1. Crochet is hot this spring, so grab a hook! This roomy bag is an easy weekend project because it’s worked in rounds of basic double crochet in colourful cotton stripes, making a strong, firm fabric. There’s nothing lacy or tricky here. For extra fun, we have added chic beaded handles in hot pink – but if you prefer, you could have longer shoulder straps made from a coordinating grosgrain ribbon. For full instructions, see below

2. Cushions with a flash of colour and pattern immediately brighten up a room. But for serious style, make them yourself using vintage silk scarves – check out op-shops. Just take two same-sized silk scarves – about 72cm square or cut to size and zigzagged around the raw edges – and press lightweight interfacing to the back of both. With right sides together, stitch the front to the back, leaving a 30cm opening along one side. Turn right side out, fill with a cushion insert and slip stitch the opening closed. Easy!

Crochet Bag

Finished size: about 34 x 34cm

ABBREVIATIONS

beg = begin/ning; ch = chain stitch; dc = double crochet; sl st/s = slip titch/es

Gather your supplies

4-ply 100% cotton yarn in colours to suit, such as Panda Regal 4-ply: 2 balls 4442 golden yellow, 1 ball each 6328 dark pink, 2930 turquoise-green, 3322 light pink, 4600 orange, 5235 lime green and 1216 lemon yellow; 3mm crochet hook; 30 x 12cm rigid cardboard; 70cm x 1.25mm brass tie wire; about sixty 10mm pink beads (or grosgrain ribbon if desired); wire cutters; needle-nose pliers; general sewing supplies

Note: Check to ensure the holes in beads are large enough to thread your wire through.

STEP 1
For bag base: using 3mm hook and golden yellow yarn, make 70ch.
1st Row: Miss 1ch, 1dc into each ch to end, turn.

2nd Row: 1ch, 1dc into each dc to end, turn. Repeat 2nd Row until work measures 10cm from beg. Fasten off.

STEP 2

For bag sides: Join light pink yarn to a corner of the base at the start of 1 long side. Work 70dc along side, 25dc across width, 70dc along other side and 25dc across remaining width. Join to beg of round with sl st.

STEP 3 Tie a marker. The rest of the bag is crocheted in rounds beg and ending here.

STEP 4

Work 1ch at beg of each round, then striped rounds of dc in colours as follows: 2 light pink; 5 golden yellow; 2 turquoise-green; 1 lemon yellow; 3 dark pink; 1 turquoise-green; 2 lemon yellow, 1 turquoise-green; 3 dark pink; 1 lemon yellow; 2 turquoise-green; 2 orange; 1 dark pink; 3 golden yellow; 1 orange; 2 dark pink; 1 orange; 3 golden yellow; 1 dark pink; 2 orange; 2 lime green; 1 lemon yellow; 2 turquoise-green; 1 lemon yellow; 3 dark pink; 1 turquoise-green; 2 lemon yellow; 1 turquoise-green; 3 dark pink; 1 lemon yellow; 2 turquoise-green; 5 light pink. Fasten off.

STEP 5 Fold the last 5 rounds to the inside and whip stitch this hem in place using matching thread. Sew all remaining thread ends into the inside of the rounds and trim, being careful not to show on the right side. Trim cardboard to fit rectangular base and slip inside bag.

STEP 6 To make handles: cut wire into 2 equal pieces. Use pliers to bend one end of each piece into a loop. Thread beads onto wires. Bend each remaining end into a loop, securing beads.

STEP 7 Position handles evenly (or use long straps of grosgrain if desired). Using blanket stitch, sew through loops to inside of bag edge with matching yarn.