Welcome to Part 1 of the Wildflower Shoulder Bag CAL! I’ve been working on this for quite a while and am really pumped to finally get started. Over the next 3 weeks, we’re going to be making a gorgeous crochet purse together. If this is the first time you’ve heard of the CAL, be sure to check out this post that lists all of your needed materials. Even if you’re a little late to the party, you can still join in!
Please click here for a complete listing of all translations and their links.
And, don’t forget to join the Wildflower Shoulder Bag CAL Facebook Group to share your progress, get tips from others, and maybe answer a question or two yourself. We’re in it together, and that’s what makes it fun!
The schedule for the CAL is as follows:
June 25: Start Here! Intro Post and Materials List
July 2: Part 1, Flower Squares (this post)
July 9: Part 2, Body of the Bag
July 16: Part 3, Base, Embellishments and Strap
Each pattern post will include clear instructions, helpful photos, and a great tutorial video. When you’re done with each week’s assignment, head over to the Facebook Group to share your progress. And don’t forget to enter yourself in the giveaway, down below the pattern. There will be new opportunities to add entries each week, so pay attention!
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Ad-Free PDF
If you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free, concise PDF version (American Standard Version only), you can find it on Ravelry or Etsy!
View on Ravelry –|– View on Etsy
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So grab your chosen hook and yarn, and let’s get started! (Scroll down for the pattern and tutorial video!)
TUTORIAL VIDEO
Visual learner? Here’s a helpful video. I actually make the entire square on camera, since I know this will be the first time that many of you have made a square motif before. If you’re only going to use the video as a reference, here’s a helpful breakdown:
0:39 Round 1
3:48 1st Round of Petals
7:46 Round 2
10:28 2nd Round of Petals
13:03 Rounds 3-7
Video not showing up? Try refreshing the page, and if that doesn’t work, click here.
WILDFLOWER SHOULDER BAG PART 1: WILDFLOWER SQUARE MOTIFS
Hook: H (5.00mm) OR whichever hook you’ve chosen for this project
Yarn: Cotton-Ease (more than 1 skein) OR whichever yarn you’ve chosen for this project
Difficulty: Easy
Gauge: Not really important. Make sure you are using a hook that gives you a tighter stitch rather than a looser one.
You’ll also need: Yarn needle and scissors
Notes:
(1) You’ll need 6 of these squares.
(2) Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
(3) Note that some of the instructions call for FLO (Front Loop Only) and BLO (Back Loop Only). This is crucial for building the center flower.
(4) You will not turn at any point.
(5) A lot of people’s squares are looking like pinwheels (curved corners). If your square is curving, you probably need to better understand the anatomy of a stitch. Take a look at this helpful resource from Look At What I Made: Corners and the Elusive Hidden Stitch.
To begin:
Make a Magic Circle; CH2.
Round 1: 12DC in magic circle. Join to first DC with a SL ST. (12)
1st Round of Petals (FLO): CH2. In same St, 2DC, CH2, SL ST. This is your first petal. (SL ST to next St. In same St, CH2, 2DC, CH2, SL ST to same St) around. SL ST to base of 1st CH2. (12 petals)
Round 2 (BLO – You’re now going to work around Round 1 again, this time working in the loop that you ignored during the first round of petals): SL ST to 1st back loop of Round 1. CH2. 2DC in same ST. 2 DC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to first DC. (24)
These screenshots from the tutorial video show the circle of back loops you’ll be using (1st photo) and the completed round from the back (2nd photo):
2nd Round of Petals (FLO): CH2. DC in same ST. In next ST, DC, CH2, SL ST. (SL ST to next St, CH2, DC in same ST. In next ST, DC, CH2, SL ST) around. SL ST to base of 1st CH2. (12 petals)
This is the completion of the flower center. We now move on to turning it into a square.
Round 3: SL ST to 1st back loop of Round 2. CH2. In same ST, 2DC, CH2, 2DC. HDC in each of the next 2 STS. SC in next. HDC in each of the next 2 STS. (In next ST, 2DC, CH2, 2DC. HDC in each of the next 2 STS. SC in next. HDC in each of the next 2 STS.) Repeat ( ) 2 more times. Join to first DC with a SL ST.
Round 4: CH1. HDC evenly around the square, putting (2HDC, CH2, HDC*) in each corner chain space. Join to first HDC with a SL ST. (You’ll end up with 12 HDC stitches per side.) *Don’t miss that ONE HDC in the chain space. It’s not a typo 🙂
Round 5: CH1. HDC evenly around the square, putting (2HDC, CH2, HDC) in each corner chain space. Join to first HDC with a SL ST. (You’ll end up with 15 HDC stitches per side.)
