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What is this? The diagrams are based on tobacco pouches and wrist warmers from the area around Vasa and the suspenders to the male folk costume of Karleby/Öja in Finland. There is no copyright to the traditional diagrams, dating back to around 1870. I added the burning tar barrel myself, since it is a well-known symbol for the town Karleby, and according to my mother the symbol has been used as a decoration in folkloric costumes. My pattern also contains a few tips regarding the design.

The diagrams marked “2015” have a more traditional bottom than the one marked “2014”. All other diagram elements are authentic folkloric designs.

Tar was the first export product of Finland, and it was mainly produced in Ostrobothnia (the province around the city of Vaasa). Since Karleby has one of the biggest harbours in Finland, and a lot of the tar was exported from Karleby, so the symbolism is only logical.

Regarding the choice of colours: Since Karleby had a big harbour and was a rich town, they early got aniline colours from Germany. All sorts of strong colours were quickly popular, so it is quite OK to use strong colours in this pattern - even bright pink and purple! The dominating colours in the pattern are red and yellow, since those are the dominating colours in the folk costume of Karleby/Öja. It is probably appropriate to make red an even more dominating colour in the pouch.

Instructions: The pouch is made in tapestry crochet in the round. It is a bit tricky to crochet with a hook that is half the smallest suggested size for the yarn, so you may have to practise a bit.

The gauge is supposed to be between 48 sts x 41 rows and 50 sts x 43 rows = 10 x 10 cm. Start to crochet the circular bottom piece, and then continue with the tube.

With the given yarn, hook and guage, you will get a material that feels stiff like leather or cardboard. With this in mind, it is suitable to have 12 holes for the drawstring at the top.

I estimate that it takes around 50 hours to crochet a pouch in the size 144 sts x 78 rounds = 29 cm around x 19.5 cm high = 5½ x 7½ inches. Diameter 9 cm = 3½ inches. The pouch is big enough to hold a wallet, a mobile phone and some keys.

Technical tip: The slow and careful turtle wins against the hasty hare. Trying to crochet with this yarn and hook quickly, forcing the hook through stitches, only causes problems, ugly stitches and aching hands. Working soft and slowly causes less problems and is actually quicker!

Primary gauge: Hook 1.0 mm --> 50 sts, 42 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) --> diameter 8 cm (3 inches).

Alternative gauge: Hook 1.5 mm --> 42 sts, 38 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) --> diameter 11 cm (4 inches). In this case you will need to remove part of the pattern to avoid making the pouch too high.

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