Hi everyone!  Wow, it has been quite a few weeks since I’ve posted a new pattern.  I’ve been overwhelmed with published work and have most of that finished now, and I have just made it through the rough weeks of the first trimester.  That’s right – we are having another baby!!  Here comes number four!  We’ve always wanted four kiddos and are thrilled.  We find out July 6 if it is another boy (our other three are all boys) or our first girl – such an exciting time!!  I’m going to release a new free baby pattern that day, too, with the gender of our new little guy/gal-to-be.

So in the middle of working on all these published projects that I can’t wait to share with you, Red Heart yarns was nice enough to send me a skein of their Super Saver Stripes and Super Saver Ombre!  I immediately thought of a fun summer bag with the stripes as the Polo Stripe colorway is such a summer-y combination of colors.  I wanted to keep it to a one-skein project so I came up with this cross-body bag.

I had it finished and couldn’t wait to take pictures while we were in Florida the first week of June, but wouldn’t you know it rained and we never had a good picture taking day!  We did get to enjoy the beach in between showers, but it definitely was not picture weather.  Oh, well.  I made do at home and had my hubby take some shots of the bag.  Please excuse the baby belly – I feel totally fat in the picture of me!

Summer Escape Cross-Body Bag

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Stripes (100% acrylic; 340 yards [236 meters]/215 grams): #4960 Polo Stripe, 1 skein

Hook: I/9 (5.5mm)

Notions: One 1 1/2″ button, one 33″ cotton shoulder strap, yarn needle

Skill Level: Easy

Size: Approximately 12″ wide x 7″ tall x 3″ deep

Gauge: 18 sts and 18 rows – 4″ in pattern st

Pattern

Main Panel (make 2 – one front and one back)

Ch 53.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * to last ch, sc in last ch; turn – 52 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last sc, sc in last sc; turn.

Rows 3-30: Repeat row 2.

Fasten off.

 

Side/Bottom Panel

Ch 113.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * to last ch, sc in last ch; turn – 112 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last sc, sc in last sc; turn.

Rows 3-12: Repeat row 2.

Fasten off.

Buttonhole Placket

Ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * to last ch, sc in last ch; turn – 10 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in ch-1 space; repeat from * to last sc, sc in last sc; turn.

Rows 3-5: Repeat row 2.

Row 6 (Buttonhole row): Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 1, skip next sc, sc in ch-1 space, ch 4, skip next 4 sts, sc in next 3 sts; turn.

Row 7: Repeat row 2.

Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next ch-1 sp, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat to last 2 sts, sc2tog – 8 sts.

Edging:

Sc evenly around placket, working 3 sc in each corner, join to first st with slip st.  Fasten off.

Finishing

Sew side panel to front and back main panels.

Sew buttonhole placket to middle of back panel and sew button on front to close.

Fold in top sides of side panels (see photo) and attach clip through front, 2 sts of side panel, and back.  Alternatively you can purchase clips like the ones in this photo and sew them in place, then clip on to strap.  I felt secure with the strap holding that many layers of fabric to forgo the other clips.  It’s up to you!  If you buy a strap without clips, just sew it on securely to the side panels.

You’re done!

I hope you have enjoyed this free crochet pattern for the Summer Escape Cross-Body Bag.  It’s been so fun to make this little bag and I have enjoyed using it.  If you like, add a hard piece of cardboard to the bottom for more stability.   It is a pretty sturdy little bag either way.  Stay tuned for updates on new free baby patterns!! 😀