How to Crochet Jester's Bag of Square Tricks

Crochet Jester's Bag of Square Tricks

I was challenged by our team here at The Crochet Crowd to create a bag using only 2 balls of Bernat Maker Home Dec Yarn.  Mikey had just completed his Jester's Bag of Entrelac Tricks.  I thought a bit for something different, but was so inspired by his fun design, decided to just put my own spin on it by making this Jester's Bag of Square Tricks.

I thought, I'll just do basically the same bag with square squares instead of the diamond squares of the Entrelac.  I had never tried the tapestry technique of carrying the yarn, but it really wasn't too tough.  I love the way the opposite color peeks thru the design.

The bag is nice a roomy for beach towels or even a project bag.  This holds 2 Caron One Pound skeins or 3 Bernat Super Value balls and still have room for a project.  The sling strap makes it very comfortable to tote around.

When you upload your project to The Crochet Crowd Stitch Social Group or Instagram, feel free to tag me so I can see what you have crocheted.  Follow me on Instagram @ jeannestein or on Facebook.  My designs can also be saved in your Ravelry favorites by following me HERE.

This Bag Uses Tapestry Crochet Techniques

It's the technique of burying one yarn strand in the stitch and carrying it over.

Yarn
Bernat Maker Home Dec
Color A - Aqua - 1 Ball
Color B - Gold - 1 Ball

Hook
8 mm / L Hook

Sizing
14” Tall x 14” Dia

Abbreviations
Appox = Approximately
Beg = Begin(ning)
Blo = Back Loop Only
Ch = Chain
Rep = Repeat
Sl St = Slip Stitch
Sc = Single Crochet
Dc = Double Crochet
Rnd = Round
RS = Right Side

Instructions
Note - Ch 3 at beg counts as dc.

Begin with Color A to make bottom portion of bag.

Rnd 1: Ch 4, 11 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st to beg ch-3. - 12 dc
Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in st around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 24 dc
Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 36 dc
Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 st; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 48 dc
Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 3 st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 st, rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 60 dc
Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 4 st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 st, rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 72 dc
Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 5 st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 st, rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 84 dc

Begin working the sides and adding in Color B. You will be working this tapestry style by carrying the non-working color through the stitches and not behind them. Some of the color will peek through the stitches, but that just adds interest to the pattern.

Rnd 8: Work in BLO this round ONLY, ch 3, dc in next 6 st, changing to color B in last st, dc in next 7 st, changing to color A in the last st, *dc in next 7 st, changing to color B in last st, dc in next 7 st, changing to color A in the last st; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3, taking care to carry color B up also into the sl st.
Rnd 9 thru 11: Rep rnd 8. At the end of rnd 11, don’t change to color A, but continue with color B.
Rnd 12: Continuing with color B, ch 3, dc in next 6 st, changing to color A in last st, dc in next 7 st, changing to color B in the last st, *dc in next 7 st, changing to color A in last st, dc in next 7 st, changing to color B in the last st; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3, taking care to carry color A up also into the sl st.
Rnd 13 thru 15: Rep rnd 12. At the end of rnd 15, don’t change to color B, but continue with color A.
Rnd 16 thru 19: Rep rnd 8 thru 11.
Rnd 20 thru 23: Rep rnd 12 thru 15.
Rnd 24 thru 27: Rep rnd 8 thru 11. At the end of rnd 27, finish off color B.
Rnd 28: Working in BLO, ch 3, dc in next 4 st, dc2tog, *dc in next 5 st, dc2tog; rep from * around, sl st to beg ch-3. - 72 dc

Rnd 29: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 st, ch 1, sk 1 st; rep from * around, sl st to beg sc.
Rnd 30: Ch 3, dc in each st and ch-1 sp around.
Rnd 31: Ch 1, reverse sc around, sl st to beg rsc. Finish off.

Draw String
Size - 34” Long

With Color B, ch 105.

Row 1: Sc second ch from hook. Sc in each chain across. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Feed draw string through holes by ch-1 sp on rnd 29.

Strap
Size - 28” Long

With Color B, ch 80

Row 1: Sc second ch from hook. Sc in each chain across. Turn.
Row 2 - 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Looking at the bag with the front draw string coming out. Turn over the bag and find the middle of the back of the bag. Sew the strap to the line created by the BLO of rnd 28 using top edge of strap going down to 1” to do a secure attaching job. Do the same for the bottom of the strap. Follow the boxes down from the top to find the bottom square and sew up from BLO of rnd 8. Sew generously into position.

Designs by Jeanne

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