HOOK TO HOOK: SPRING BAGS

Win a digital copy of the nxt Simply ochet ue! Ent by voting f yo favoite on Itagram #hooktohook @simplyochetmag w Spring bags

We challenged two designers to come up with a fab design, each using the same yarn… which is your fave?

Lara Butler Rilla Edwards

“My New Year’s resolution was to publish a design in a magazine, so I’ve already achieved my goal thanks to Simply Crochet’s amazing Hook to Hook challenge. I wanted to create a spring design that was light and fresh, and the wide range of rainbow colours provided were absolutely perfect for this May Flower bag. The Sirdar Happy range is fantastic to work with and the colours really pop. I can’t wait to see the readers’ nished makes. Enjoy!” Find Lara on Instagram at @hookedonewe_x “When I was given the opportunity to participate in the Hook to Hook challenge, I was over the moon. I wanted to design something simple, fun and colourful that used basic, beginner-friendly stitches. My bag is perfect for taking on a road trip, going to the market or toting your crochet supplies when you head outside. It was actually inspired by the bird feeder outside my sunroom window. I often listen to the birds chirping, and it makes me smile.” Find Rilla on Instagram at @Rilla2u

Left to right: The basic pattern for Lara’s bag is a plain fabric worked in half treble stitches; sew the flower motifs tightly together like a jigsaw puzzle in a three-row construction; the floral panel forms the flap of the bag, and is attached to the top of the back panel of the bag

May FLOWER BAG

Bring a bouquet with you wherever you go with this fab floral handbag by Lara Butler Q Sirdar Cotton DK (100% cotton, 100g/212m), 1 ball of Med Blue (540) Q Sirdar Happy Cotton (100% cotton, 20g/43m), 1 ball of each: Freckle (753), Wigwam (752),

Tea Time (751), Currant Bun (756), Dolly (761),

Jammy (755), Squeaky (783) Q A 4mm (US G/6) hook Q A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook Q Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231682 www.sirdar.com

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required

MEASUREMENTS

Bag measures approximately 22x18cm (8x7in)

ABBREVIATIONS

puff st (Yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull loop up to height of current round) 3 times, yrh and pull through all loops on hook For a full list, see page 94

FLOWER BAG

FLOWERS MAKE 20 Using a 3.5mm hook and Dolly, ch4 and ss in last ch from hook to form a loop. Round 1 (WS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 12dc in loop, ss to beg dc. [12 sts] Fasten off. Join any colour except Med Blue in any st. Round 2 (WS) *Ch3, puff st in st at base of ch-3, ch2, ss in next 2 sts from Round 1; rep from * 5 times more. Fasten off. Using the image as a guide, sew the Flowers in 2 rows of 6 and 1 row of 7, leaving 1 Flower. Sew the rows together so the row of 7 Flowers is sandwiched between the rows of 6 Flowers. Sew the final Flower to the bottom-centre of the Flowers.

FRONT PANEL Using a 4mm hook and Med Blue, ch31. Row 1 (RS) Htr in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [30 sts] Rows 2-18 Ch1, htr in each st across, turn. Row 19 Ch1, htr in each st across, do not turn. Work a round of dc around front, working 1dc in each row-end and 3dc in each corner. Fasten off.

BACK PANEL Using a 4mm hook and Med Blue, ch31. Row 1 (RS) Htr in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [30 sts] Rows 2-20 Ch1, htr in each st across, turn. Row 21 Ch1, htr in each st across, do not turn. Work a round of dc around front, working 1dc in each row-end and 3dc in each corner. Fasten off.

TO JOIN Place Front and Back together, with RS facing out. Using a 4mm hook, join yarn in top-left corner of Front and working through Back Panel at the same time to join. Row 1 (RS) Ch1, 19dc to corner, 32dc across base, 19dc up to corner of Front. Do not fasten off.

STRAP You can adapt the length of the Strap by working a longer or shorter ch. Cont with Med Blue, ch151. Row 1 Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [150 sts] Row 2 Ch1, dc in each st across, ss in first dc of join. Fasten off.

