Originally inspired by the beautiful carved soapstone ornaments created in India, I created the block for a planter cover. After making it, I decided immediately that it should be a bag and picked muted pink and white shades reminiscent of the block’s inspiration.

The dense waistcoat stitch provides a firm, non-stretchy, secure finish for the bag’s contents and helps it keep shape, while the lace block, worked on a slightly undersized hook, offers an firm feel but airy finish. The stitches in the block are varied and fun to work resulting in an enjoyable project as well as a handy accessory.

This would make a great project bag or packed lunch bag.

To make the bag, you’ll want to be confident in your basic crochet stitches and comfortable with working into or around different parts of the stitch (back post, front loop) etc.

Finished measurements (includes guidance to customise)
Bag width: 20cm/8”
Bag height, exc. handles: 20cm/8”
Gusset/base width: 9cm/3.5”

Tension: 12 sts x 16 rows = 10cm x 10cm / 4” x 4” measured over waistcoat stitch using 5.5mm hook
1 square block measures: 4” using 3.5mm (7) hook

Requirements

Aran/worsted cotton yarn in each of 2 shades:
C1 200m/220 yds (white used in sample);
C2 150m/165 yds (pink in sample)
Sample worked in: Drops Paris. Lily’s Sugar n Cream Ombre, Rowan Handknit Cotton or Lion Brand Pima Cotton are good options too.

1 pair circular handles or bangles of at least 9cm (3 ½”) internal diameter and comfortable to hold

3.5mm (US E/4) hook 4.5mm hook (US 7)

5.5mm (US I) hook
or suitable hooks to achieve desired texture and tension

pins/yarn scraps to position pieces when sewing

Yarn needle and scissors

Optional base: 2 pieces of card 20 x 9 cm/ 8 X 3.5” and slightly larger fabric scraps

Notes

This pattern is available in US terminology and UK terminology versions. Please be sure you are using a copy in your preferred terminology. I recommend that you read through the pattern before starting.

I sometimes add extra resources for my patterns, e.g. yarn substitutions, adaptations, styling suggestions or helpful video clips as updates on my original blog post for the release, so consider checking it out here: https://www.madewithloveandfibres.com/post/soapstone-mini....