Patterns

Gemstone Bag Crochet Pattern

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The Gemstone pattern collection now has a new addition – a bag! When I got the idea to make a bag in this style, I knew the Gemstone stitch combination would be a perfect fit. I absolutely love the texture and look of this bag from the fun “gemstones” in the body, to the shape of the straps, and finishing with the bunny ear ties at the top. And the best part? This bag works up fairly quickly once you get the hang of the stitch. I gave my testers a two week testing window and some of them made 3 (or more!) bags in that timeframe! Wow!


This pattern has instructions for 2 sizes – a small bag (approximately 8″ across when laid flat) and a large bag (approximately 11″ across). However, the bag is really easy to tailor to whatever size you want. Plus, the straps are completely customizable to your desired length. Wear it as a shoulder bag, a beach bag, or make a fun Mommy & Me set with the two different sizes!

This pattern is worked from the bottom up, first in the round to form the base and body of the bag, then in turned rows to work each strap individually. The bag straps are finished off with bunny ears at the top and then a slip stitch edging is made around the straps to make a nice clean finish. I personally find cotton yarn the best to use for making bags, although some people find success with acrylic. I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton when I designed it, but Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, Peaches & Cream, WeCrochet Dishie, or other mid-weight worsted cotton would also be great alternatives.


Get the full pattern as an ad-free PDF in my Ravelry Shop or Etsy Shop.
Through July 3rd, 2022, you can get ALL of the Gemstone patterns, including this one, for 20% off (no code needed)! Those on my email list often get extra perks, so make sure to sign up before my next pattern releases! Sign up here!

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Pattern Details

Pattern Difficulty: Advanced Beginner

Materials:
*Crochet Hook: H/5.0mm, or what is required to match gauge
*Yarn: Approximately 200-375 yards of #4/worsted weight yarn
*Yarn needle for weaving in ends
*Scissors
*Measuring tape
*Stitch markers (optional)

Stitches Used:
st(s): stitch(es)
ch: chain
slst: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 together/sc decrease
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
dfpdc: double front post double crochet (click here to see how to make this stitch!)

Be sure to check out my Instagram page to see all of the versions my testers made or check out my Gemstone Bag pattern Instagram Guide for color inspiration!

When you make one, be sure to share a photo of your finished product with me! When posting on social media be sure to tag @fromnicolescreations and use hashtags #crochetgemstonebag, #crochetgemstonecollection, and #fromnicolescreations! I can’t wait to see when you make!

Stitch Turorial

Stitch Tutorial: Double Front Post Double Crochet

The “double front post double crochet” (abbreviated: dfpdc) is not a stitch you may have heard of before, but it’s one I’ve been loving a lot lately. Three of my collections this past fall – Drifting Leaves, Bonfire, and Gemstone – featured this stitch and I’m not done with it yet! In fact, I have at least two upcoming patterns that will use it and one is going to be offered free here on the blog, so I thought I’d teach you how to do the stitch before those patterns release.

Drifting Leaves
Bonfire
Gemstone

If you are familiar with the front post double crochet or the alpine stitch, then you should have no problem picking this one up. It’s basically a front post double crochet, but you go around the post twice to draw up loops instead of once to create the extra squishiness of the stitch. Easy, right? So let’s get into it!

To start, you need a base row of stitches (most commonly double crochet stitches) so you have posts to work around. To work the stitch, yarn over and insert your hook around the post of the dc from the row below (A)

Yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Pull up on the loop until it’s about even with your working row (B), then yarn over and insert your hook around the same dc post and pull up another loop, (5 loops on hook) (C)

Yarn over and pull through 4 loops (2 loops left on hook) (D)

Yarn over and pull through the remaining 2 loops (E)

Working around the post takes the place of working in the stitch, so make sure you skip the stitch behind the post stitch.

And that’s it! Depending on what you plan to do with the stitch, you need to make sure to have at least one regular double crochet between the dfpdc stitches so they don’t become too crowded. They look great spaced out, like in my Drifting Leaves patterns, or clustered together, like patterns in my Gemstone collection. Also, pro tip: if you use this stitch in turned rows, put a row of single crochet stitches after each dfpdc row so the stitches all pop out on the same side of your work! If you are working in the round, you can use the row of single crochet or not, it works both ways.

Go ahead and practice this stitch so you are ready when my new patterns release! If you are interested in any of my existing patterns using this stitch, you can find them here:

Drifting Leaves:
Beanie Etsy Ravelry
Headband/Cowl Bundle Etsy Ravelry

Bonfire:
Beanie Etsy Ravelry
Headband Etsy Ravelry
Cowl Etsy Ravelry

Gemstone:
Beanie Etsy Ravelry
Headband Etsy Ravelry
Cowl Etsy Ravelry
Cup Cozies Etsy Ravelry

Sunstar Scrubbie Etsy Ravelry

Until next time!