Knit Free-Color Bag

Size
15" wide x 9 1/2" tall (38 x 24 cm), excluding Strap

Materials
Lion Brand Glitterspun
60% Acrylic, 13% Polyester, 27% Cupro 1 ¾ oz (5Og) 115 yd (105 m) Ball
2 balls # 153 Onyx (A) or color of your choice

Lion Brand Homespun 98% Acrylic, 2% Polyester
6 oz (170g) 185 yd (167m) skein
1 skein # 312 Edwardian (B) or color of your choice

Lion Brand Wool-Ease
Chunky 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool 5 oz (140g) 153 yd (140m) Ball
1 ball # 107 Bluebell (C) or color of your choice

Lion Brand Fun Fur
100% Polyester 1 ¾ oz (50g) 64 yd (58m) Ball
1 ball # 132 Olive (D) or color of your choice

Size G-6 {4 mm} crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Size 1-9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Scraps of contrasting yarn to be used as markers
Large-eyed, blunt needle

Gauge
16 single crochet + 20 rows = 4" (10 cm) with A on smallest hook.
10 single crochet + 12 rows = 4" (10 cm) with B on middle-sized hook.
First 3 rounds of Bottom = 2" (5cm) across. Be sure to check your gauge.
 
Stitch Explanation
Stitch 2 together (single crochet decrease) Insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Note
This is a free-form design, composed of a Bottom, 2 Gussets, a Front, and a Back worked in rows to fit between the Gussets, a circular Flap, a Strap, and Trim Rows that are added later.
 
The materials used vary in gauge, and stitch count may need to be adjusted to keep work flat. The beauty of a free-form design is the uniqueness of each piece. Feel free to be creative and adjust your stitches to fit your own piece.
 
Bottom
Starting at bottom, with largest hook and A, chain 36.
 
Round 1 (Wrong Side)
Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across to last chain, 3 single crochet in last chain; working across opposite side of foundation chain, single crochet in each chain across to last chain, 2 single crochet in last chain.

Do not join. Work in a spiral, marking first stitch of each round, moving marker up as work progresses—74 single crochet.

Round 2
2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in each of next 34 single crochet, 2 single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet, single crochet in each of next 34 single crochet, 2 single crochet in each of next 2 single crochet—80 single crochet.

Round 3
Single crochet in each single crochet around.
 
Round 4
Single crochet in next single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in each of next 34 single crochet, [single crochet in next single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet] twice; repeat from once— 86 single crochet.
 
Round5
Single crochet in each single crochet around.
 
Round 6
Single crochet  in next 2 single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in each of next 34 single crochet, [sc in next 2 single crochet, 2 single crochet in next sc] twice. Repeat from once—92 single crochet.

Round 7
Single crochet in next 3 single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in each of next 34 single crochet, [single crochet in next 3 single crochet, 2 single crochet in next single crochet] twice. Repeat from once—98 single crochet.

Rounds 8-10
Single crochet in each single crochet around. At end of Round 10, join with slip stitch in next single crochet.

Round 11
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet around, working single crochet 2 together 3 times evenly spaced across each end of oval—92 single crochet.

Round 12
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet around, working single crochet 2 together 4 times evenly spaced across each end of oval—-84 single crochet.

Rounds 13-15

Chain 3, double crochet in each stitch around, loin with slip stitch in top of beginning chain—84 stitches. Place a marker in each of Rounds 13-15

Round 16
Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch around. Join with slip stitch in first single crochet.

Round 17
Chain 4, skip next single crochet, 'double crochet in next single crochet, chain 1, skip next single crochet; repeat from  around. Join with slip stitch in 3rd chain of beginning chain—42 chain 1-spaces. Fasten off A. Place a marker in this round.

Gussets
Note Gussets are now added at each end of Bottom. Front and Back are worked in rows, joining to Gussets at each end of each row.

First Gusset
Turn Bottom inside out so that wrong side is facing. With smallest hook, join A in center chain 1-space on one end of Bottom; chain 14.
 
Row 1
Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across, slip stitch in next double crochet in Round 17, slip stitch in next chain 1-space. Turn—13 single crochet.
 
Row 2
Single crochet in each single crochet across, 3 single crochet in end chain 1-space; working across opposite side of foundation chain, single crochet in each chain across, slip stitch in next double crochet in Round 17—29 single crochet. Fasten off.

