Over the Shoulder String Bag
opping bag is updated with a single handle to sling over the shoulder or cross-body. When I lived in Edinburgh, I bought an over the shoulder shopping bag and loved it to pieces. My husband and I used that bag for years until it finally wore out. String bags can look very flimsy, but they are extremely sturdy, durable, and hold far more than you expect them to. The finished bag will stretch considerably over the first few uses until it reaches its maximum size, which holds the same as a paper grocery bag. This pattern has a few variations: there are two different nets to choose from, the diamond and the honeycomb, and two different lengths, shoulder and cross-body. This pattern is for the advanced beginner or intermediate crocheter, as it covers several techniques and stitches.
Gauge
Finished Size Shoulder (Cross-body) Yarn Lion Brand Lion Cotton, 189yds, 40z Hook F-5 (3.75mm) Gauge 16 stitches, 8 rows in double crochet for a 4"x4"(10cm x 10cm) square. Care Wash gently and tumble dry low.
Pattern
Join medallion rounds with sl st, then work netting in the spiral. Choose either the Diamond or Honeycomb net and skip the directions for the Other.
Medallion
Gaps should line up in each round. Ch3, join for starter ring; Rnd 1: Ch1,Sc 4 into ring, join; Rnd 2: Ch3, Dc1 into first st, Dc2 sts into each st 5x, Dcl, join (12 sts); Rnd 3: Ch3, Dc1 into first st, \*Ch1, Dc1, Dc2 in one st,\* repeat 5x, Ch1, Dc1, join (24sts, 18 bars); Rnd 4: Ch 3, Dc1 into first st, Dc1, \*Ch1, Dc1, Dc2 in next st, Dc2,\* repeat 5 x, Ch1, Dc2,join (36sts, 30bars); Rnd 5: Ch3, Dc3,\*Ch1, Dc2, Dc2 into one st, Dc3,\* repeat 5x, Ch1, Dc2, join (48sts, 42 bars).
Diamond Net
Rnd 1: \*Ch5, Sl st into second st,\* repeat 22x, Ch5, Slst into 5th st; Rnd 2: \*Ch8, Sl st into 6th st\*, repeat 22x, Ch8, Sl st into 8th st; Rnd 3: \*Ch8, Sl st into 9th st,\* repeat in spiral (24 diamonds each round); Continue net pattern up to 14 rows from medallion.
Bind off netting top
Rnd 1: \*Ch2, sl st into 9th st\* 4 x, \*Ch6, sl st into 9th st\* 8x, \*Ch2 sl st into 9th st\* 4x, \*Ch6, sl st into 9th st 7x, Sl 4 sts to round end; Rnd 2: Ch1, Sc all sts, Sc over first st.
Honeycomb Net
Skip this if you already did the Diamond Net. Rnd 1: Ch5, Dc into 2nd st, \*Ch3, Dc into 2nd st,\* repeat 22x, Ch3, Dc into 6th st; Rnd 2: \*Ch5, Dc into 4th st,\* repeat 23x; Rnd 3: \*Ch5, Dc into 6th st,\* repeat in spiral (24 hexes per round). Continue net pattern up to 14 rows from medallion.
Bind off netting top
Rnd 1: \*Ch2, Dc into 6th st,\* 4x; \*Ch5, Dc into 6th st,\* 8 x; \*Ch 2, Dc into 6th st,\* 4x; \*Ch5, Dc into 6th st,\* 7x, Ch5, Sl st into 6th st, Sl next 2 sts; Rnd 2: Ch1, Sc all sts.
Strap
Strap stitches should line up with shortened rows at the top of the net. Do not tighten chains. Row 1: Ch3, Dc12,turn; Repeat row for 21 inches, 50 rows (28 inches, 65 rows). Attach to opposite side of bag with sl st on the outside.
Cut tail 12 inches and whip over bound edge.
Note
You can make the bag deeper, if you choose, by adding more rows to the net. Just remember to decrease the strap by two rows of double crochet for every round you add to the net bag.
