Dragon Fly Bag
Our Laura Jean was inspired by the dragonfly stitch and decided to make herself a backpack bag. It's not too big and not too small, to Laura Jean, it's just right.
Being a team member of The Crochet Crowd, she took a few weeks to design her very first pattern. For her it was a challenge as she is used to following instructions but to actually write it is a whole other story. We here are proud of her.
This is the Crochet Dragonfly Bag pattern.
More Ideas
- 7 Dish Lovers Crochet Dishcloth Patterns
- Crochet Healing Stitches Afghan Pattern
- Heart Squares Dishcloth or Afghan Pattern
- Crochet Table Top Crochet Wreath + Tutorial
- Crochet Big Stitch Hat + Cowl Pattern
The bag is 18" tall x 12" Diameter. Gauge is 14 dc sts x 7 Rows (4" x 4" gauge).
Materials
- Color A: 2 balls of Peaches & Crème Black Currant (purple) 2.5 ounces/70.9g
- Color B: 1 ball of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Lime 2.5 ounces/70.9g
- Color C: 2 balls of Peaches & Crème Lilac 2.5 ounces/70.9g
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Hook size H or 5 mm Hook
- Stitch Marker
You should know that Peaches & Creme Yarn is only available at Walmart USA. You can substitute with Lily Sugar'n Cream or Bernat Handicrafter should you not find Peaches and Creme. The balls in Lily Sugar'n Cream are the same size and yardage.
Abbreviations
Laura Jean used standard abbreviations but has a special stitch as indicated below.
- Mc, ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, and fptc.
- At the beginning of a round, ch 3 or 2 counts as a st.
Special Stitch: split sc; go between the vertical posts instead of under the horizontal “v”.
Broad Band: Broad bands are referred in this pattern. Notice the lime lines that separate the black current and lilac colours. Those are the broad bands.
Instructions
Laura Jean has designed this so that Rounds 2 - 15 are done in a continuous round. This means no slip stitching but you will need to use a stitch marker to keep track of each round as you progressively get bigger. This is the bottom purple area in the picture.
- 6 sc into ring.
- 2 sc into each sc around (12) Do Not Join, Place Marker in last sc. Move stitch marker up every row as you go.
- Sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sc , (inc made) (18)
- Sc in next 2 sc, inc in the next sc (24)
- Sc in next 3 sc, inc in the next sc (30)
- Sc in next 4 sc, inc in the next sc (36)
- Sc in next 5 sc, inc in the next sc (42)
- Sc in next 6 sc, inc in the nest sc (48)
- Sc in next 7 sc, inc in the next sc (54)
- Sc in next 8 sc, inc in the next sc (60)
- Sc in next 9 sc, inc in the next sc (66)
- Sc in next 10 sc, inc in the next sc (72)
- Sc in next 11 sc, inc in the next sc (78)
- Sc in next 12 sc, inc in the next sc (84)
- Sc around, sl st in next st. Fasten off Color A (84) Do not move Stitch Marker. You will no longer be crocheting in continuous rounds. This is where the straps will be attached.
- First broad band. Notice the Lime Colour B as being the start of broad bands. Join Color B. Ch 2, Hdc in each st around join with sl st in top of ch 2, fasten off. (84)
- Join Color C. Beg. Ch 3 counts as a dc here and throughout. Dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. (84)
- Ch 3, counts as a dc. Dc in next 10 dc, * ch 2, *skip 1 dc, dc in next 11, ch 2 rep from * around join with sl st in top of ch 3. Join with sl st .
- Sl st in the next 3 sts, Beg. ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, *ch 3 skip 3 dc prev round, sc in ch-2 sp from prev. round, ch 3, skip 3 dc and dc in the next 5 dc. Rep from * around end with a sl st in top of beginning chain.
- Sl st in next st. Ch 3, counts as a dc, dc in next 2 sts * ch 4, split sc in sc from previous round, ch 4, dc in next 3 sts. Rep from * around. END WITH CH 4, Join with sl st to top of beginning chain 3.
- Beg. ch 3, dc in next 2 dcs, * 4 dc in in ch-4 sp, fptrc in sc, 4dc in ch-4 sp, dc in next 3 dc, rep from * around. End with sl st in beginning ch 3. Fasten off Color C. Join color B in same place.
- Second broad band. With Color B, Beg. Ch 2 counts as a beginning hdc. Hdc around sl st to top of ch 2 Fasten off. Join color A with sl st.
- With Color A, Dc in each st around join with sl st. ***Notice that the dragonflies in the following band are offset and do not sit on top of each other.
- Sl st in next 2 sts, Beg. ch 3, dc in next 10 sts, * ch 2, skip 1 st from previous round, dc in next 11 sts, rep from star around. (7 ch-2 spaces and 7 sets containing 11 dcs)
- Sl st in next 3 sts. Beg. ch 3, 4 dc, ch 3, skip 3 from prev round * sc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, skip 3 from prev round. 5 dc, ch 3, rep from * around join to top of ch 3.
