Crafting A Crochet Windmill Bag: A Whimsical Summer Project

The windmill bag is a stylish and functional crocheted accessory. The bag's design is inspired by the spinning ninja windmill from the Nintendo DS game Ninjatown. The pattern is beginner-friendly and can be made with basic stitches using polyester cord and a crochet hook. The bag is spacious and perfect for running errands, going to the beach, or shopping. It is a great way to showcase your crochet skills and add a unique touch to your wardrobe.

Crochet pattern for a windmill bag

Materials

• 3 mm polyester cord
• 5 mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Stitches

• Ch - chain stitch
• Sc - single crochet
• Sl st - slip stitch
• Inc - increase 2 in 1

Process

Cast on a desired number of stitches (the example uses 20). At a standard worsted gauge of about 5 stitches per inch, 20 is the minimum for a decent-sized bag. Knit in garter stitch for 100 rows (50 garter 'ridges') or until the desired length is reached. Knitting longer will give you a deeper bag.

At the beginning of each row, slip the first stitch purlwise with the yarn in front as if to purl, then move the yarn back through the needles and knit to the end of the row. This will leave a neat braided-look edge that will make picking up stitches and seaming very easy. After a few rows, mark one side as the right side of your work.

When the desired length is reached and a wrong-side row has just been completed, start the next row by casting on 3 stitches using the cable cast on and make a 3-stitch I-cord bind off. Continue until 3 stitches are left, then work a regular I-cord until it is the same length as the rectangular panel. Bind off the I-cord.

With the right side facing and the I-cord off to the left, pick up and knit the same number of stitches as before along the lower right edge of the first panel. Knit the second panel exactly like the first.

Knit the third panel, picking up stitches along the lower right edge of the second panel. Make sure to always pick up your stitches with the right side of the work facing you and the I-cord of the previous panel off to the left.

For the fourth panel, pick up stitches with colour 1, join and knit one row with colour 2, join and knit one row with colour 3, then alternate colours each row without breaking the yarn, continuing to slip the first stitch of each row to maintain the braided edge. When you finish the fourth panel, seam the cast-on edge of the first panel to the side of the fourth panel.

Tips

• The size of the bag depends on your crochet tension and the yarn you choose. The thicker the yarn, the larger the bag.
• The Ravelry website has a useful image to show how to seam up the sides. Sew the matching coloured sides together (e.g. red sides, green sides).
• Tie two of the I-cords together in a double knot to make one handle, and do the same with the other two I-cords for the other handle.

Knitting pattern for a windmill bag

If you're looking to knit a windmill bag, you've come to the right place! This pattern will guide you through creating a stylish and unique bag that's perfect for any occasion, whether you're running errands or enjoying a day at the beach. Using basic knitting stitches, you can create a functional and fashionable accessory that reflects your personal style. So, let's get started on crafting your very own windmill bag!

Materials Required:

Before you begin knitting your windmill bag, make sure you have the following materials ready:

• Yarn: Sugar and Cream, or other worsted weight cotton yarn. You can choose any colour you like, and you'll need less than one ball of each colour.
• Needles: US 6 straights and DPNs, or you can opt to use only DPNs for the entire project.
• Notions: Split ring stitch marker, tapestry needle or crochet hook for seaming.
• Polyester Cord: 3-4 mm polyester cord, approximately 400-450 meters in length.
• Other Tools: Scissors, stitch markers, and a yarn needle.

Knitting the Panels:

The windmill bag is constructed from four knitted panels that are joined together. Here's how to knit each panel:

• Panel 1: Cast on your desired number of stitches using colour 1. For a decent-sized bag, cast on at least 20 stitches.
• Knit in garter stitch for 100 rows (50 garter 'ridges') or until you reach your desired length. Knitting more rows will give you a deeper bag.
• At the beginning of each row, slip the first stitch purlwise with the yarn in front as if to purl, then move the yarn back and knit to the end of the row. This creates a neat braided-look edge that makes picking up stitches and seaming easier.
• Mark one side as the right side of your work.
• When you've reached your desired length, finish by casting on 3 stitches using the cable cast-on method, and then create a 3-stitch I-cord bind-off. Continue until you have three stitches left, and then work a regular I-cord until it matches the length of the rectangular panel. Bind off the I-cord in your preferred method.
• Panel 2: With the right side facing and the I-cord off to the left, use colour 2 to pick up and knit the same number of stitches along the lower right edge of panel 1. Knit panel 2 in the same manner as panel 1.
• Panel 3: Knit this panel in the same way as panel 2, picking up stitches along the lower right edge of panel 2. Remember to always pick up stitches with the right side facing you and the I-cord of the previous panel off to the left.
• Panel 4: Knit this panel just like panel 2, picking up stitches from the lower right edge of panel 3. If you're using multiple colours (like 3 or more), alternate colours each row without breaking the yarn, and continue to slip the first stitch of each row to maintain the braided edge.

