Sól — Striped Crochet Messenger Bag Kit

Sól — sun. Védís Jónsdóttir’s messenger bag from Ístex’s Lopi 26 is a crochet project: the bag, the strap and the red edging are all single crochet on a 6 mm hook, which is not included. Only the pockets and the three little flower squares on the flap are knitted, in moss stitch on 5 mm needles. Wide stripes of Álafosslopi in fuchsia, chartreuse, space blue, golden and amber run up the front and over the flap; a striped strap carries two small pockets. Lining fabric and two clasps finish it (not included). The pattern’s ultra violet (9705) and orange rust (9988) are no longer made; this kit has 1233 space blue and 9971 amber heather in their place.

Included

• Icelandic Álafosslopi wool yarn — one 100 g ball of each of the six colours the pattern lists (it has one size)
• Pattern in English (PDF) — crochet bag with knitted pockets — emailed right after purchase
• ADDI 5 mm knitting needle for the pockets — only if you choose the kit with needles (crochet hook not included)

Álafosslopi — 100 g balls · one size
A 9969 Fuchsia Heather — 1
B 9965 Chartreuse Green Heather — 1
C 1233 Space Blue (in place of 9705 ultra violet) — 1
D 9964 Golden Heather — 1
E 9971 Amber Heather (in place of 9988 orange rust) — 1
F 0047 Happy Red — 1

Size
One size: 28 cm wide, 22 cm high and 6 cm deep (11″ × 8¾″ × 2¼″). The pattern gives no strap length (see the FAQ).

Gauge
11.5 sts × 15 rows = 10 cm (4″) in single crochet with a 6 mm hook. The pattern gives no gauge for the small knitted parts.

Needles used in the pattern (included when you choose the kit with needles)
5 mm (US 8) needles, only for the small knitted pockets and flap ornaments — the pattern does not say which kind; the kit with needles has a 5 mm circular in 40 cm, used back and forth (our choice). The bag itself is crocheted with a 6 mm hook, which is not included.

Not included
The 6 mm (US J/10) crochet hook the bag is made with, lining fabric (the pattern gives no amount), 2 large clasps, a sewing needle and thread for the lining and clasps, and a tapestry needle for sewing on the pockets and embroidering the flowers.

How it is knitted
Mostly crochet. The bag is one long strip of single crochet on a 6 mm hook, worked back and forth from 82 chains: 41 rows in five stripes — 8 rows fuchsia heather, 6 chartreuse, 12 space blue, 6 golden and 9 amber heather. Each row runs the whole length of the strip, so the stripes run up and down the front, the bottom, the back and the flap. The strap is a second strip, 162 chains long and 7 rows wide (2 rows chartreuse, 2 fuchsia, 3 golden). Only the small parts are knitted, in moss stitch on 5 mm needles, with stitches picked up from the crochet: a striped pocket on the bag (4 rows happy red, then 6 rows each of fuchsia, amber, golden and chartreuse), two narrow pockets on the strap (one amber, one space blue) and three small squares on the flap, each with a flower embroidered in chain stitch. The strap is joined to the sides of the bag with a happy red single-crochet edge that goes on round the flap, the opening and the strap. A fabric lining is sewn in by hand, and two clasps close the flap.

Design: Védís Jónsdóttir — pattern from Lopi No. 26 (no. 7), Ístex.

Genuine Ístex lopi — the same wool Icelanders knit with, spun in Iceland from the fleece of Icelandic sheep. No substitutes.

Care of the finished garment — air out between wears; hand wash cool and dry flat. Full care guide

Shipping — DHL Express worldwide, fully tracked. Rates & times

US & Canada duties — collected at checkout; nothing to pay on delivery. How it works

Returns — unused kits in original condition; see our return policy.