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Happy I Love Yarn Day!
Here at Stitch & Unwind, we are so excited to be celebrating this exciting day with you! We live and breathe all things fiber, so today is a great reason to come together, celebrate all the wonderful projects you can make with yarn, and #StitchItForward!
Plus, today is the last day of the I Love Yarn Day Crochet Along, so it’s time to bring all your hard work together and assemble the lovely Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag! And, it’s the LAST DAY to enter our wonderful giveaway, so be sure to scroll down and leave a comment. You could win a prize pack full of drool-worthy yarn goodies!
In case you missed it, you can find Days 1-5 of this week’s crochet along here.
Day 1 – Welcome to Stitch & Unwind’s I Love Yarn Day Crochet Along
Day 2 – Learn how to make the top left panel of the Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag
Day 3 – Learn how to make the bottom left panel of the Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag
Day 4 – Learn how to make the bottom right panel of the Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag
Day 5 – Learn how to make the top right panel of the Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag
Today, in honor of I Love Yarn Day, our friend Mary Beth Temple will be explaining how to stitch together all four panels of the messenger bag, as well as offer some insight regarding the bag’s assembly. The video will also explain why seaming is important, the proper way to construct the strap, whether or not you should line the bag, and what color you should choose for the bottom of the bag. You definitely do not want to miss this important installment!
The Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag is a wonderful way to learn various crochet techniques since the front of the bag features four distinct panels. This crochet along will help you expand your crochet colorwork vocabulary while still working with only one color of yarn at a time.
And now, without further ado, check out the sixth and final installment of the crochet along by watching this helpful step-by-step video tutorial:
Materials:
- Patons Shetland Chunky: 5 skeins #24107878046 Oxford Grey (MC), 1 skein each #24107878310 Lilac Lace (A), #24107878008 Aran (B), and #24107878416 Pretty in Pink (C)
- US size I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
Finishing and Assembly:
Strap/Gusset:
With MC, ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 10 sc
Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Rep Row 2 for pattern until strap measures 80” (or desired length), end off. In the model shown I did a 20” section in Color A to make the MC yarn last longer but you can make it all solid if you invest in another skein of MC.
Back:
With MC, ch 55.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 3, turn. 54 sc
Row 2: Dc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc in each dc across. Ch 3, turn.
Rep Rows 2 – 3 for pattern until work measures 16” tall, ending with a Row 3. End off.
Front:
Rep all instructions for Back.
Top Gusset:
With MC, ch 55.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 54 sc
Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Rep Row 2 for pattern until work measures 3”. End off.
Finishing:
Flap:
With MC, sc 4 colorwork panels together in order shown in photo, or desired order.
With MC, with RS facing and starting in top right corner, work 1 rnd sc around assembled flap, working 3 sc in each corner.
With MC, work crab st along right side, bottom, and left side of flap. End off.
Bag Assembly:
Sew beginning of strap/gusset to end of strap/gusset, being careful not to twist it.
Pin Back and Front to each side of Gusset, aligning color change section with bottom of bag if you made a 2-color gusset.
With RSs facing you each time and MC, sc Front and Back to Gusset, working 3 sc in each corner.
Top Gusset:
Pin Top Gusset into place with one long edge along top of Back and one long edge along top of Flap.
With RSs facing you each time, and MC, sc Top Gusset into place.
Weave in all ends.
Be sure to show off your I Love Yarn Day Crochet Along progress on social media by using the hashtags #StitchItForward and #ILoveYarnDay all week long. We would love to see the progress you’ve made on your Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag, as well as the finished product!
Don’t forget: if you missed any of the previous crochet along posts (Days 1-5), you can find them all here and learn how to create each panel.
PLUS, LAST CHANCE! Don’t forget to enter our I Love Yarn Day giveaway! One lucky reader will win all the goodies you see in the photo below, including yarn, ribbon, crochet hooks, stitch markers, a yarn ball winder, and an assortment of fabulous knit and crochet books! You have until 11:59 pm CST on Saturday, October 15th to enter, so be sure to leave a comment before the contest ends tonight! The winner will be announced right here on Monday, October 17th!
Official Contest Rules:
- Commenting on this page will enter you to win the prize. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
- The winner will be selected at random from the comments on this page.
- You have until October 15th, 2016 at 11:59 CST to leave your comment on this post, or any I Love Yarn Day post this week. Comments after that or on any other post will not be counted.
- Contest is open to anyone 18+ in the US and Canada. Void in Puerto Rico, the Province of Quebec and where prohibited.
- The winner will be contacted by the e-mail address provided in their account (please do NOT leave your e-mail address in the comments – you already provided it when you created your account.)
What do you love most about knitting or crocheting?
Stitch&Unwind
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I love the sense of accomplishment when I finish a knitting or crochet project.
I first learned to knit when I was in fifth grade but every time I made a mistake I had to wait until my mom could fix it-she knitted like a machine. In sixth grade my grandmother died and my grandfather gave me her crochet hooks, some yarn and a booklet on how to crochet, so I taught myself. I love crocheting because it goes faster and I can get more creative and do 3 dimensional crochet as well. I can work with or without patterns and with today’s choices in yarn it has become an addiction for me and I don’t want to be cured! I made my berry bag in purple, pink, white and turquoise. When I figure out how I will upload a picture.
