Be honest, I had you at no-sew, correct? I am sure by now that you have seen the trend of using a canvas zipper pouch as the insert for a crocheted pouch cover. Is it cheating? Eh maybe, but sometimes it’s worth it.
Now even though this is technically a no-sew project, you may opt to sew the cover to the canvas pouch instead of gluing it. This can be done with a regular needle and thread OR you can use a large, sharp yarn needle and your yarn end to sew it to the pouch. All is outlined below in the pattern. And of couse if you do also sew, you can make your own zipper lining, but this will not be covered in this tutorial.
Before we really get into it, I’d like to acknowledge a few makers who inspired me to add this pattern to my Retro Granny line. First off is Jessica Lee’s Crochet! I first saw this style of pouch from Jessica with the Darcy Pouch Pattern. Then, that lead to the previously mentioned ”Darcy” of Dee’s Cozy Creations to make and release the Jessica Pouch Patter! (Don’t you just love it??) And finally, Ashley of LTK Cuties made one in her signature Meadow Stitch, and it’s just GORGEOUS! I have pictures of their work and more links in this Round UP…..
The Retro Granny Pouch Cover is also available for purchase as a PDF here.
Please be sure to read through the entire pattern first to avoid any confusion!
OK, let’s get to it! Here’s what you will need…
Materials:
- 5.5mm/I Crochet Hook, or the size you are comfortable with. (See sizing instructions below)
- Worsted Weight Yarn. (Lighter weights will work well too and the pattern can easily be adjusted to accommodate
- Canvas Zipper Pouch – I used two sizes outlined in the sizing section. But the pattern is written so you can size the pouch cover to any size canvas pouch.
- You may opt to make and use your own zippered lining for this project, but please note those instructions are NOT included.
- I purchased my canvas pouches at my local Hobby Lobby. You can also find a wide selection on Amazon.
- IF SEWING:
- (Optional) sewing needle OR large SHARP yarn needle (see finishing instructions)
- (Optional) sewing thread matching the yarn you are using.
- IF GLUING:
- (Optional) Fabric glue (recommended), tacky glue or hot glue.
- This video goes over gluing your pouch and the benefits of using fabric glue.
- Optional embellishments such as: decorative buttons, patches, zipper pulls or tassels.
Pattern Key
Pattern Key:
CH – Chain
HDC – Half Double Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
SLST – Slip Stitch
sk – skip
BLO – Back Loop Only (work in the back loop of stitch)
Written in Standard US Terms / Intermediate Pattern
Required Skills:
While this pattern teaches you how to create this pouch with the materials and instructions provided, it does not teach you how to crochet the stitches or sew. Here are the skills and stitches you will need to complete this pattern.
- Basic crochet stitches that are listed in the Pattern Key above (Chain, HDC, DC, SLST). As well as joining and fastening off your work.
- Crocheting in joined rounds
- Basic sewing skills if you choose to sew on the pouch cover.
There is no video tutorial for this pattern. But, if you need help with the stitches and techniques before starting, there is tons of video tutorials on YouTube.
And of course, feel free to contact me here on my blog or by email at kathyskozies@gmail.com
Please be sure to read through the entire pattern first to avoid any confusion!
Pattern Notes:
- Pattern starts with a Chain. You will make your first Round by working down one side of the chain, then on the opposite side and join to the first stitch.
- Pattern is worked in joined Rounds.
- CH3 counts as a DC throughout the pattern.
- The pattern is written as if you are using one color. See the changing colors section for tips on switching colors.
- The Rounds are written in a way that will easily adapt to any starting stitch count you use. But the end of Round counts specify the Small or Large counts I used for the two different pouches. [S, (L)]
Sizing:
- This pattern is written for two sized pouches Small – (6.75 x 4.75) and Large – (8.75×6). But, you can easily make for any size you want.
- To size the pattern, your starting chain will need to be in a multiple of 3 plus 1 for the turning chain.
