Inspired by Marvie, tested by Heather and now Annie Modesitt approved. Here''s the pattern (this is also available as a Free Ravelry Download found here and includes instructions for using Lambs Pride Bulky wool and other pictures):

Marvelous Felted Mini Tote Bag

Materials needed

3.5 ounces of worsted weight 100% wool (not superwash). Paton’s Merino Wool is a perfect example.

Size K crochet hook

Blunt needle for weaving in ends

Washing machine for fulling/felting

No sewing involved

Bag size after felting/fulling is 8” across and 10” high from bottom to tip of handle.

You can try using a J hook if you are a loose crocheter or hold two strands of yarn together with the K hook for a stiffer bag.

Stitches Used

Chain (ch), slip stitch (ss), single crochet (sc) and half double crochet (hdc)

Instructions

Chain 4, join with sl st to form ring

Round 1-Ch 2, work 9 hdc in ring, join with sl st in top of ch 2 (10)

Round 2-Ch 2, hdc in same space, work 2 hdcs in each st around, join with sl st to to of ch 2. (20)

Round 3-Ch 2; hdc in same stitch, hdc in next stitch (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next stitch) repeat around, join with sl st in ch 2. (30)

Round 4-Ch 2, hdc in same stitch, hdc in next 2 sts. (2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 2 stitches) repeat around, join in sl st in ch 2 (40)

Round 5- Ch 2, hdc in same stitch, hdc in 3 sts(2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 3 stitches) repeat around, join in sl st in ch 2 (50)

Round 6- Ch 2, hdc in same stitch, hdc in 4 sts(2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 4 stitches) repeat around, join in sl st in ch 2 (60)

Round 7- Ch 2, hdc in same stitch, hdc in 5 sts(2 hdc in next stitch, hdc in next 5 stitches) repeat around, join in sl st in ch 2 (70)

Round 8-Ch 1, hdc in each stitch around in BLO (back loops only), join in 1st hdc. (70)

Round 9-22 – Ch1, hdc in each stitch around and sl st to first hdc (70)

Round 23-24 - Ch 1, sc each stitch around (70)

Round 25 – Ch 1, sc in next 13 stitches, chain 15, skip next 9 sc and sc in next sc from the skipped 9 sc (10th stitch) (this is the handle), sc in next 25 (total of 26 sc), ch 15, skip next 9 sc and sc in next sc from the skipped 9 sc (10th stitch) and sc in remaining and sl stitch to first sc (should be 13 sc).


Round 26-29 – Ch 1, sc each stitch around including handles

Round 30-Sl st each ch around., fasten off, weave in ends

I also did a slip stitch around the inside of the handles to make them sturdier.

For two colors, I did my changes in round 10, round 17 and round 23

Felting Instructions

Place bag in a mesh sweater washer bag, tied pillowcase, etc. Fibers will clog washing machine.

Use hottest water setting and set control for small load. Add a splash of some laundry detergent or vinegar (this changes the pH and allows fulling to happen). Toss in a couple towels, canvas sneakers, pairs of jeans (that you want to wash in hot water) and run through cycle. Check back. If not fulled, run through cycle again til bag is felted/fulled to your liking. Allow to air dry a day or so.

I found if I had trouble fulling wool, I add double the soap needed for a small load. This helps, but then you must run through another cycle to make sure it’s fully rinsed out.




Two color fulled bag using Lambs Pride Bulky



Single color fulled bag (photo courtesy of Heather Balletto)



Pre-fulled bag (Photo courtesy of Heather Balletto)


Copyright 2005 to Deneen St Amour. This is my own pattern, not to be posted (unless linked back here), sold or distributed by anyone but myself and all that other good stuff. Basically, don''t steal it as your own or I''ll have to come and beat you with a rubber hose!

Updated on 08/25/09

I''m reading: "Marvelous" Fulled Mini Tote BagTweet this!

sprtsbear said...

How big is the bag after fulling???

10:36 AM

Deneen said...

Sorry, I added it for ya. The bag measures 8" across and 10" tall after fulling.

11:49 AM

Joy said...

Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your pattern Deneen! I can''t wait to make one for myself! (I''m leaving this for the second time because it wouldn''t let me post at first. So if two comments show up, that is why!)

12:16 PM

Anna said...

Deneen,
Your bag is AWESOME!! I think I''ll have to make me one!

3:45 PM

Jewels said...

This bag looks so great Deneen!! I''m glad you shared your pattern with us. Question - would it be rubber hose or vinyl hose? LOL It''s going to be exciting seeing your patterns in the next crochet calendar too.

9:17 PM

DAWN said...

A Rubber Hose? Really? I''m gonna get some wool today and I''m gonna make your bag! It is too cute.
~ DAWN

10:19 AM

Jackie said...

D-

I love that bag!
(I think I am a closet purse hoarder!)

Great job.
I hope to make one for me one day!

1:30 AM

Holly said...

Hi! I love this bag, and I am in the middle of making one right now, but I have a problem. I am on the handles round, and they are not even. I did the 9sc, then the ch 15 and skip 9sc, then the 18sc to the next ch 15, but this is where it gets messed up. When I finish off in sc''s to the end of the round, there are 25 between the last handle and the last round, and that''s added to the first 9sc that I did to get to the first handle. So there are 18sc on one side, and 34 on the other. Did I do something wrong here? I really love this pattern and can''t wait to get it done and felted. Thanks for any help.

Holly

10:44 AM

jpr54_1 said...

how can i adjust instructions to make the bag 2x the sise-
double everything?

i made the bag as a tester-
it was super easy and would like to make another bigger one.

joanne r.
aka jpr54_

8:52 AM

marcisenders said...

I love this pattern! Thanks for posting it. I have posted my version of it on my blog, www.marcisenders.randomhouse.com.

11:46 AM

Vik said...

Deneen this is so pretty! Thanks for sharing the pattern! It goes to my project´s waiting list! ;)

9:14 AM

Sheryl said...

I love this - I stumbled across it while blog surfing. This would make a great beginning felted crochet pattern! I''ll send folks your way!

6:00 PM