SPOT SAVER MERMAID CROCHET BAG

LEVEL: EASY

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 'Value Ball' Spot Saver 200g x 1 ball Main Colour (M) Aqua, 1 ball 1st Contrast (C1) Royal Blue and 1 ball 2nd Contrast (C2) Purple.
• A 5.50mm and an 8mm crochet hook, or sizes required to give correct tension.
• Scissors, yarn needle, tape measure

MEASUREMENT

Width (at top edge approx) cm 16

Length (excluding handle approx) cm 22

TENSION

14 sts and 15 rows over double crochet fabric, using a 5.50mm hook.

INSTRUCTIONS

HANDBAG (beg at lower point)

Using M, make 2ch,1st round- Work 6dc in 2ch from hook, join into a ring with a sl st.

2nd round- 1ch, 2dc in each of next 6dc, sl st in 1ch at beg ... 12dc.

3rd round- 1ch, 1dc in each dc to end.

4th round- 1ch, * 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, rep from * to end, sl st in 1ch at beg ... 18dc.

5th round- As 3rd round.

6th round- 1ch, * 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, rep from * to end, sl st in 1ch at beg ... 24dc.

7th round- As 3rd round.

8th round- 1ch, * 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, rep from * to end, sl st in 1ch at beg ... 30dc.

9th round- As 3rd round.

10th round- 1ch, * 1dc in each of next 4 sts, 2dc in next st, rep from * to end, sl st in 1ch at beg ... 36dc.

11th round- As 3rd round.

12th round- 1ch, * 1dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, rep from * to end, sl st in 1ch at beg ... 42dc.

Rep 3rd round until work measures 19cm from beg. Fasten off.

Join C1 in same place as sl st, rep 3rd round 4 times. Fasten off.

SCALE TRIM (make 4)

Using C1, make 37ch.

1st row- 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, * miss 1ch, 5tr in next ch, miss 1ch, 1dc in next ch, rep from * to last ch, 1dc in last ch. Fasten off.

Using M, make another 2 strips in same manner. Fasten off.

Using C2, make another strip in same manner. Fasten off.

TAIL ( make 2 pieces)

Using 5.50mm hook and C3, make 13ch.

1st round - 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1tr in next ch, 1dtr in each of next 6ch, 1tr in next ch, 1htr, in next ch, 3dc in last ch (point), working along other side of ch, work 1 htr in next ch, 1tr in next ch, 1dtr in each of next 6ch, 1tr in next ch, 1htr in next ch, 1dc in last ch. Fasten off.

Using C1,2nd round -1ch in each st to end, sl st in 1ch at beg. Fasten off.

HANDLE

Using an 8mm hook and 1 strand of each M, C1 and C2 tog, make 40ch.

1st row- 1dc in 2ch from hook, 1dc in each ch to end. Fasten off.

FINISHING

DO NOT PRESS. Sew handle securely in position on inside of top edge on each side of Bag. Beg at centre back, slip st 4 scale trim pieces in position in colours as pictured, beg at top edge of bag and lapping trims underneath the trim directly above. Sew 2 tail pieces in position to bottom of Bag, lapping slightly over each other at top edge of tail as pictured.