TO FINISH Sew the Flowers to the top of the Back Panel. Weave in all ends.

Birdhouse BAG

You’ll fit everything you need into this long spring-themed tote by Rilla Edwards Q Sirdar Cotton DK (100% cotton, 100g/212m), 3 balls of Med Blue (540) Q Sirdar Happy Cotton (100% cotton, 20g/43m), 1 ball of each: Freckle (753), Wigwam (752),

Tea Time (751), Currant Bun (756), Dolly (761),

Jammy (755), Squeaky (783) Q A 4mm (US G/6) hook Q A 2mm (US B/1) hook For yarn stockists see May Flower Bag

TENSION

Left to right: Rilla’s bag cleverly combines colourwork with a corner-to-corner stitch pattern for a richly textured look – the cute appliqués add colourful layers to the 3D nature of the design; the bag is constructed of three pieces: front, back and handles, which are sewn together

MEASUREMENTS

Bag measures approximately 25x34cm (9x13in)

NOTES

The main body of the Bag is made in 3 separate pieces, which are sewn together at the end. Each piece is worked in a corner-to-corner (c2c) construction, working blocks diagonally across each row. Each ‘block’ is made up of a ch3 and 3tr. Each ‘row’ is worked diagonally, starting with 1 block in the bottom right corner, increasing to 2 blocks in the next row, 3 blocks in the next row, and so on. Once you have reached the required width each piece is worked in straight rows to the correct height. Each piece is then finished by decreasing 1 c2c block each row to the end. There is a Chart on page 96, which you will need to refer to for the Front. Each square represents 1c2c block. Read all RS rows diagonally from right to left and all WS rows diagonally from left to right. Weave off small balls of each colour to use for the Front. For the main body of the Bag, use 2 strands of yarn held together as one.

BIRDHOUSE BAG

FRONT INCREASING ROWS

Using a 4mm hook and 2 strands of Med Blue, ch6. Row 1 (RS) Tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, turn. [1 c2c block] Row 2 (WS) Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, ch3, 3tr in same sp, turn. [2 c2c blocks] Row 3 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, *ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, ch3, 3tr in same sp; rep from * across to end, turn. [3 c2c blocks] Row 4 As Row 3. [4 c2c blocks] Refer to the Chart for all colour changes. The first 2 rows of colourwork have been written out to guide you. Row 5 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, *ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, ch3, 3tr in same sp**, change to Squeaky, rep from * to ** once more, change to Med Blue, rep from * to ** twice more, turn. [5 c2c blocks] Row 6 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, *ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, ch3, 3tr in same sp**, change to Dolly, rep from * to ** once more, change to Med Blue, rep from * to ** 3 times more, turn. [6 c2c blocks] Rows 7-15 As Row 2, using the Chart for all colour changes. [15 c2c blocks]

STRAIGHT ROWS

Row 16 Ss in first 3 sts, ss in ch-3 sp, ch3, 3tr in same sp, *ss in next ch-3 sp, ch3, 3tr in same sp; rep across to end, turn. [15 c2c blocks] Row 17 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, *ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp across; rep across to final ch-3 sp, ss in ch-3 sp, turn. [15 c2c blocks] Rows 18-20 Rep Rows 16-17, then rep Row 17 once more.

DECREASING ROWS

end, turn. [14 c2c blocks] Rows 22-34 As Row 21. [1 c2c block at end of Row 34] Fasten off and weave in ends.

BACK Using a 4mm hook and 2 strands of Med Blue, ch6. Work as Front, using Med Blue throughout.

BASE Using a 4mm hook and 2 strands of Med Blue, ch6. Row 1 (RS) Tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, turn. [1 c2c block] Row 2 (WS) Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss in ch-3 sp on next block across, ch3, 3tr in same sp, turn. [2 c2c blocks] Row 3 Ss in next 3 sts, ss in first ch-3 sp, ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp, ch3, 3tr in same sp, turn. Row 4 Ch6, tr in fourth ch from hook and next 2 ch, ss in next ch-3 sp, ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in final ch-3 sp, turn. Rows 5-13 Rep Rows 3-4, ending on a Row 3 rep. Row 14 Ss in next 3 sts, ss in first ch-3 sp, ch3, 3tr in same sp, ss in next ch-3 sp. Fasten off and weave in ends.