- Sl st into next stitch, Beg.ch 3, 2 dc, skip dc from previous round, ch 4, *split sc in sc, ch 4, skip dc from previous round, 3 dc, ch 4, rep from * around join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3.
- Beg. ch 3, 2 dc, * 4 dc in ch-4 sp, fptr in sc, 4 dc in ch-4 sp, 3 dc rep from * around join to top of beginning chain 3. Fasten off Change to Color B.
- This round begins the third broad band. With Color B, hdc around (84) Change to Color C.
- Dc in each st, around. Join (84)
- Sl st in next 2 sts, Beg.ch 3, dc in next 10 sts, * ch 2, skip 1 st from previous round, dc in next 11 sts, rep from star around. Join with sl st in top of beg, ch 3. (7 ch-2 spaces and 7 sets containing 11 dcs)
- Sl st in next 3 sts. Beg. ch 3, 4 dc, ch 3, skip 3 dc from prev round * sc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, skip 3 from prev round, 5 dc, ch3, rep from * around join to top of ch 3.
- Sl st into next stitch, Beg.ch 3, 2 dc, skip dc from previous round, ch 4, *split sc in sc, ch 4, skip dc from previous round, 3 dc, ch 4, rep from * around join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3.
- Ch 3, 2 dc, * 4 dc in ch-4 sp, fptrc around split sc , 4 dc in ch-4 sp, 3 dc rep from * around join to top of beginning chain 3. Fasten off Change to color A.
- 4th and Last Broad band. With Color B, Beg. ch-2, hdc around join with sl st (84) Change to Color A.
- Beg ch-3, dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top off beg ch-3 (84)
- Beg Ch-3, dc in next 10 sts, * ch 2, skip 1 st from previous round, dc in next 11 sts, rep from * around. (7 ch-2 spaces and 7 sets containing 11 dcs)
- Sl st in next 3 sts. Beg. ch-3, 4 dc, ch 3, skip 3 from previous round * sc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, skip 3, 5 dc, ch 3, skip 3 from previous round, rep from * join with sl st.
- Sl st into next stitch, Beg.ch 3, 2 dc, skip dc from previous round, ch 4, *split sc in sc, ch 4, skip dc from previous round, 3 dc, ch 4, rep from * around join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3.
- Beg Ch-3, 2 dc, * 4 dc in ch-4 sp, fptr around split sc , 4 dc in ch-4 sp, 3 dc rep from * around join to top of beginning chain 3. Fasten off .
- With color B, hdc around (84) Fasten off and join Color C.
- Chain 4, counts a trc, trc in each st around. This is the round that will have the strap feed through. Fasten off and weave in ends.
The Strap
The strap is one long strap that is continuous. The strap is 5 feet long and sewn together on both ends once it is fed through the project.
Laura Jean has four options for making this strap. Pick the option you prefer the best.
Option 1
- Leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the next 2 sts. Ch 1, turn.
- Sc in next 3 sts, ch 1 turn.
- Rep Row 3 until it is 5 feet long.
Option 2 - Strongest Option
Make and I-cord using a spool knitter.
- Knit until 5 feet long.
Option 3 - Quick Option
- Using 4 strands of yarn at the same time. Using 6 mm or Size J hook, chain 5 feet long.
Option 4 - Grosgrain Ribbon
- Cut ribbon to be 5 feet long.
To Feed the Strap Through
- Lay the bag out flat.
- The number of stitches around are 84, half of the stitches, 42, divided by two is 21. Count 21 stitches from the right. Weave the Strap in and out through the trebles. 2 trebles are behind, 2 trebles are in front. Feed all the way around the bag.
- Then bring the ends even and sew to the bottom of the bag where you stopped increasing. Look at the picture above to see the location.
Tip
Don't be jinsy on the sewing, make sure you take your time and sew tightly as the user of the bag may shove more stuff in this bag weighing it down than you planned for.
Vanessa Ingraham says
Love, love, love this bag. I have some cotton and will give this bag a try this weekend! I have a bunch of day trips planned with my grandson and I think this bag will be perfect for my phone, wallet and keys and whatever other things we might need.
Great job at your first pattern Laura Jean! This was a grand slam!
Laura Jean Bartholomew says
Thank you so much! I am looking forward to hearing you feedback! - Laura Jean
Laura Jean Bartholomew says
Laura Jean here 🙂 I have updated and revised The Dragon Fly back pack / purse, on June 2. Please accept my apologies for any inconvience.
Lilli A. says
Hi guys! I love this bag! I'm trying hard to make it, and I do have some experience with crochet. Also, I took the time to watch the video recommended in the comments. However, by the time I get to steps 7 and 8, I'm not just increasing by 6 each time. My counts are off by a stitch. Where it says the end count is 48, I've got 49. I'm so confused. Should I be increasing by 6, or should I be following the recommended " sc in next 5/6/7" etc. inc in next sc?? Thank you for your time