Sunday, July 30, 2017

Pretty Little Pineapple Top Bag

This week saw the finish of my Pineapple Top Bag:
It was an easy project and I love how it turned out.   Tied up like it is above, it would make a really nice gift bag; or lined, and with the lacy top folded down over the top of the bag (like pictured below), and with maybe a chain handle, I think it would make a pretty little purse (I’d want to add some sort of closure to the top if I did this):

To print out an easy-to-read pattern, I used the website, Print Friendly. Just plug in the URL for the page the pattern is on and you can remove unnecessary pictures and print out a clean copy of the pattern.  Learning about this site recently from a fellow Ravelry member was game changing for me.  If you haven't tried Print Friendly.com, I recommend it.  

My entire bag (from bottom to top) was worked with two strands of Size 3 crochet thread (Aunt Lydia's in Bridal White and Copper Mist, to be precise).  My bag measures about 8 inches wide and 12 inches tall from bottom of bag to peak on the lacy top (the bag portion measures 8 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall). The size of the bag can be changed by changing the yarn and hook size.

I worked the body of the bag longer than the pattern called for - I think I worked 15 rows beyond the base before working the lace top. Rows were worked in a spiral (not joining and chaining up) until I reached the top of the bag. The lace top was worked as directed (starting it on the side where it was less noticeable for me to change color).


A note on ending the body of the bag and transitioning to the lacy top:  About three stitches before I decided to stop the body portion of the bag, I began to shorten the height of my stitches. I went from a dc, to a hdc, then a sc, then a slip stitch or two (until I reached the side of the bag). Then I joined the new color of yarn here and began the lacy top.   When starting the lacy top part, you'll want to pay attention to where the center front stitches will end up (you'll want to straddle two dcs in Round 12 with the the center front of the body of the bag).  This doesn't have to be precise, but you want it close.  This is the round a drawstring or ribbon can later be threaded through if making a drawstring bag.

Unfortunately, there is a mistake in the written pattern on Round 13, (of the lace part) and I recommend keeping a picture of the pattern’s chart to refer to. Once you start doing this round, you will quickly recognize there is a mistake, but to correct it, you'll just ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, sk next ch-1 in between each shell and each set of 5 dc’s.  After that the lacy top should be smooth sailing.
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15 comments:

  1. Oh, Becki....it is beautiful! I love the colors you used and that you used 2 different colors for the bag and the lace top. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality so what a great housewarming gift or hostess gift it would make.
    I have never heard of print friendly but what a gift that is as I have run into that problem more times than I can shake a stick at! Thank you!
    Thank you also for your detailed instructions for different parts of the pattern and catching and fixing the mistake. I am trying to stick to my list this year (although I went 'off the wagon' for the kitty blanket...well, mine didn't make it to blanket size) but others YOP projects sure are tempting! I always look forward to your posts and projects and I wish I could learn to be as monogamous as you! LOL! Have a great week! What's up your sleeve now?

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    1. What a great idea, Sandra! Maybe put in it a jar of jam or some other small "homey" items. I'm actually not very monogamous when it comes to craft projects. I think I have five other yarny projects on the hook (and soon to be starting a knitting project, I think). I think I might just look anonymous because lately I've made my YOP posts about one project. And I think I've done that because I have a lot to say lately about these projects (or I didn't have time to say more than I did. :) If I posted pictures of all I have in progress you'd feel right at home with me. I should do that one of these days. Seeing everything together might inspire me to finish them up. ;^)

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  2. HI Becki! That little bag is beautiful! I love the way it looks when it's folded over! :) Could be a nice evening clutch bag.

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  3. This is such a cool bag! I like how it's obviously a pineapple and can be hooked up in fun colors for casual use or in great yarn like you had used to be a bit more dressy.

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    1. It would be fun in a variety of colors. I have it in mind to make some smaller gift bags with other colors. We'll see if that actually happens. ;^)

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  4. You bag is gorgeous Becki and either way it would make a very eye catching bag as you say with a chain. Thanks for the notes as well, those are always so helpful when others come to make similar projects.

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  5. I love the bag. Thank you for informing us of the row 13 mistake. This wpukd be perfrct to make for a little girl to carry her treasures in.

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    1. It would. But I think it would make a pretty bag for an older girl, too. Probably someone skinny could carry it off better than me, though. ;^)

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  6. that purse is stunning - perfect for evening wear. I love how it looks with the top down too.

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    1. Thank you, Mary Anne. I think that top down over the bag looks cool, too. :)

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  7. Lovely bag - I love the way you can have the lacey part up or down, and love your colour choice.

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  8. Oh I like this! I'm sure I will never get around to making it, but it's a nice thing to think about😊 Thanks for the printer info as well: I think that will be really helpful.
    Happy days,
    Jenn

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