HANDLES (MAKE 2) Using a 4mm hook and 2 strands of Med Blue, join yarn in top-right corner of Front. Row 1 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st and 2dc in each ch-sp across, turn. [38 sts] Row 2 Ch1, dc in first 8 sts, ch22, skip 22 sts, dc

Left to right: follow the chart to ensure the blocks appear in the right places to form the picture; the petals of the pink flower are worked in double treble stitches; for the star-like flowers, the petals are worked on chains radiating from the centre, then finished with embroidery

in final 8 sts, turn. [16 sts, 1 ch-22 sp] Row 3 Ch1, dc in each st and ch across, turn. [38 sts] Row 4 Ch1, dc in each st across. Fasten off. Rep Rows 1-4 on Back.

APPLIQUÉS Use a single strand of yarn for each Appliqué. Refer to the image when sewing the Appliqués to the Front of the Bag.

BIRD Using a 2mm hook and Freckle, ch6. Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [5 sts] Row 2 (WS) Ch1, 2dc in first st, dc in each st to final st, 2dc in final st, turn. [7 sts] Row 3 As Row 2. [9 sts] Rows 4-6 Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. Row 7 Ss in first 4 sts, dc in next 5 sts, turn. Row 8 Ch1, dc in first 4 sts, turn leaving rem st unworked. [4 sts] Row 9 Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. Row 10 Ss in first st, dc in next 2 sts, leave last st unworked. Fasten off.

BEAK

With RS facing and using a 2mm hook, join Dolly in the side of Row 8 with a ss, dc in same row-end. Fasten off.

TAIL FEATHER

*Ch3, ss in second ch from hook, ss in next ch, ss in ss at base of ch-3; rep from * twice more. Fasten off.

FEET

Using a 2mm hook and Currant Bun, join yarn in base of second st from Row 1. *Ch4, 2dc in third ch from hook, ss in next ch**, ss in st at base of ch-4, ss in next st; rep from * to ** once more. Fasten off.

TO FINISH BIRD

Using Tea Time, embroider an eye on to the Bird. Sew the Bird to the Front of the Bag.

BIRDHOUSE TOP Using a 4mm hook and Currant Bun, make a magic loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr), 2tr in loop, (dc in loop, 3tr in loop) twice, dc in loop, ss to top of beg ch-3. [12 sts] Fasten off. Sew to the Front of the Bag.

WHITE FLOWER Using a 2mm hook and Dolly, ch6 and ss in last ch from hook. Round 1 (RS) *Ch7, ss in second ch from hook and each ch across, ss in loop; rep from * 5 times more. Fasten off. Using Tea Time, embroider the centre of the Flower. Sew to the Front of the Bag. BLUE FLOWER Using Tea Time, ch5 and ss in last ch from hook. Round 1 (RS) *Ch6, ss in second ch from hook and each ch across, ss in loop; rep from * 4 times more. Fasten off. Using Jammy, embroider the centre of the Flower. Sew to the Front of the Bag.

PINK FLOWER PETAL (MAKE 4)

Using a 2mm hook and Jammy, ch6. Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [5 sts] Rows 2-3 Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. Row 4 Ch1, dc2tog first 2 sts, dtr in next st, tr in next st, dtr in final st, turn. Row 5 Ch1, (dc2tog) twice. Fasten off. Using the tails, sew the Petals together to form the flower shape. Using Dolly, embroider the centre of the Flower. Sew Flower to Front of Bag.

TO MAKE UP With WS facing, pin the Front, Back and Base together. The Front and Back should be joined across the 13 blocks of the Base, with 1 block being joined to the short sides of the Base at either side. Use Med Blue to whipstitch the pieces together.