Round 6: CH1. HDC evenly around the square, putting (2HDC, CH2, HDC) in each corner chain space. Join to first HDC with a SL ST. (You’ll end up with 18 HDC stitches per side.)
Round 7: CH1. SC evenly around the square, putting (SC, CH2, SC) in each corner chain space. Join to first SC with a SL ST. (You’ll end up with 20 SC stitches per side.)
Fasten off and weave in ends. (You can attach your buttons at this point, if you’ve chosen to embellish your flower centers.)
This pattern is not complete, why? Do I have to watch the tutorial?..I am a seasoned crocheter and would like the whole pattern if that is possible!
I already have the flower motifs, I just need the rest of the pattern.
Thanks,
Hope
Please scroll back up to the blog post to find the complete schedule and links. This was originally a crochet-along, so it was divided into a few different weeks. 🙂
Just found you on Pinterest. Going to crochet this bag for my mother for Christmas. Thanks so very much.
I have started the squares using DK 100% cotton yarn. The yarn is very soft and has no stretch at all. I am worried that the bag will end up flimsy and will not retain its shape. What do you think? Should I stop now and go and search for an acrylic blend rather?
I think a lot of people went with 100% cotton and were happy with it. It’s totally up to you. If you can line the bag with fabric, your yarn choice won’t matter as much. Best of luck! 🙂
Hey! i love your Purse and im working on mine now. i have one question on the rows that im putting 1 HDc in every stitch and thenon the corners 2HDC cd2 then 1 HDC. i been getting 11 instead of 12 do you know what im doing wrong?
You are probably missing the first stitch after you round the corners. It tends to get hidden. A lot of people had the same issue. 🙂 Dedri from LookAtWhatIMade has an awesome tutorial for it that will probably help you: http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/crochet-tutorials/crochet-corners-elusive-hidden-stitch/
Here’s my first square! I’m so excited!! I think it’s so pretty! Thank you for this CAL, Rebecca!
[IMG]http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc321/kc71595/image.jpeg[/IMG]
Loving this bag. Will surely end up makin g several for my grand daughters.
I received notice in my email s on the 1s section but the released on the 2nd section I never received. Now I’m worried about the final sections. HELP!
The links can all be found here: http://littlemonkeyscrochet.com/wildflower-shoulder-bag-cal-july-2015/
I’m also curious how much difference it would be in yardage (and what I’d need) if I were to do just the flower part of the ‘flower squares’ in a contrasting color? – so just the flowers in, e.g., a muted aqua and the rest of that square in the stone/background color?
Looks like the flower petals use a good bit of yarn….
I’m not asking for exact numbers….never! but just to have an idea….I love the stone with an aqua type color – think it would be very pretty for a purse (and I DO like the stone!)
Not sure. Definitely less than a skein.
I love this cal. Thank you for putting your valuable time and talent for us to use. I dont know how to add a photo of my work so far, or for the giveaway so i guess i will just post on the facebook page my progress.
I can’t get the link to stop loading in order to add my photo for the giveaway.
I’m not sure. I would try exiting, and returning and trying again.
I got the part 1 but now can’t get the part 3. IWhere can I find it?
I’m sorry. Part 2 is what I meant.
Dee, the pattern is part of a CAL and is being released in 3 installments. Part 2 will be released Thursday, July 9. 🙂
Please help – I’ve finished Part 1, how do I get Part 2 and Part 3?
Searched everywhere for the links but unable to find it..
Part 2 will be released Thursday, July 9.
My first CAL and enjoying this project. Not sure I will use the button in pic hoping to fine something to pop. For now these are the buttons I will use.
What will be the overall measurement of the bag part be….approx?
It all depends on your yarn, but mine is 15″ wide and about 13″ tall (Cotton-Ease and a 5.0mm hook).
I have ordered a set of your amazing hook markers and look forward to receiving them. What a wonderful idea. I tend to have multiple projects on the go at the same time and many of them use the same hook size. Will there be a possibility of ordering a size on its own? For example, I currently have 4 projects that use a 4mm hook (I’m sorry don’t the US size off the top of my head), so I could really use 5 or 6 of this size. Also do you have any plans to make these available in the metal hook sizes (smaller than 3mm)?
Thank you for your order! At this point I’m just testing the product, so I’ll look into expanding into other measurements if all goes well. There is an option to customize your set in the Etsy listing – you can get a set of 4 or a set of 12 of whichever letters you want. 🙂
ThankYou for this cal.I can’t figure out how to enter giveaway.
Under the photo of the WIP Hook Markers, you need to log in to the giveaway form with your Facebook or email address, then follow the instructions.