That will make them dull.

Stitch Markers:

I recommend you having 4 stitch markers that open & close. These could be anything from safety pins to paper clips. My best advice for picking out items is to think outside the box.

The other option would be for you to purchase a crochet beginner’s kit from me. With my crochet beginner’s kits each contain a project bag, set of 3 most used hooks, pair of scissors, a pen/pencil, a notepad and small amount of yarn (my choice in color) all contained within a box for your ease of organization.

So come along with me on this crochet along. You may learn a few things a long the way. You might even realize you like doing them and ask me to find or design others for you.