Assembling the Bag:

Now that you have your four panels, it's time to assemble your windmill bag:

• Seam the cast-on edge of panel 1 to the side of panel 4.
• Sew the sides of the bag together, matching the colours (e.g., sew the red sides together, green sides together, etc.).
• Weave in all the loose ends securely.
• Create the handles by tying two I-cords together in a double knot for each handle.

And there you have it! Your very own knitted windmill bag, ready to be filled with your favourite essentials. This pattern is versatile, so feel free to experiment with different colours, yarns, and stitch patterns to make your bag truly unique. Happy knitting!

Yarn and colour options for a windmill bag

The windmill bag pattern leaves a lot of room for creativity and customisation when it comes to yarn and colour options. The pattern is suitable for both knitting and crocheting, and the yarn and colour choices will depend on your preference and skill level.

For knitting, the pattern recommends using worsted weight cotton yarn, specifically Sugar and Cream. You will need three colours, and less than one ball of each. The pattern creator used three colours for their bag and the fourth panel combined all three colours. The choice of colours is up to you, and you can add more colours if desired.

For crocheting, the pattern recommends using 3-4 mm polyester cord, and a 5 mm crochet hook. The bag in the example is 16" (41 cm) wide and 12" (31 cm) high, but the size may vary depending on your crochet tension and the yarn you choose. The thicker the yarn, the larger the bag.

When it comes to colour options, you can choose any colours that appeal to you and that you think will work well together. You can use a single colour for each panel, or you can mix and match colours to create a unique design. You can also use different types of yarn to add texture and visual interest to your bag.

Some suggested yarn and colour combinations for a windmill bag could include:

• Using different shades of blue, from light blue to dark blue, to create an ombre effect.
• Combining bright and vibrant colours like yellow, orange, and pink for a fun and playful look.
• Using neutral colours like beige, grey, and white for a more subtle and elegant design.
• Mixing and matching different shades of green, from lime green to forest green, for a fresh and natural feel.
• Incorporating different textures by using a combination of smooth and fluffy yarns in complementary colours.

Remember, the windmill bag pattern is very versatile, so feel free to experiment with different yarn types, colours, and combinations to create a unique and personalised bag that reflects your style and personality.

Stitch tutorials for a windmill bag

The windmill bag is a crochet pattern made by sewing together rectangles to form a windmill shape. It is a super easy and fast pattern to make and can be turned into a pillow if needed. The stitches used in this pattern are basic single crochet stitches.

To start making the windmill bag, you will need to chain the amount of stitches you want the width of the bag to be. Keep making single stitches until the piece is twice as tall as the desired bag size. Then, fasten off the yarn, fold up the bottom half of the piece, and sew the side seams together with a whip stitch. Finally, crochet the strap and attach it to the bag.

For sewing the side seams, you can use a sewing machine or sew it by hand. You can also add grommets to the top edges of the bag to easily attach handles.

When choosing your yarn, it is recommended to use a solid colour yarn so you can see the stitches clearly. Red Heart Amore yarn is a good choice for this bag. You will also need fabric or felt, a fabric rotary cutter, a skip stitch rotary cutter, eyelet sets, and cord for the handles.

Lining and grommets for a windmill bag

Lining a windmill bag is a simple process. The lining can be made from fabric or felt, and you will need four pieces, each measuring about 6x16 inches. You can cut these pieces with a fabric rotary cutter. The lining can be sewn by hand or with a sewing machine.

To add grommets to your windmill bag, you will need four eyelet sets (11.1mm) and a tool and hammer to attach them. The grommets should be added to the top edges of the bag, making it easy to attach handles. The handles can be made from cord, with a length of 2x36 inches.

The windmill bag is a unique and pretty bag that is perfect for carrying your crochet projects on the go. It is made with rectangles that are sewn together like a windmill, giving it its name. The bag uses single crochet stitches and is super easy and fast to make.

Frequently asked questions