Paintbox
Checkered Crochet Zippy Bag
Written by Vickie Howell
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Arteza is colorful swatching with their paints and markers. There’s little more visually satisfying than scribble-rows of color-upon-color! Creative play in crochet, isn’t much different, especially when working with a box of skeins in 20 different shades, like the new Multi Mini Packs.
This project is an ode to paint-play and a nod to the current patchwork and checker-print trend that’s huge in the textile world. Have fun with your Paintbox!
MATERIALS
- Arteza Classic Colors Multi Mini Pack (100 % Acrylic, 36 yds each) You’ll need 1 mini skein each in 16 colors: (A) A007 Very Shady, (B) A002 Half & Half, (C) A004 Freshly Pressed, (D) A101 Making Lemonade, (E) A102 Hello Sunshine, (F), A103 Going for Gold, (G) A505 Sea-Saw, (H) A502 Hidden Gem (I) A504 Peacocking, (J), A505 (K) A500 Trip to Fiji ,(L) A602 Mossy, (M) A302 Mushroom, (N) A005 A Little Shady, (O) A403 Smell the Lilacs, (P) A405 Sugar Plum
- Size US I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook — or size needed to obtain gauge
- Tapestry Needle
- Zipper (at least 12”/30.5 cm long)
- Small, sharp crochet hook
- Optional: Pompom maker
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approx 11” /28 cm x 6 1/2” / 16.5 cm
GAUGE
12 sc x 16 rows = 4”/10 cm
Note: gauge is only important for this project if you want to obtain the exact finished measurements.
ABBREVIATIONS (Click item for individual stitch tutorials)
St(s) = stitch(es)
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
Note: Always join a new color by pulling new color through the last 2 loops of the last stitch in the previous color. Always leave colors not in use at the WS of the work: on RS rows this will be the back, on WS rows this will be the front.
DIRECTIONS
Bag panels (Make 2):
With A, ch 31.
Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in every ch to end. Join B in. Turn. — 30 sts
Cut A.
Row 2 (RS): With B, ch 1 (does not count as st here or throughout), sc in first st and next 5 sts. Join C, sc in next 6 sts. Join D, sc in next 6 sts. Join E, sc in next 6 sts. Join F, sc in last 5 sts. Turn.
Row 3 (WS): With F, ch 1 , sc in first st and next 5 sts. With E, sc in next 6 sts. With D, sc in next 6 sts, With C, sc in next 6 sts. With B, sc in last 6 sts.
Rows 4-9: Repeat Rows 2-3, three times more.
Cut Colors B, C, D, E, & F. Join G.
Row 10 (RS): With G, ch 1 sc in first st and in next 5 sts. Join H, sc in next 6 sts. Join I, sc in next 6 sts. Join J, sc in next 6 sts. Join K, sc in last 6 sts. Turn.
Row 11 (WS): With K, ch 1 , sc in first st and next 5 sts. With J, sc in next 6 sts. With I, sc in next 6 sts, With H, sc in next 6 sts. With G, sc in last 6 sts.
Rows 12-17: Repeat Rows 10-11, three times more.
Cut Colors G, H, I, J, K. Join L.
Row 18 (RS): With L, ch 1, sc in first st, and next 5 sts. Join M, sc in next 6 sts. Join N, sc in next 6 sts. Join O, sc in next 6 sts. Join P, sc in last 5 6 sts. Turn.
Row 19 (WS): With P, ch 1 , sc in first st and next 5 sts. With O, sc in next 6 sts. With N, sc in next 6 sts, With M, sc in next 6 sts. With L, sc in last 6 sts.
Rows 20-25: Repeat Rows 18--19, three times more.
Cut Colors L, M, N, O, P. Join A.
Rows 26-27: With A, ch 1, sc in first st and every st to end. Turn.
Fasten off.
Seam Bag:
Stack both pieces, with WS facing each other, join A at a top edge and through both layers of fabric.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly along first short side, 3 sc in corner, sc evenly along bottom, 3 sc in corner, sc evenly along second short side. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, [sc in each st to corner, 3 sc in corner] twice, sc to end.
Fasten off.
Add Zipper: (See video tutorial here.)
Either use tapestry needle to blanket stitch evenly around zipper or join yarn with a small, pointy crochet hook and sc evenly around the zipper, taking care to work 3 sc at corners. Fasten off.
Line zipper up with bag top, and whip stitch or single crochet the zipper to the top edge of the bag. Fasten off.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Optional: Make pompom. Tie to zipper pull.
About Vickie Howell
Vickie is a mom of three, an award-winning broadcaster, author, designer & entrepreneur. Over a decade and a half, through various television shows, YouTube videos, online courses, conference tours, books, and her business, YarnYAY! – she’s had the privilege of teaching hundreds of thousands of stitchers new yarn-y skills. It’s her mission to empower people to lean into creativity by making DIY totally doable! Follow @vickiehowell
