Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for supplying the yarn for this sample!
It’s not lost on me that this probably seems a little late in the game to be releasing a Teacher Thank-You Gift idea, considering it seems most of the country has already been on summer break for a couple of weeks. But here in Michigan, we have this silly little state law that prohibits public schools from starting before Labor Day; and with a late start date comes a late end date. (I don’t mind it, really… it’s especially nice when all the Ohio kids go back to school in August and we Michiganders get all the rides at Cedar Point to ourselves. But I digress.)
So, since I’m a procrastinator, I’m just now figuring out what to give my son’s awesome Readiness Kindergarten teacher. Luckily for you, this pattern could be used for a number of things (and I’m hoping that Mrs. Huntley will find other uses for it as well)!
For Mrs. Huntley, I stuffed it with glue sticks and glue bottles (which were a constant need in the classroom throughout the year), and I also plan to add some candy and a small gift card for coffee. Hopefully she’ll love it… we sure love her!
About the Yarn
24/7 Cotton is a #4 medium weight yarn, although I’d definitely put it on the lighter side of the #4 family. It’s 100% mercerized cotton, which means it’s been treated with a process that brings out its brightness and sheen and helps it withstand multiple washings without losing that sheen. It comes in 186-yard skeins in a range of 24 gorgeous colors, from striking brights to natural-looking neutrals. It produces a stiffish (that’s probably not a real word) fabric, has a great balance of sheen and stitch definition, and doesn’t split at all during use. I’ve been seriously impressed with Lion Brand’s recently released yarns, and 24/7 Cotton is really no exception.
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HUNTLEY GIFT BAG
Level: Easy
Size: 9″ long x 3″ wide x 6″ tall
Hook: H (5.00mm)
Yarn: About 295 yards total of a #4 medium weight 100% mercerized cotton yarn. I used 24/7 Cotton (by Lion Brand) in color blocks of Lilac, Café Au Lait, and Ecru. You will be holding two strands together, so you can either buy two skeins of each color (if you’re using my color changes), or you can buy 1 skein of each and roll half of each skein into its own center-pull ball.
You’ll also need: Yarn needle
Gauge: 12 rows of 10SC = 3″ square
Abbreviations Used:
ST (stitch)
SL ST (slip stitch)
SK (skip)
CH (chain)
SC (single crochet)
HDC (half double crochet)
SC+HDC (this just means to put a single crochet and a half double crochet in the same stitch)
Notes:
(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) Starting CHs do not count as stitches.
(3) You are holding two strands together throughout the pattern.
(4) Made at the correct gauge, this bag is stiff enough to stand on its own, but still has quite a bit of give. For a stiffer bag, use a smaller hook size or consider triple-stranding your yarn.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
To begin:
With first color double-stranded, CH 26.
Round 1: 3SC in 2nd CH from hook. SC in each of the next 23 CHs. 3SC in last CH, working around the tail to the other side. SC in each of the next 23 CHs. Join with a SL ST to 1st SC. (52)
Round 2: CH1 (does not count as a stitch, here or throughout). 2SC in same ST, 2SC in each of the next 2 STS. SC in each of the next 23 STS. 2SC in each of the next 3 STS. SC in each of the next 23 STS. Join with a SL ST to 1st SC. (58)
Round 3: CH1. 2SC in same ST. SC in next ST. (2SC in next, SC in next) two times. SC in each of the next 23 STS. (2SC in next, SC in next) three times. SC in each of the next 23 STS. Join with a SL ST to 1st SC. (64)
Round 4: CH1. SC in each of first 2 STS. 2 SC in next ST. (SC in each of next 2 STS, 2SC in next) two times. SC in each of the next 23 STS. (SC in each of next 2 STS, 2SC in next) three times. SC in each of the next 23 STS. Join with a SL ST to 1st SC. (70)
Round 5: CH1. SC+HDC in same ST, SK next ST. (SC+HDC in next ST, SK next ST) around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (70)
Rounds 6-13: CH1, turn. SC+HDC in same ST, SK next ST. (SC+HDC in next ST, SK next ST) around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (70)
Note: You should be back on the right side of your work at this point. If you find that you are on the wrong side, it’s not a big deal, you probably just miscounted a row, but you’ll need to turn on the next round to get yourself back to the right side.
