How to Make a Crochet Tassel Beach Bag

Knitcraft It's Only Natural Light DK Yarn, 50g

· 6 x Cream (A)

· 1 x Monica – Peach (B)

· 1 x Henna – Blue (C)

· 1 x Jake – Cornflower (D)

BLO back loop only

ch chain

dec decrease (double crochet two together)

dtr double treble crochet

htr half treble crochet

rem remain

rep repeat

dc double crochet

st(s) stitch(es)

tr treble crochet

Notes

· Use 2 strands held together throughout

· Turning chains do not count as stitches

Use a metal-bristled brush, such as a pet-grooming brush, for the tassels

Finished Size

40cm (H) x 38cm (W) (inc. handles)

Gauge

10cm/4in x 10cm/4in = 14sts x 16 rows

With yarn A, using a 6mm hook and yarn held double:

Row 1 Ch10 then bring in one bag handle. Hold the handle upside down, and starting on the right-hand side, crochet the following stitches around the bottom bar of the handle: (4dtr, 4tr, 5htr, 10dc, 5htr, 4tr, 4dtr), ch10, turn. (56 sts)

Rows 2-4 Ch1, 56dc, turn.

Row 5 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (55 sts)

Row 6 Ch1, 55dc, turn.

Row 7 Ch1, working in BLO 55dc, turn.

Row 8 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (54 sts)

Row 9 Ch1, working in BLO 54dc, turn.

Row 10 Ch1, 54dc, turn.

Row 11 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (53 sts)

Row 12 Ch1, 53dc, turn.

Row 13 As row 12.

Row 14 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (52 sts)

Row 15 Ch1, working in BLO 52dc, turn.

Row 16 Ch1, 52dc, turn.

Row 17 Ch1, working in BLO 50dc, dec, turn. (51 sts)

Row 18 Ch1, 51dc, turn.

Row 19 As row 18.

Row 20 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (50 sts)

Row 21 Ch1, 50dc, turn.

Row 22 As row 21.

Row 23 Ch1, working in BLO dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (49 sts)

Row 24 Ch1, 49dc, turn.

Row 25 Ch1, working in BLO 49dc, turn.

Row 26 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (48 sts)

Row 27 Ch1, 48dc, turn.

Row 28 As row 27.

Row 29 Ch1, dc until 2 sts rem, dec, turn. (47 sts)

Rows 30-44 Rep row 29.

Row 45 Ch1, 32dc, turn.

Fasten off and weave in any ends.

Work as for front panel using second handle, but do not work in BLO for rows 7, 9, 15, 17, 23 and 25. Instead, work your dc in both loops as normal.

Place your front and back panels right sides together (with the unworked front loops from the front panel facing inwards). Attach yarn and work 32dc through the base of both panels to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Open your bag out with your base join facing out. Attach your yarn to the top edge of one side, and work 90dc evenly along the side edge of your bag. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Rep on the other side, but do not break yarn. Fold your bag closed again, with the right sides together and base join on the outside. Dc your side together, working in the front loops of the nearside row and the back loops only of the far side row of double crochets you have just created. Fasten off and repeat for the other side of the bag, weave in any remaining ends and turn right-side out.

Cut the following:

yarn B, 109 x 10cm/4in lengths (with yarn held double).

yarn C, 103 x 10cm/4in lengths (with yarn held double).

yarn D, 98 x 10cm/4in lengths (with yarn held double).

TIP – cut a 10cm/4in piece of cardboard to wrap your yarn around, and use this to measure your lengths; wrapping as you would if you were making a tassel, and cutting at the top and the bottom.

· To attach your tassels, insert your crochet hook into one of row 7's unworked front loops, from bottom to top.

· Holding a double strand of cut yarn B, fold in half and create a loop at the point of the fold.

· Hook this loop with your crochet hook, and pull down, bringing it through the unworked front loop. Keep your hook in the loop.

· Now yarn over with the four ends of the length of yarn, and pull these ends through the loop on your hook.

· To secure the tassel, pull gently but firmly down with your hand.

Repeat this technique across all unworked loops of row 7 and 9 in yarn B, rows 15 and 17 in yarn C, and rows 23 and 25 in yarn D.

Using a metal bristled brush, gently brush out your tassels to separate the fibres and fluff up your tassels. You may also want to trim your tassels, row by row, with a sharp pair of scissors.