For Those Who Do Cards

Ah! Those who celebrate or sell their crafts I’m sure you know just how I feel, because the holiday season is fully upon us and I hope you’re all prepared. I know that I started months ago, getting the gifts for my relatives together. See, I’m one of those people who gets so behind that people have been known to receive Groundhog Day gifts from me. Yep, I’ve been that far behind before. It also doesn’t help that I don’t live near family so I don’t feel the pressure to stick to a time table. I’m great with deadlines, as long as they exist.
Not this year, though. I’m on top of things. However, my mother just wanted a gift card, which is nice because that’s super easy. I can’t send just a gift card, though, can I? What kind of crocheter would I be? Only kidding. I wanted her to feel special though so I sad down last week and worked out a design for this candy cane inspired gift card drawstring bag. It’s pretty easy, once you get the color changing down. Or you could do it one color, or alternate rows of colors. I think when I get a chance I’m going to make this into a huge bag. Who doesn’t love a large drawstring bag for, I don’t know… yarn?

Material:

• US G (4.00 mm) crochet hook
• Worsted/ size #4/ medium weight yarn
  • 1+  oz / 52 – 65 yards
  • I used Red Heart Super Saver
• Tapestry/ yarn needle

Gauge:

• 4.5” x 4.5” = 19 dcs x 9 rows

Terms/ stitches used:

• Magic circle
• Ch: chain
• St: stitch
• Slip st: slip stitch
• Sc: single crochet
• Dc: double crochet

Notes:

• This pattern is worked in the round, from the bottom up in 2 sections (the Base and Sides), with a slip st into the first st of a rnd.
• The ch-1 at the beginning of the rnds does not count as a stitch.
• Color A is red/ green and color B is white in the photos.
• In the example, the inactive yarn is carried behind the active. If this is confusing, you might want to check out this helpful Moogly video on tapestry.
• All of the stitches in this pattern are single crochets. The directions will only tell you what color (ie: Color A, Color B, etc…) and the number in the parentheses will tell you how many single crochets to make.
• I know the pictures don’t show it, but the card actually fits down inside the bag and you can cinch it closed.

Finished measurements:

• Height: 4.5″ – 5″
• Width: 3.5″ – 4″

Pattern Instructions:

-Base-

Rnd 1: A: Create a magic circle, ch 1, sc 6 times into the circle, slip st into the first st – 6 scs
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc twice into the same st as join, *sc twice into the next st,* repeat from * to * 4 more times, slip st into the first st – 12 scs
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc into the same st as join, sc twice into the next st, * sc into the next st, sc twice into the next st,* repeat from * to * 4 more times, slip st into the first st – 18 scs
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc into the same st as join, sc into the next st, sc twice into the next st, *sc into the next 2 sts, sc twice into the next st,* repeat from * to * 4 more times, slip st into the first st – 24 scs
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc into the same st as join, sc into the next 2 sts, sc twice into the next st, *sc into the next 3 sts, sc twice into the next st,* repeat from * to * 4 more times, slip st into the first st – 30 scs

-Sides-

Note:

• Rnd 6 is worked into the back loop only all the way around. Rnds 7 – 21 are not.
• Every stitch in the Sides section is a single crochet, because of this the directions will only tell you what color (ie: Color A, Color B, etc…) and the number in the parentheses tells you how many single crochets to make.
• Following the ch 1, the first st is worked into the same st as join.

Rnd 6: A: Ch 1, *(5), B: (5),* repeat from * to * twice more, slip st into the first st – 30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 7: A: Ch 1, (4), B: (5), *A: (5), B: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, A: (1), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 8: A: Ch 1, (3), B: (5), *A: (5), B: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, A: (2), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 9: A: Ch 1, (2), B: (5), *A: (5), B: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, A: (3), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 10: A: Ch 1, (1), B: (5), *A: (5), B: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, A: (5), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 11: B: Ch 1, *(5), A: (5),* repeat from * to * twice more, slip st into the first st – 30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 12: B: Ch 1, (4), A: (5), *B: (5), A: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, B: (1), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 13:  B: Ch 1, (3), A: (5), *B: (5), A: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, B: (2), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 14: B: Ch 1, (2), A: (5), *B: (5), A: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, B: (3), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnd 15: B: Ch 1, (1), A: (5), *B: (5), A: (5),* repeat from * to * once more, B: (5), slip st into the first st –  30 scs (15 Color A, 15 Color B)
Rnds 16 – 20: repeat rnds 6 – 10 (rnd 16 isn’t worked into the BLO)
Rnd 21: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc into the next st, ch 1, skip the next st, *dc into the next 2 sts, ch 1, skip the next st,* repeat from * to * 8 more times, slip st into the first dc to secure – 20 dcs

Fasten off with both colors. Weave in all your ends.

For the draw string:
Ch 65 and fasten off. Pull tight on the final ch and create a knot.
Weave this through the ch 1 spaces on row 21. I created a bow, by just tying the ch but you can add pom poms or tassels if you’d like. It’s up to you!

Is pattern is linked to the Linky Ladies Community Link Party #30, Oombawka Design’s Link and Share Wednesday, Hookin’ on Hump Day #109, GSHeller’s Yarn Along, Fiber Tuesday #39,