Step-by-step granny squares festival bag crochet project

Learn how to make this colourful crochet festival bag and enter my giveaway to win a copy of the fabulous “Granny Squares Weekend” book…This fun bag has the fresh appeal of boho chic. Surprisingly capacious, it is ideal for storing anything from essentials for a weekend trip to your towel and swimsuit for a trip to the beach. Emma Varnam, the author of Granny Squares Weekend, has allowed me to publish the step-by-step instructions to crochet this bag for yourself. Plus, I’m giving away a copy of the book in my competition below.The book is packed full of ideas for turning the humble crochet granny square into something special, including cushions, bunting, toys, clothing and placemats. I love the colourful photography throughout the book and it’s easy to follow so you’ll be sure to find a project to suit your skills in this lovely make-it-yourself craft book.Do you fancy accessorising your outfit with this retro-style bag when you head off to your next festival? Here’s the instructions for making the bag, from start to finish. The size of the completed bag will be 16½in (42cm) wide and 21½in (54cm) long including handles.

YOU WILL NEED

• Hayfield Bonus DK, 100% acrylic (306yd/280m per 100g ball):
  1 x 100g ball 887 Bright Pink (A)
  1 x 100g ball 961 White (B)
  1 x 100g ball 992 Pink (C)
  1 x 100g ball 824 Azure (D)
  1 x 100g ball 819 Bright Lemon (E)
  1 x 100g ball 886 Bright Green (F)
• 3.5mm (UK9:USE/4) crochet hook
• 4mm (UK8:USG/6) crochet hook
• 2 x D-shaped bamboo bag handles
• Tapestry needle

Tension is not essential for this project, but each square is approximately 6 x 6in (15 x 15cm) using a 4mm hook.

BASIC SQUARE (MAKE 13)

Using 4mm hook and A, ch 4 sts, sl st in first ch to form a loop.

Round 1: 3 ch, 2 tr in loop, 3 ch, (3 tr, 3 ch), rep twice more, sl st in 3 ch (4 tr clusters).

Round 2: Change to B, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next ch sp three times, sl st in 3 ch (8 tr clusters).

Round 3: Change to C, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next ch sp, *(3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next ch sp; rep from * twice more, sl st in 3 ch (12 tr clusters).

Round 4: Change to D, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 2 ch sp, *(3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 2 ch sp; rep from * twice more, sl st in 3 ch (16 tr clusters).

Round 5: Change to E, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, *(3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp; rep from * twice more, sl st in 3 ch (20 tr clusters).

Round 6: Change to F, attach yarn to any 3 ch sp, (3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 4 ch sp, *(3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 4 ch sp; rep from * twice more, sl st in 3 ch (24 tr clusters).

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Complete 13 squares using a combination of different colours.

HALF SQUARES (MAKE 2)

Using 4mm hook and A, ch 4 sts, sl st in first ch to form a loop.

Row 1: 4 ch, 3 tr in loop, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch, 1 tr. Fasten off (2 tr clusters).

Row 2: Change to B, attach yarn to 4 ch sp, (4 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in same ch sp, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch, 1 tr) in last ch sp. Fasten off (4 tr clusters).

Row 3: Change to C, attach yarn to 4 ch sp, (4 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in same ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next ch sp, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch, 1 tr) in last ch sp. Fasten off (6 tr clusters).

Row 4: Change to D, attach yarn to 4 ch sp, (4 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in same ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 2 ch sp, (3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 1 ch) in next 3 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch) in next 2 ch sp, (3 tr, 1 ch, 1 tr) in last ch sp. Fasten off (8 tr clusters).

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block the squares and half squares. Using the diagram as a guide, join the squares together using yarn A by placing a sl st in the back loop of each st in each square.

TOP SIDE EDGING

Round 1: Using 3.5mm hook and A, attach yarn to the corner of a square at the edge of the bag with a sl st, 1 ch, 1 dc into each st and each ch of 1 ch sp. Work down one side of the top edge of the bag and then up the other side. Repeat for the second side.

BAG HANDLE ATTACHMENTS (MAKE 2)

Round 1: With RS facing and using 3.5mm hook and A, attach yarn to the corner of a square at the right on one side of the bag with a sl st, 3 ch, 2 tr into 3 ch sp, 1 tr in the top on next 3 tr sts, 1 tr in ch sp, 1 tr in next 2 tr sts, 1 tr in the top of seam, working across the top of the half square; 2 tr in each of the ch sp (with 1 tr in space at base of central tr cluster), 1 tr in the top of seam, 1 tr in next 2 tr sts, 1 tr in ch sp, 1 tr in next 3 tr sts and 3 tr into 3 ch sp, turn (37 sts).

Rounds 2–4: Ch 3, 1 tr into each st along edge, turn (37 sts). Wrap the attachments over the bag handle and sew securely on the inside of the bag.

And there you have it! A funky festival bag that you can proudly say you made yourself! If, like me, you’re more of a beginner when it comes to crochet, don’t worry – the Granny Squares Weekend book shows you exactly how to get started with easy-to-understand diagrams and instructions.

Granny Squares Weekend by Emma Varnam, published by GMC (£14.99, available from www.thegmcgroup.com)

So if you’d like to win a copy of Granny Squares Weekend by Emma Varnam there are plenty of ways to enter my blog giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. Let me know what crafts you enjoy the most in the comments below for an extra entry. Best of luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway open to UK residents only. Competition runs from 2nd June – 24th June 2018. The giveaway entries will be recorded via Rafflecopter and 1 winner will be chosen at random from all entries after the competition closes. The winner will be contacted via email and will need to provide a delivery address to receive their prize. Please read my privacy policy for more information.

PIN THIS PROJECT FOR LATER..!