I want to crochet a bag (any suggestions) but which yarn to buy and where from

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

I have never crocheted a bag before but I think I can do it. What bothers me is the lining, handles (where to buy handles) and the yarn. I want yarn to look still presentable after washing so which one should I use. I think I will use motifs to complete the bag.
Thank you.

[sloggies]

Maybe a yarn that is 100% cotton, or as near as. You can get handles in places like hobbycraft, or the internet. Or you could crochet a long strap. A lightweight cotton or poly-cotton would be ok for a lining. Good luck!

[SirSugar]

get some Yeoman Cannale from ebay (comes on cones but very good value) Its a lovely cabled mercerised cotton, very strong 4ply and would do the job perfectly

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

Thank you sloggies and SirSugar. Will be in John Lewis next week so will try to look at their craft section. Yeoman Cannale on one website costs £12.50 per cone 500g. I want to use 2 or three colours and it looks as my bag is going to be an expensive one. I should probably go to the carft shop and look at their cotton yarns and may be get smaller packs.

[sloggies]

Unless you want to be really adventurous, buy a cone of a natural colour and dye hanks of it...I've always wanted to try making natural dyes from veggies, but never got round to it.

[BorisBearsLovechild]

I've made this one, designed by Lucy of Attic24 Blog fame and it turned out beautiful. It's a great blog, well worth a look if you've not visited before. Well actually I've made two now, the first one from Rowan pure new wool, turned out lovely but £££ and really only suitable for carrying crisps or PomBears as it's so s t r e t c h y. Then I made another one using Peaches and Cream Cotton in vibrant colours - still not got round to lining either of them yet. That one is firmer, would be better lined if I got round to it. Have also got a pack of Lucy Creative Colour sitting around gathering dust. Need to get off MN and do some crochet.

Oh I bought the Rowan from JL, and the Rico from First4Yarns and the Peaches from Create and Knit. Happy crocheting!

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

BorisBearsLovechild, sorry for a bit late response. I have visited Attic24 a few times and it is a very nice blog. I like the rainbow bag but it is not like you could go out with it. I would love to buy Lucy Creative Colour later; cannot spend £22.00 on yarn right now.

These are the bags which I like www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2008/10/japanese-crochet-purse-book.aspx

They look elegant. I would like to crochet something like that.

[InachisYarns]

Could Ravelry not help? Find the bag before you find the yarn.

[LatteLady]

Right the pattern will tell you which yarn to use... and you can always look on the internet for a replacement yarn, ie one which will give a similar result.

Buying wool, you have a choice your local yarn shop (LYS) or going to the internet. I would love you to buy at LYS cos my friend has one and they need your support. If you want to buy online then check a number of shops and then google the shop name and complaints (there is a shop which is notorious so PM me if you need to check).

Handles can be bought from any good haberdasher, LYS or Fabric shop... or online.

Google lining bags tutorials as there are lots of good ones out there on blogs.

[kellestar]

I've done a few crochet square bags, fabric lining can be anything really - could be a funky print or an old t-shirt or sheet. I tend to do these after I've crocheted up the bag, so it fits neatly. A friend always does the lining first as she hates the sewing part, so do I but it takes two minutes on the sewing machine or an evening handsewing.

I bought some handles from josyrose whose bead handles, under the wooden section are lovely and fredaldous but I tend to prefer a crocheted strap as I prefer bags that can go over the shoulder like a messenger bag, rather than a hand bag.

There are tons of amazing bag patterns on ravelry. I've used it as an idea to make quite a few different types. Modifying the odd bit to suit me more. I buy my yarn at the local yarn shops get knitted who offer a great online service or [[http://www.mandywools.co.uk/ mandy wools] I haven't bought online, but pop in on occasion. It depends on who the bag is for, I don't tend to use pure wool unless it's going to be a special bag, I prefer wool mixes like Patons Diploma Gold.

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

InachisYarns, I am interested in the type of yarn. I want the bag to look as new after the washing. I know people crochet bags using pure wool and they look beautiful but do their keep the form; do not shrink after the washing.
LatteLady and kellestar, I think the bag will look better with crocheted straps as I do not like carrying bags in my hands.
I wonder about the pure cotton yarn or a mixture of cotton and something. Would it be better than the wool or do you think that wool or wool mixture is a perfect choice to crochet a bag. I want to crochet it using thick yarn for colder days.

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

Has anyone seen crocheted plastic bags?www.plasticbagbag.com/how.html

Interesting idea but I would not do it.

[LatteLady]

No matter how tightly you crochet wool will stretch on your handles, cotton will also stretch (gravity) but less so.

Go take a look on Ravelry, you will need to register but I have found 555 crochet bags with the following link Ravelry

[LatteLady]

BTW - all of these are Aran weight upwards :)

[woollyideas]

attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-bag.html

Attic 24 is an all-round very inspiring crochet blog. This bag pattern is fab and was my first ever crochet project! I'd never done any before and it was a great way to learn. She (Lucy) has loads of instructions on her blog.

I used Rowan handknit cotton for mine - it didn't stretch or go out of shape.

HTH