Fitness is important: healthy body, healthy mind – you know the drill. Like a lot of women, my weight fluctuates due to a variety of issues, but I keep up some level of mental and physical fitness by practicing yoga. I made this yoga mat bag to keep my spirits lifted with a happy rainbow or two, and also to use up some of the yarn scraps from a previous project!
The Inspiration & Design
I’m still in love with granny stitch, so I wanted to use it in another one of my designs. The clusters just seem to fly off my hook, and I can create a squishy, very cute fabric in very little time! The colors are ROYGBIV, aka The Rainbow, symbolizing peace and cheer. I love a good rainbow, and judging from the compliments I’ve been getting on the bag – other people do too!
The Yarn
It’s all acrylic all the time over here right now. Normally I’d use natural fibers since they’re better for our environment and can be recycled, but I got a large amount of acrylic yarn from the thrift store – and rather than let it go to a landfill, I opted to take it home and try to use as much of it as possible. That’s also the reason for the odd mix of colors and brands, but I really like how this all turned out with the darker red and orange and the brighter dark colors. You’ll recognize all of this yarn from my Rainbow Granny Cardi as well!
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PATTERN
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Materials:
-Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Cranberry)
–Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (Terracotta)
-Red Heart Super Saver (Bright Yellow)
-Red Heart Super Saver (Spring Green)
-Red Heart Super Saver (Royal)
-Red Heart Super Saver (Mediun Purple)
-Craftsmart Value (Purple)
Gauge:
9 sts in double crochet = 4 in.
6 rows = 4 in.
Abbreviations (US terms):
CH – chain
SS – slip stitch
SC – single crochet
HDC – half double crochet
DC – double crochet
CL – 3 double crochets in one stitch
Skill Level:
Easy
Pattern Notes:
-Fits yoga mats 64″ x 24″ x 5″
Bottom (Optional: Make two if you want a reinforced bag bottom. Sew the two together.)
CH 4, SS to make a circle (Alternative: Make a magic circle)
Row 1: CH 1, HDC 11 stitches into the circle, SS to close the circle (11)
Row 2: CH 1, 2HDC in each stitch around, SS to close the circle (22)
Row 3: CH 1, *HDC, 2HDC in one stitch*, repeat from * to *, SS to close the circle (33)
Row 4: CH 1, *HDC in two stitches, 2HDC in one stitch*, repeat from * to *, SS to close circle (44)
Row 5: CH 1, *HDC in three stitches, 2HDC in one stitch*, repeat from * to *, SS to close circle (55)
Body
I started with Yellow for my bottom color and the first row color. Try to make these the same color regardless which color you choose to start with.
Row 1: CH 2, DC, skip two stitches, CL, *skip two stitches, CL*, end with two DC in stitch, SS to close circle
Row 2: CH 2, CL in each space between DCs and CLs across, SS to close circle
Row 3: CH 2, DC in first stitch, CL in each space between CLs across, end with two DC in stitch, SS to close circle
Row 4: CH2, CL in each space between CLs across, SS to close circle
Alternate rows 3 and 4 until Row 37, alternating colors every two rows. Fasten off, weave in all ends.
Strap
Leave a long tail to use when attaching strap.
CH 80
Rows 1-5: SC across, leave a long tail at the end, fasten off.
Assembly
Turn bag to right side out, attach straps on top and bottom using the long tails.
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