Crochet your own toiletry bag with the bobble stitch. It's a popular crochet technique that creates a playful and textured surface with lovely volume. In this pattern, you will crochet a toiletry bag, complete with a zipper and lined interior fabric – perfect for storing your small items for everyday use or when traveling.
❯ Materials
- Doris color 15 & 35, 2 skeins of each color - approx. 150g (also works with Ellen, Judith, Lola & Freja)
- Zipper 20cm
- Ergonomic crochet hook 3.5mm
- Stitch marker to keep track of the beginning and end of the round
- Blunt metal needle for weaving in loose ends
- Scissors
- Cotton fabric color 102 (optional)
- Sewing needle, thread & ruler/tape measure (optional)
- Sewing machine (optional)
❯ Abbreviations
- R - Round
- St - Stitch
- Bo - Bobble stitch
- SC - Single crochet
- Sl St - Slip stitch
- Ch - Chain stitch
- SL - Slip loop
- BLO - Back loop only
Crochet:
Base
Note: The rounds on the toiletry bag are crocheted in individual rounds and not in a spiral. To close the round, make a Sl St in the first St of the round. Then make a Ch to get up to height for the new round. These stitches are not counted as real stitches; be careful not to crochet into these stitches so your stitch count doesn't increase by mistake. This setup applies to all rounds of the toiletry bag.
The bobbles are crocheted with 4 yarn overs; you can always choose to do fewer or more yarn overs to get the size you want for your bobbles. Note that more yarn may be required if you choose to do more yarn overs for your bobbles.
Start with color 15
R1. Start with a SL and then make 34 Ch. The chain should be slightly shorter than the zipper. (see image 1)
R2. Begin crocheting in the second St from the hook. On the first side of the chain ⭢ 32 SC, 3 SC in the same St. On the second side of the chain ⭢ 32 SC, 3 SC in the same St (70)
R3. 33 SC, 3 SC in the same St, 34 SC, 3 SC in the same St, 1 SC (74)
Sides
Note: The sides of the toiletry bag will be constructed with alternating rows of Bo and SC. To keep the rows straight, you will turn the work between these rows. That is: The bobble rows will be crocheted from the outside (see image 2) and the SC rows will be crocheted from the inside (see image 3)
Change to color 35
R4. BLO ⭢ (1 SC, 1 Bo) x36 (74) turn work.
R5. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 15
R6. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R7. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 35
R8. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R9. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 15
R10. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R11. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 35
R12. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R13. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 15
R14. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R15. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 35
R16. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R17. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 15
R18. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R19. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 35
R20. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R21. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 15
R22. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
R23. 74 SC (74) turn work.
Change to color 35
R24. (1 Bo, 1 SC) x36 turn work.
Note: Now it's time to crochet the last section at the opening of the toiletry bag. You no longer turn the work after each round, but crochet all rounds from the outside.
Change to color 15
R22-25. 74 SC
Cut and weave in all loose ends.
Lining:
Cut out the lining fabric
Width: Same length as the zipper
Length: side of your toiletry bag x2 (see image 4)
If you have access to an iron, I recommend ironing the fabric piece for a nicer finished result.
Sew the zipper
Place the zipper along the edge of the width of the fabric. The underside of the zipper should be against the right side of the fabric. (see image 5)
Then sew a straight stitch (or by hand) along the zipper on the side closest to the edge of the fabric. (see image 6) Here you can choose how much of the zipper will be visible at the opening. If you sew closer to the zipper, less of it will be visible at the opening, and if you sew further away from the zipper, more of it will be visible at the opening.
Then repeat this on the other side of the fabric. That is: place the other side of the zipper along the edge of the width on the other side of the fabric. The underside of the zipper should also be against the right side of the fabric here. Then sew it on with the same distance to the zipper as you did on the first side.
This is what it should look like when both sides are done (see image 7)
Sew the edges
Pin the zipper in place so it lies straight before the next step. (see image 8)
Sew a straight stitch (or by hand) along one edge of the fabric. (see image 8) Repeat on the other side.
Sew on the lining fabric
Pin the lining fabric to the opening of the toiletry bag. Make sure the edges of the lining fabric align with the edges of the toiletry bag. Use a needle and thread to sew on the lining fabric. (see image 9)
To achieve a completely seamless finish, place the needle on the zipper just below the edge where you sewed on the zipper. (see image 10) Then place the needle on the inside of the toiletry bag's edge at the bottom of the last row of SC. (see image 11) Use small, tight stitches for the best result.
Then weave in and hide all loose ends. And then it's done!
