DIRIGIBLE PLUM BAG
Yarn Used: Debbie Bliss Donegal chunky tweed: 1 skein 100grms/100mtrs of orange. 25grms/25mtrs of green/blue. 25grms/25mtrs of gold for bobbles.
NOTE:
This yarn is now discontinued, but DROPS Eskimo is a good and inexpensive replacement, but any feltable chunky yarn would be suitable. Oddments of green 4ply yarn: Jamieson & Smith 2ply (but any fine 4ply will do)
Needles/hook:
10mm circulars 7mm crochet hook 3.5mm crochet hook Cast on 60sts with orange, join in the round. Work every round knit until you run out of yarn (but completing your final round and leaving a few inches for sewing in). Join in green/blue yarn and knit 6 more rounds. Next round, k2tog to end. Next round, knit. Next round k2tog to end 15sts. Cut yarn, thread through sts and pull to close. Secure ends. Top of Bag. Join green/blue yarn to top of bag and using your crochet hook, ch1, work 1dc into each stitch of the bag (60sts). Join with a slip stitch to first dc. Next round, ch1, 1dc, into first dc of round below, (ch3, miss 1dc, 1dc into next st) to end, finishing with ch3 then slip stitch to first dc of round,
FRUITS:
Using gold yarn ch3 (leave a longish end you will need this later). Into 3rd ch from hook work bobble thus: work 3 incomplete treble crochets (4 loops on hook), yrh, pull through all loops on hook. Fasten off leaving a long enough end for attaching to bag. To attach fruits to the bag: take both ends of yarn and knot together so that you pull the bobble into a nice round shape, poke each end of yarn through either side of a stitch on your bag, knot together leaving long ends. Position the bobbles wherever you prefer. I made 14 bobbles and spread them quite far apart.
FELTING:
Place your bag in your washing machine with a pair or two of clean jeans. Add your usual detergent. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER! Set your machine to a hot wash, I set mine to 60 degrees, and keep your eye on the felting process. As soon as the bag looks felted down enough (it only took 20 minutes in my front loader), pause/end the wash cycle of your machine, set to rinse, then spin. After you remove the bag from the machine, pull it into shape and stuff with old plastic bags to help set its shape. Allow to dry fully. Handles: Using 5mm thick cord run the cord through every alternate 3ch space at the top of the bag. Do the same with a second piece of cord but starting on the opposite side of the bag. Knot both cords and either leave as they are or unravel for about 3" if you prefer tassels.
FINISHING FRUITS:
Using oddments of 4ply green yarns after the bag has been felted: Crochet 6ch leaving a 6" end, place the chain around the base of the fruit where it joins the bag, join with a slip stitch. Work 1ch, \*1dc, 1htr, 2tr, 1htr, 1dc into ring\*, 3dc into ring then repeat from \* to\*. Join to start of round with a slip stitch and fasten off leaving a 6" end. Thread both yarn ends through a needle. Pass needle up through the base of the fruit and out of the centre of the top. Work a couple of stitches into the fruit, knot the two ends together and cut ends about 5mm from the knot. Continue until all the fruits have been done. Fill bag with knitterly junk and release your inner Luna Lovegood!
All copyright MrsDanvers 2014. Please do not resell this pattern, sellfinished goods made from this pattern or generally be silly with it. Love and Peace to all.
