MY RASTA COLOUR DUFFLE BAG.

Materials.

A 6 mm crochet hook.

Yarn of preferred colour and size. I used robin chunky acrylic yarn. I used five different colours. My main colour was black and my other colours were blue for the base, rasta colours- red, yellow and green.

A tapestry needle.

A pair of scissors.

A measuring tape.

Stitches used.

Single crochet stitches (sc sts).

Chain stitches (Ch sts).

Variations of the double crochet stitches (dc sts)

The pattern.
The bag is worked in about three to four steps.

Working the base.

This happens to be where my project begins since my duffle bag is worked from the base upwards. The base is worked in circles using single crochet stitches.

Round 1: Using the magic circle technique, work 6 sc inside the magic circle. If you do not know how to use the magic circle, you can make a chain of two stitches then in the first stitch work five more sc stitches to make a total of 6 sc stitches for your first round.

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each st around ; you will have a total of 12 sts for your second row.

Round 3: Work 1 sc then 2 sc stitches in the next st.

*1 sc, 2 sc* repeat this all round.

Round 4: Work 2 sc in the first 2 sts then 2 sc in the next st.

*2 sc, 2 sc in same st* repeat all round.

Round 5: Work 3 sc in the first 3 sts  then 2 sc in the next st.

*3 sc, 2 sc in next stitch* repeat all round.

Round6: Work 4 sc  in the first four stitches then 2 sc in the next st.

*4 sc, 2 sc in next stitch*.

Round 7: Work 5 sc in the first 5 stitches then 2 sc in next st.

So you keep on working your increase until you get a total number of stitches that is divisible by fourteen.

I worked about 21 rounds and had a total of 126 sc stitches in my last round (12 inches for the base) then I worked one row of sc stitches all round normally.

Working the body.

After working the base, you can pretty much continue working the body with any stitch depending on the pattern and the final look that you want to achieve.

I used the chevron pattern which is also called a crochet ripple. It basically looks like an inverted ‘V’ shaped pattern which is achieved by repeating different variations of the same stitch e.g dc, sc or hdc stitches across a row or around.

These variations comprise of increases and decreases at certain intervals across the row. You will notice that the increases  will be creating high points that will look like the peak of a mountain and the decreases will be creating low points that look like valleys.

I used the following variations of dc sts:

Work 3 dc sts with one top then in each of the next 3 stitches work 1 dc, in the next two stitches work 3 dc stitches in each stitch, then in each of the next 3 stitches work 1dc stitch and in the last 3 stitches work 3 dc with one top.

*3 dc with one top, 3 dc in next 3 sts, 3 dc in next, 3 dc in next, 3 dc in next 3 stitches, 3dc with one top* repeat this all round working in the back loops only.

Working in the back loops creates a ribbed pattern. You can change your yarn according to your preference. I worked my bag to a height of about 17 inches then worked one more row to bring all my stitches to the same height.

The row is worked by repeating  *1 hdc, 2 dc in the next, 3 hdc, 4 sc, 2 hdc, 6 dc, 2 hdc, 4 sc*.

Work one row of sc stitches all round. You will then go ahead to work another row where our strainer will go through by working *7 sc, chain 2 then skip a stitch and sc in the next st* repeat this across the row.

Work one final row of sc stitches around in the back loops only. The body of your project is now complete.

The strainer/handles.

The third part is where you put your strainer and the handles for your bag. I decided to use my handles as my strainer too.

To make the strainer/ handles, work a foundation chain of about 260 sts then work one row of dc stitches.

Pass the strainer/ handles through the chain 2 spaces you made and after making sure that the strainer has gone through all the required openings use your tapestry needle to join the two bases of your strainer to where the base of your project joins the body of your project. You now have both the strainer and the handles in place.

Sew in your lining.

This part is optional since you can use your bag without the lining.

Remember to weave in your loose ends.

Thought conditioner.

You can reach your goal, your best dreams can come true , you can get where you want to go only if you know what your goal is. You cannot expect the best if you think aimlessly.

If you want to get somewhere, you must decide definitely where you want to be or what you want to accomplish. Be sure it is the right objective then photograph this objective on your mind and hold it there. Work hard, believe in it and the thought will become so powerful that it will tend to assure success.

Take the best into your mind, nurture it, concentrate on it, emphasize it, visualize it, prayerise it, surround it with faith. Make it your obsession. Expect the best and spiritually creative mind-power aided by God power will produce the best.

#Thepowerofpositivethinking.