Change colors if desired.
Rounds 14-20: CH1. SC in first ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (70)
Change colors if desired.
Rounds 21-23: CH1. SC in first ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (70)
Round 24: CH1. SC in first ST and in next 19 STS. CH14. SK 11 STS. SC in next 24 STS. CH14. SK 11 STS. SC in next 4 STS. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (48 SC + two CH14s)
Visual of Round 24, creating the bag handles with the CH14:
Round 25: CH1. SC in first ST and in each ST around, putting 1SC in each CH from the two CH14s of the previous round. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (76)
Rounds 26-27: CH1. SC in first ST and in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the first SC. (76)
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Beginning with row 14, is it still double stranded the remaining rows?
Yes, all throughout.
happy to get this pattern
love this pattern
can you post a video on youtube on how to make it please
I’m glad you’re interested in the pattern! To make and edit a proper video tutorial takes quite a bit of uninterrupted time, and with 3 little ones, I rarely have much of that. I am working on making tutorials for some of my older patterns but unfortunately this one isn’t quite as high of a priority as some of the others.
Awesome
Love this pattern. Just finished the first color, I did it in mint, one of my nieces fave colors. It’s going to be part of her Christmas presents. I used an H hook and 3 strands, I wanted it to be stiffer but I think I’ll stick with 2 on the other bags. I have such an issue with gauge. My length ended up at 12 inches, and it’s 5 inches tall already lol. I think I determined a while back if I wanted to match anyone elses gaauge I’d have to go 2-3 hook sizes smaller, and I just can’t do that.I’m thinking of making the handles long. Hopefully I can figure it out. Love all your patterns!
Hi , Great giftbag. could u help me with row 24. My handles arenot centered on the bag? I have correct amount of stitches in row 23. re did it twicedoesnt work/ what am I doing wrong?
Hi Marilyn, without seeing what you’re doing it’s hard to know. You are welcome to send a photo of your work to me at littlemonkeyscrochet(at)gmail.com
hi.,beautiful bag .but having trouble with round 24, I have right amount of stitches in row 23. the handles aren’t centered on the bag> did it over a couple times. get the same result.
This is a great pattern! So pretty and can be used with many different stitch combinations or counts. I may have found my go to pattern and let my creative juices flow!
Thank you!!!
Hello, I’ve made this and I was just wondering why the seam is almost to the corner of the pattern, how would I make it with the seam at the end of the corner
I don’t have the numbers for that adjustment, but you’re welcome to try to figure it out.
I LOVE this pattern! I increased the size to be able to use it as a travel bag for my current crochet projects. I bring it everywhere. Appointments, coffee shops, friends homes, and I always get at least one comment when I’m out how cute it is. Your patterns are all great! Thanks for sharing them!
Hi Rebecca,
This is such a cute gift bag, I’d like to make a larger one as a purse or tote. Do you have a pattern for that in crochet? If not, it would be great to have one.
Thanks,
Lynne
I don’t, but I’ve gotten a lot of requests. Maybe this spring!
Hello Rebecca:
Congratulations on your third little monkey!
I am new at this website stuff so i want to thank you for sharing the lovely Huntley bag. I just finished it and absolutely love it. I will be ordering the printer friendly 1.99 pattern as a thank you to help pay you back.
Thank you so much and enjoy those little sweeties… they grow up fast!
Teresa Sadler
Toutle, WA
How sweet of you, thank you! <3
bellissima sara’ il mio prossimo lavoro.saluti
I think Im going to try this but only have 8ply and may just use a bigger hook!!
Bellos motivos, me encanta el tejido a crochet. He realizado varios trabajos para mis nietas y bisnietas, gracias y felicitaciones.
LOVE THIS BAG! Just finished it only I did the base color silver and the middle is a sea foamish/turquoise color and the top white. One this I will say I was SLIGHTLY dissapointed in the finished size (I thought would be bigger which I didn’t even check to see if u listed the dimensions which is my own fault. Would love to see a pattern for the same bag only larger. Still LOVE IT and thanks for sharing!
I made a couple for my kids teacher but they a bit on the small side for what we were hoping to do with them. Do you have a pattern for adding on to the width and length of this adorable bag?
Sorry, I don’t have a pattern for anything larger other than the measurements specified in the pattern 🙂