Hi guys!
I’m so glad you found your way to this page! I’m really excited to talk about a brand new pattern today – The Calypso Carry All! Click here to go straight to the pattern or continue reading for more info + a pattern coupon code!
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Any purchases made will help support Knits ‘N Knots blog content.
About
Spring is upon us and I don’t know about you, but I’ve been seeing variations of market bags everywhere. With the growing interest in reducing single-use plastic, these bags have become more and more prevalent lately! I’ve made a few different crochet market-type bags before, and my one complaint is that the mesh tends to stretch out a little over time and the bag can become really misshapen after carrying anything on the heavier side.
So… introducing the Calypso Carry All. A market bag with a mesh panel for that classic look, but with a solid bottom. And just a bonus – it’s crocheted in a spiral so that there are no visible seams.
This pattern is perfect for everyday use or to use as a beach bag. It doesn’t look like it, but the base of the bag is actually a flat circle (think – bucket bag) so it can carry more than it seems!
Construction
I’m really proud of the construction of this bag, you guys!
First, it’s crocheted bottom-up as a flat circle, almost as if you were to make the base of a basket. It’s worked in a spiral so that there are no seams or visible ridges that you would see if you joined each round. Next, the bag is crocheted without increasing to create a bucket bag type shape, and then the pattern switches to joined rounds rather than worked in a spiral. The reason for this is that it makes the colour changes virtually invisible. I’ll tell you exactly where to switch colours for the best colour transition. The mesh then switches back to a spiral construction, you guessed it – for a seamless look – and then we switch back to the first colour and begin decreasing before we add the handles/straps!
There are 2 strap options: 2 shorter handles for more of a shoulder bag, or 1 long strap for more of a slouchy, hippie style of bag. You can choose whichever style you prefer!
This pattern is an easy level pattern written in US crochet terms. The necessary skills include:
- half double crochet
- working in back loops only
- working into chain spaces
- crocheting in the round
If you can do these things, I’m confident you’ll do just fine! I’ve even included some photo tutorials within the pattern itself for extra clarity.
Yarn
I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton for this project (one of my go-to yarns) in 2 colours. For the brown sample, I used Taupe and Ecru; for the other, I used Camel and Ecru. You’ll need 2 skeins (or 292 yds/27m) of Colour A, which is the bottom and top, and 1 skein (or 121yds/111m) of Colour B, which is the mesh portion.
You could of course make this bag in a solid colour as well. I think my next will be all Ecru!
I love 24/7 Cotton because it’s durable, machine washable, mercerized, and is the perfect weight. It’s lighter than other category 4 yarns I’ve worked with and makes the final project look a lot cleaner and more professional than some of the other cottons I’ve worked with. I wrote an entire blog post on why I love Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton that I’ll link here if you want to take a read.
I know this yarn is not very widely available in Canada, and if this is the case for you, feel free to use Bernat Handicrafter Cotton as a yarn substitute. Any similar, 100% cotton will work fine!
You can find the pattern in these places:
On my website here.
On Ravelry here.
On Etsy here.
(Use the code “PATTERN10” for 10% off all patterns)
I can’t wait to see your WIPs! Make sure to tag me @knitsnknotswpg and use the pattern hashtag #CalypsoCarryAll so that everyone can see your projects!
Happy crocheting,
Janine xo
You May Also Like