- For this pattern, I like the chain and your finished first round to be a bit shorter than the pouch. This is because the Granny Clusters are a bigger stitch, so the rest of the length will be made up that way.
Changing Colors:
Attaching yarn at Round 3 – Start in the second stitch of Round 2. Begin your cluster with a CH3 and continue as normal.
Even Rounds (after Round 2 ): Attach yarn in the the joining space with a CH3
Odd Rounds (after Round 3): Begin your cluster with a CH3 in the space between The CH3 and 1stcluster in the Round prior.
Pattern:
OK, here we go! Make sure you have read through all previous instructions so there is no confusion.
DO NOT CH at the beginning of the Round unless you are directed to.
Round 1: CH 19(25), HDC in 2nd CH from hook and in each across. Now working on the other side of the CH, HDC to the end. Join to first. [36(48)]
Round 2: CH1, HDC in each stitch around. Join to first. [36(48)]
Round 3: Do not CH, sk first stitch, (SLST, CH3, 2DC in next), *sk 2, 3DC in next* repeat from * to * until you have one HDC, the join and SLST left. Join to top of CH3. [36 stitches or 12 clusters, (48 stitches or 16 clusters)]
Round 4: CH3 (counts as DC in joining space), make 3DC in NEXT space and in each space across the front. When you get to the end space of the first side (the space between the last cluster of the front and first cluster on the back), make one DC, then continue to make 3DC in each space across the back. Join to top of CH3. [32 stitches or 10 clusters + 2 DC, (44DC or 14 clusters+2 DC]
Round 5: Working in the first space, CH3+2DC, then 3DC in each space around, join to top of CH3. [36 stitches or 12 clusters (48 stitches or 16 clusters)]
Repeat Rounds 4 & 5 until you reach just about a ½ inch shorter than the pouch you are covering.
Last Round: CH1, HDC in BLO around. Join to first. [36, (48)]
****** REPEAT this round if using a sewing machine to attach. (See finishing instructions)
Finishing:
Weave in all ends unless you are opting to use the end to sew on your pouch (see below) or will be adding a decorative button.
If you changed colors every row, you can opt to double knot ends closest to each other, cut short, then add a dab of fabric glue to the knot to secure it. (This is what I did).
Attaching the cover to the pouch:
I prefer to use a needle and thread to sew the cover on.
- While being tested, one of my testers used a larger needle with a sharp point and used the yarn tail to sew the pouch on to the canvas pouch successfully.
- I had other testers use a sewing machine to add the lining, it is best to add a second Round of HDC if doing so.
To sew on, line the top edge of the crocheted pouch just below the zipper. You may opt to pin it in place at this point.
Using a similar color thread, sew pouch to the canvas bag along the HDC boarder. When you look inside the zipper bag, your stitches should be under the zipper flap.
Using glue….
There are people using hot glue to attach similar covers. I cannot attest to this. However, if you wish to glue it, I would suggest using fabric or tacky glue. Fabric glue being the best option as it is waterproof, flexible and will hold up to washing if needed. This video tutorial linked here goes over gluing the cover to the pouch and the benefits of fabric glue.
And there you go, all finished and ready to put all the things inside!
Don’t forget to check out my Retro Granny Stitch Mug Cozy that is free on my blog as well!
Tester Love…..
A special thank you to my testers for their help with different attaching techniques and overall just being awesome! Here are some of the pouches they made.
Tap each photo to be brought to their Instagram page.
We’d love to see your finished pouches! Tag us on Instagram with @kathyskozies / #kathyskozies
Pattern and images are Copyright ©Kathy’s Kozies, Forget-Me-Not Creations LLC.
Please do not reproduce and redistribute this pattern or images in this pattern as your own. Not for commercial use. You are welcome to sell your finished piece, but if you do, I ask that you specify Kathy’s Kozies as the original designer and provide a link back to my pattern.
