Wrapping Christmas gifts is almost as exciting as shopping for them! A beautifully presented gift adds much to the joy of giving and receiving. I have crocheted this JOY motif and attached it to a simple hessian bag to make a beautiful, reusable gift bag. In this post I will walk you through how to crochet the motif and attach it to the bag.
Join a new length of red, work the final pull though of the 33rdst, continue with red to the end.
*Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Joy Gift Bag
by Dawn Curran
Materials:
- I used Debbie Bliss Eco Baby, a sport weight cotton yarn in Red, Silver and a small amount of Aqua
- 3.5mm crochet hook
- tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- small hessian/jute Bag
- PVA glue
Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single crochet
Ss – Slip stitch
St(s) – Stitch(es)
Notes on pattern:
The motif is worked using the colour chart below and is worked over 37 stitches and 21 rows.
The ch at the start of the row counts as the first st.
Every odd numbered row is worked from the right side and every even numbered row is worked from the wrong side. When working a right side row keep all yarn ends to the back, when working a wrong side row keep all yarn ends to the front of work.
Finished size of motif is 7inches/17.5cm x 3.5inches/9cm.
Get Started:With red ch38.
Row 1: 1sc in 3rdch from hook, 1sc in each ch (37sts including ch at start of row).
Row 2: 1ch, 1sc in 2ndst and every following st (37sts).
Rows 3-21 repeat row 2 referring to the chart for the colourwork.
Step by step instructions for working the colours:
Row 3: Work 1st 9sts in pattern, work the 1st half of the 9thst, stopping before the final pull through.
Join silver, keeping all yarn not in use at the back of work, work the last pull through of st.
Work the next 2sts and the 1st half of the 12thst in silver.
Join a new length of red and work the final pull through of the 12thst, the next 17sts and the 1st half of the 30thst, stopping before the final pull through.
Join a new length of silver and work the last pull through of the 30thst, work the next 2 sts and the 1st half of the 33rdst.
Join a new length of red, work the final pull though of the 33rdst, continue with red to the end.
Row 4: continuing with red work the 1st2 sts in pattern, on the 3rdst begin the colour change back to silver, this time keeping all yarn not in use to the front of work.
Work the last pull through of the 3rdst, the next 3sts and the 1st half of the next st in silver before beginning the colour change back to red.
In this way, referring to the chart work to the end of the row, keeping all yarn not in use to the front of work.
Continue in this way to work the whole of the chart, remembering every odd numbered row is worked from the right side and every even numbered row is worked from the wrong side. When working a right side row keep all yarn ends to the back, when working a wrong side row keep all yarn ends to the front of work.
Once you have finished fasten off and trim and weave in all ends.
For the centre bow
Cut 2 x 1 metre lengths of aqua.
With each length work 6ss across the horizontal centre line of the O, one starting at the right side, the other at the left and both stopping in the centre.
Pull yarn ends through to the front of work and ch25.
Tie in a neat bow, trim ends at front. Weave in ends at back.
Attach to the bag
Using PVA glue stick it onto the centre of the hessian bag.
Tra la! You now have a totally unique and reusable gift bag for a special friend. You could use this to make into a food hamper, a pamper set, a craft kit or even a yarn gift.
Let your imagination run wild and design your own motifs using the colour work skills you have learnt, we would love to see them in My hobby is crochet Group on Facebook!
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Hi, my name is Dawn and crochet is my hobby.
I just love to have a whole load of looping loops on my hook and the creative opportunities that crochet offers.
Inspired by ethical and fairtrade yarn, I sell my patterns and makes over on Etsy.
My blog at www.franklycrochet.com is where I share my free designs, best finds and top crochet tips and stories.
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Many thanks to Dawn for sharing with us this cute pattern with detailed tutorial!