Second Gusset
With smallest hook, join A in center chain 1-space on opposite end of Bottom. Chain 19.

Row 1
Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across, slip stitch in next double crochet in Round 1 7, slip stitch in next chain 1-space. Turn—18 single crochet.

Row 2
Single crochet in each single crochet across, 3 single crochet in end chain 1-space; working across opposite side of foundation chain, single crochet in each chain across, slip stitch in next double crochet in Round 1 7—39 single crochet. Fasten off.

Front
Row 1 (Right Side)
With wrong side of Bottom facing and middle-sized hook, join B in first chain 1-space to the left of First Gusset (shorter Gusset), chain 3. double crochet in same chain 1-space, double crochet in each chain 1-space across to Second Gusset (longer Gusset), single crochet in 2nd single crochet of Gusset, single crochet in next single crochet, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn-—22 stitches.
 
Row 2
Chain 1, single crochet in each double crochet across, single crochet in next 2 single crochet on Gusset, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn—24 single crochet.

Round 3
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet on  Gusset, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn—27 single crochet.

Row 4
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in next single crochet on Gusset, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn—28 single crochet.

Row 5
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet on Gusset, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn-—31 single crochet.

Row 6
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in each of next 2 single crochet of Gusset, slip stitch in next. Turn—33 single crochet.
 
Row 7
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet on Gusset, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn—36 single crochet.

Row 8
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in next single crochet of Gusset, slip stitch in each of next 2 single crochet on Gusset. Turn—37 single crochet.

Row 9
Do not chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet on Gusset, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn—40 single crochet. Fasten off B.

Top edge of Front should align with tops of Gussets. If necessary, continue to work in rows of single crochet, slip stitch in Gusset at end of each row, until Front aligns with tops of Gussets.

Back
Turn Bag right side out. With right side of Bottom facing and middle-sized hook, join B in first chain 1-space to the left of First Gusset (shorter Gusset), chain 3, double crochet in same chain 1-space, double crochet in each chain 1-space across to Second Gusset (longer Gusset), single crochet in 2nd single crochet of Gusset, single crochet in next single crochet, slip stitch in next single crochet. Turn—22 stitches.
 
Rows 2-6
Repeat Rows 2-6 of Front. Fasten off B. Join C.

Rows 7-9
With C, repeat Rows 7-9 of Front. Fasten off C.

Top Border
Round 1
With right side of Front facing and smallest hook, join A in top of First Gusset (shorter Gusset), chain 1, single crochet evenly spaced around Front and Back, increasing as necessary to keep work flat. Join with slip stitch in first single crochet.

Round 2 chain
1, single crochet in each single crochet around. Join with slip stitch in first single crochet. Fasten off A.

Flap
With C, chain 2.

Round 1 (Right Side)
Work 6 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook. Do not join. Work in a spiral, marking beginning of each round, moving marker up as work progresses—6 single crochet.
 
Round 2 [single crochet, chain 1] in each single crochet around—6 chain 1-spaces.

Round 3 [single crochet, chain 1] in each single crochet and each chain 1-space around—12 chain 1-spaces.

Round 4
[single crochet, chain 1] in each of next 3 chain 1-spaces, [single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, chain 1] in next chain 1-space. Repeat from around—15 chain 1-spaces.

Round 5
[single crochet, chain 1] in each of next 2 chain 1 -spaces, [single crochet, chain 1, single crochet, chain 1] in next chain 1-space. Repeat from around—20 chain 1-spaces. Fasten off C. Join B.

Round 6
With B, single crochet in each single crochet and each chain 1-space around—40 single crochet.

Note
Work now progresses in rows across bottom edge of Flap.

Row 7
Single crochet in each of next 14 single crochet. Turn—14 single crochet.

Rows 8-9
Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn. Fasten off B.

Flap Edging
Round 1 
With right side facing and smallest hook, join A in any single crochet; chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet and each row-end single crochet around. Join with slip stitch in first sc—46 single crochet. Fasten off.

Assembly
With right side of Flap and Back facing, position top edge of Flap (edge with only 1 round of B) centered on Top Border (does not need to be exact).
With large-eyed, blunt needle and A, sew center 6 stitches of Flap to corresponding stitches on Top Edging of Back.