I just found your site on Bloglovin’ and feel extremely lucky! I love learning new stitches and truly never realized there were so many in the land of crochet! Can’t wait to put this bag all together, and then see what’s next
I don’t knit or crochet but would love to learn. It seems like it is a relaxing hobby.
I have used yarn to do needlepoint, taught several children how to do it too.
I love crocheting and knitting. It is so relaxing. 🙂
The stress relief and relaxation it brings…. I also love all of the yarns and patterns available. I’m like a kid in a candy store when I go to Hobby Lobby. 🙂
this looks hard i tried to make it but couldn’t
#iloveyarnday
I have to tell you, that knitting is the best form of stress relief for me. It is something that I think anyone can enjoy. I started really getting into knitting after I moved to Newfoundland and had a little extra time on my hands. So I started with socks…well practiced making squares first then moved on to socks which with the help of YouTube turned out quiet well. Since then I have made a few major moves around and bumped into not only women but men also who are very skilled at the art of knitting. In all my moves I have not been able to collect all the things needed to complete a knitting basket . I am keeping my fingers crossed and my hopes high.
Thank you to everyone that shares their expertise online. If I didn’t have online support my knitting ability would not be where it is today.
#LoveYarnDay #LoveKnitting
I love the feeling of accomplishment when a project is finished. Nice to know you can create your own rather than buying. Make what you do unique! I love that creative people are so willing to share their patterns so others can enjoy the fruits of their work. Awesome!
I take crochet lessons at Michaels. I have learned so much and I’m now in the intermediate class working on a second afghan. I have so much fun and crocheting is such a great stress relief!
I love to crochet. I used to crochet in the car waiting to pick my two boys up from school. Now that they are grown & i am disability i take my crochet to the Dr.S appointments. It passes time creatively & allows me to work on any gifts i might want to make. Crocheting has been and still is a great way to focus on something positive. Thank you for all of the great free patterns, classes and information!
I love to knit and crochet, because it helps me relax.
I am saving this pattern to do later when I finish my current project!!
I would love to win this prize!!
I only know how to finger knit well. Need to brush up on knitting, so my favorite thing about knitting is when OTHER PEOPLE KNIT THINGS FOR ME, but I’m interested in learning to knit and crochet.
Crocheting is a relaxing hobby. I love seeing my finished projects. I entered a hat and clutch in the local fair this summer and won a first and third place ribbon. What an accomplishment!
Crocheting or knitting is therapy. Taking a piece of sting and creating something beautiful and useful. That is a reward. A treat to the sole. Passing the items on to family or friends, or someone in need, well that is what makes it all worth while. I love the feel and texture of yarn. I love the beautiful colors.
I end up with something warm, cozy and no one else has……
I love crocheting it helps me stay com and relax aND help by sharing my creation with family and friends
They love what I make
I love learning new things! This messenger bag looks fun. I like how each square incorporates a different stitch/pattern.
I love the way crochet relieves stress and the feeling of relaxation the very thought of it brings.
It takes stress away (unless I’ve made a huge mistake in the pattern!) and I love to give my creations away as gifts.
I love knitting and crocheting!
I am addicted to yarn!
I love the stress relief and I love making gifts for everyone.
Lovely prize for the giveaway! I also love how pretty the CAL bag turned out. Happy I Love Yarn day! Back to my current crochet project now.
I love the great feeling of accomplishment when I knit or crochet a project. There’s also so much love that goes into it.
I love that it keeps my hands busy and I can create lovely items for family and friends that they want and can use.
I love to joy that my kids get when I finish something for them. It is something they are truly grateful for.
Crocheting brings much pleasure as I make gifts for friends and also charities that I give to.
Thanks for the great patterns and contest!!!
I am always looking for new things to crochet and this will be an awesome project!
Working with beautiful colors and textures. Such a relief.
I love making crocheted or knitted projects. I feel less stress and a felling of great accomplishment. Most of what I make I give as gifts. My project now is an afghan for my bed. I added stitches to the sides and length. It is really looking good.
Thanks for all that you do! The tutorials, the patterns, the giveaways ….allvery much appreciated!!!
In regards to the question, I find crocheting to be very relaxing,and the feeling of accomplishment when a project is done is amazing!!
I find knitting very relaxing and like sharing my finished projects with friends and family.
I love yarn, patterns, learning new skills. This would be so much fun!
I like that I find crochet very relaxing.
I crochet Christmas gifts for family, then stuff for me…it’s relaxing and a great way to spend winter nights here in Colorado.
I simply love crocheting and knitting , as it gives me a sense of self worth and pride , to know that I have accomplished different goals, which I have set for myself.
To people I have sold to or given to charity groups, I am honored to see the smiling faces and gratitude.
Crocheting is so relaxing for me. And I love to make gifts for my family.
I enjoy being able to turn a ball of yarn into something – a sweater, scarf, Afghan, mittens, etc.
What I love about yarn? So many beautiful colors, incredible fibers, & endless possibilities!
The peace and calmness it brings.
is there a easier tutorial
#iloveyarnday
I crochet almost every day. I find it very relaxing and enjoy making a variety of projects. Mostly, I crochet while watching TV I would so enjoy winning this prize!
I crochet every night when I get home from work. I enjoy it and it is so relaxing, Thank you to my Grandmother who taught me 48 years ago how to crochet. I use to love sitting with her and crocheting. This project has been awesome too. Thank you, I LOVE YARN DAY!!
I love the peace I experience when I do knitting or crochet. The sense of accomplishment is high when I finish a project.