Fabric and Crochet Drawstring Bag

I've been wanting to tackle this bag for quite awhile now. It was inspired by a picture in a Japanese craft book (of course!). My variation is crocheted, not knitted, and the construction is my design as I didn't feel like figuring out the Japanese. It's about 10" tall and 8" wide and completely lined. I wove ribbon through the body of the crocheted part of the bag; it's the same ribbon used for the loops. I received the great floral fabric in a trade with Katey and I absolutely love it!

My sweet girl is modeling it here for me so you can get an idea of the size. I had intended to do an enclosed drawstring but got too far ahead of myself in the sewing and had to make a change at the last minute. Sometimes that kind of thing works out for the best and I think I like it better this way :) This bag is my test run - I'm hoping to get some similar bags in the shop for Christmas.

This is the book and picture that was my inspiration. (ISBN4-579-10981-3) I'm in the process of scanning all my Japanese craft books and will put them in an album over at Flickr.

Comments

[tanya]

how did you make the bag if you don't mine me asking ?
i like your bag!

[abby]

Yay! This is great. I've seen this book SO many times, but your bag is the first "done" version I've seen and it is just too cute. So...I'm curious,too-just how fo you get the knitted fabric to stay to the cotton fabric?

[lyn]

Thats gorgeous, I love the colours !

[S.]

the question is, how did you sew the crochet and material together?

[Toni]

Cassi!! So beautiful!!! I have long admired thay style of bag and want to try one myself one day. Yours is absolutely gorgeous!! Well done! :))

[backtackee]

hiya! your backtack buddy here (waves) that bag is gorgeous, as are the many other things you've made. Whew! I've got my work cut out for me :)

[sunni]

it's gorgeous! i love all of the textures and patterns. perfect matches!

[Lisa]

so so adorable. i love it!

[kath]

i love this bag - the fabric and colours and design - just gorgeous

[jenn]

love the bag. the fabric is amazing!!

[myra]

It is so awesome! I love the fabric combination and the ribbons for the drawstring loops! Brilliant.

[Camilla Engman]

It's lovely.

[molly]

I love the bag, the colors, and especially the ribbon tucked in the crochet and then used for the loops. I think you may have improved on the orginially, really. Great job. Isn't the satisfaction from project completion great?!?

[amanda8]

I love it. So cute and unique.

[Becky]

Love the bags, especially yours. I think you've made an improvement with the closure, even though it was not intentional. That's the beauty of creation, it takes you to unexpected places. I will most definately put this one on my to do list. My head is all ready filling up with morphed versions. How about a lap blanket using this idea? Love your blog! Come visit me, I'm new to the blogiverse.

[Vicki]

I have that same book and have been thinking about this bag alot. The texture combinations are really interesting together. I love what you've done with yours; the fabrics and colors are very appealing and the ribbon loops are so fun! Wonderful!

[kelly]

That bag came out beautifully! I love the combinations of color, texture, and pattern!

[Stephanie]

I have always loved those bags in the zakka book...there is something about the combination of knitted and fabric elements. I just adore your version, beautiful fabrics and colors, and such a clever closure. Excellent!

[Jackie]

I love the bag. The ribbon is so pretty...I like it so much better than an enclosed drawstring. It's unique!

[Anabel]

Your blog is brilliant(genial). I like everything what I have seen. Thank you for your post.