Flap Trim
Row1 
With right side of Flap facing and smallest hook, leaving a tail for sewing, join A in first free single crochet on Top Border to the right of Flap.

Turn to work around Flap, single crochet in each of first 3 single crochet on Flap Edging, chain 1, [double crochet, chain 1] in each single crochet around to fast 3 stitches before joining, single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet, slip stitch in corresponding single crochet in

Top Border. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. With tails, sew last 3 stitches of last row to corresponding stitches on Top Border.
 
Continue Top Border
Row 1
With right side facing, join D in first single crochet on Top Border to the left of last slip stitch made in Flap Trim. Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet around to opposite side of Flap Trim. Turn. Fasten off D.

Row 2
With wrong side facing, join B in first single crochet, chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across, slip stitch in next 2 single crochet on Flap Trim. Turn. Do not fasten off. Place a marker at each end of center 6 stitches on Front.

Top Left Corner
Row 1 (Right Side)
Single crochet in each single crochet across Top Border to first marker. Turn.

Row 2
Chain 1, single crochet 2 together in first 2 stitches, single crochet in each single crochet across to last 2 stitches, single crochet 2 together in last 2 stitches, slip stitch in next 2 stitches on Flap Trim. Turn.

Row 3 Chain 1, single crochet 2 together in first 2 stitches, single crochet in each single crochet across to last 2 stitches, single crochet 2 together in last 2 stitches. Turn.

Rows 4-5
Repeat Rows 2-3, adjusting stitches as necessary on Flap side to keep work flat. Fasten off B.

Top Right Corner
Row 1 (Right Side)
With right side facing, join B in first stitch to the left of 2nd marked stitch on Front, chain 1, single crochet 2 together in next 2 stitches, single crochet in each single crochet across to last 2 stitches before Flap Trim, single crochet 2 together in last 2 stitches, slip stitch in next 2 stitches on Flap Trim. Turn.

Row 2
Chain 1, single crochet 2 together in first 2 stitches, single crochet in each single crochet across to last 2 stitches, single crochet 2 together in last 2 stitches. Turn.

Row 3
Chain 1, single crochet 2 together in first 2 stitches, single crochet in each single crochet across to last 2 stitches, single crochet 2 together in last 2 stitches, slip stitch in next 2 stitches on Flap Trim. Turn.

Rows 4-5
Repeat Rows 2-3, adjusting stitches as necessary on Flap side to keep work flat. Fasten off B.

Top Trim
Row 1
With right side of Back facing, flatten Bag, making folds directly above Gussets. Join A in top right corner. Working through double thickness, with smallest hook, chain 1, single crochet evenly spaced across to Flap.

Working in single thickness, single crochet in each double crochet and chain 1-space across Flap Edging; working across top left side, working through double thickness of Front and Back, single crochet evenly spaced across to corner. Fasten off A.

Front Trim
Row 1
With right side facing and smallest hook, join A in first free stitch on Front Edge, chain 1, single crochet evenly spaced across Front Edge. Fasten off.

Strap
With A, chain 150, or 4" (10cm) less than desired length.
Round 1
Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across to last chain, 3 single crochet in last chain. Place a marker in first of these 3 single crochet.

Working across opposite side of foundation chain, single crochet in each chain across to last chain, 2 single crochet in last chain, slip stitch in first single crochet.

Round 2
Chain 1, 2 single crochet in first single crochet, single crochet in each single crochet across to marked stitch, 2 single crochet in each of next 3 single crochet, single crochet in each single crochet across to last 2 single crochet, 2 single crochet in each of last 2 single crochet. Join with slip stitch in first single crochet. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Finishing
Lay one end of Strap over fold on one end of Bag, positioned about 2" (5 cm) below top edge. Sew end of Strap in place. Without twisting Strap, position and sew other end of Strap to opposite side of Bag.

Trim Row 1
With right side facing and Bottom on top, join B around the post of first double crochet in first marked row near Bottom of Bag. Chain 1, single crochet around the post of each double crochet around. Fasten off.
 
Trim Row 2
Repeat Trim Row 1 in 2nd marked row from bottom.

Trim Row 3
With C, repeat Trim Row 1 in 3rd marked row from bottom.

Trim Row4
With D, repeat Trim Row 1 in 4th marked row from bottom. Weave in ends.