Craft Your Own Crochet Medicine Bag

A medicine bag is a small pouch that can be worn around the neck or attached to a keyring or cord. Traditionally, Native American medicine bags are made from leather or tanned hide skin and used by shamans to carry precious items of power for protection. Today, you can make your own medicine bag using a crochet pattern. These bags are perfect for housing crystals, essential oils, or other small items. They can also be used as a keychain, necklace, or cellphone holder. Making your own medicine bag is a fun and creative project that allows you to choose your own yarn, colours, and embellishments to personalise your bag.

Choosing the right yarn and hook

When it comes to the hook, the right size will ensure your stitches are consistent and your bag is the desired size. For a small medicine bag, a 1.5 mm steel hook is recommended. If you're using size 10 crochet thread, this is the perfect size. For a slightly larger bag, an H/8 or 5 mm hook is a good choice.

It's important to consider the relationship between the yarn and hook. A thinner yarn requires a smaller hook, while a thicker yarn calls for a larger hook. This ensures your stitches are neither too tight nor too loose. If you're using a pattern, it will usually specify the recommended yarn weight and hook size. Following these guidelines will help you achieve the desired result.

Additionally, the yarn you choose can also add a personal touch to your medicine bag. You can opt for a solid colour or experiment with variegated threads, which create beautiful colour variations in your bag. You can also add beads or other embellishments to your yarn for a more exotic look.

How to start crocheting a medicine bag

To start crocheting a medicine bag, you will need the following materials:

• Yarn: Nylon yarn or cotton worsted weight yarn are recommended, but any yarn will work as long as you use an appropriate hook size.
• Crochet hook: A steel hook in size 1.5 mm or 5 mm is suggested, depending on the yarn you choose.
• Other tools: A yarn needle, stitch markers, and scissors.

Once you have gathered your materials, you can begin by creating a slip knot and chaining the desired number of stitches to form the base ring of your medicine bag. The number of chains you need will depend on the pattern you are following and the size of your bag.

After creating the base ring, you will start crocheting in rounds or rows, following a specific stitch pattern. The stitch pattern will determine the shape and structure of your bag. It is important to maintain an even tension and count your stitches as you work to ensure your bag is uniform and neat.

For the initial rounds or rows, you may need to be patient as there isn't much to hold on to. You may find it helpful to use reading glasses or a magnifying glass lamp to see the stitches more clearly. As you progress and your work gets bigger, it will become easier to handle.

Remember to refer to your chosen pattern for specific instructions on stitch counts and techniques, as different medicine bag patterns may vary.

How to attach a pendant loop

A crocheted medicine bag can be easily turned into a pendant by attaching a loop to the bag. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to attach a pendant loop to your crocheted medicine bag:

Materials:

• Jump rings: Small circular connector pieces commonly used in jewellery making.
• Jewellery pliers: To handle and manipulate the jump rings.
• Chain or cord: To attach the pendant to, of a generous thickness.
• Pendant: The decorative piece you wish to attach to the medicine bag.

Process:

• Prepare the Jump Ring: Using the jewellery pliers, gently pull the jump ring apart to create a small gap. This step requires precision and patience, as jump rings are delicate.
• Connect the Jump Ring: Slip the open jump ring through the loop or connector on your pendant. Gently squeeze the jump ring closed with the pliers to secure the pendant in place.
• Attach the Chain or Cord: Take your chosen chain or cord and, using the pliers, attach one end to the jump ring. You can do this by gently pulling the chain's link apart and sliding it onto the jump ring, then squeezing it closed.
• Secure the Medicine Bag Loop: Now, attach the other end of the chain or cord to the loop on the back of your crocheted medicine bag. This loop is typically created during the bag's crochet process. Ensure the chain or cord is securely fastened to the bag.
• Adjust and Wear: Your pendant loop is now attached! Adjust the length of the chain or cord to your desired position, and your medicine bag pendant is ready to wear.

Alternative Methods:

If you wish to explore other ways to attach a pendant, you can consider:

• Bail: A decorative and weightier connector that helps the pendant lay flat against the body. Standard bails use jump rings, while pinched bails have their own attachment mechanism.
• Head Pin and Eye Pin: These are wires used for pendants with drilled holes. The pin is inserted and bent into a loop for attaching to a chain. Pliers are needed to secure the wire.
• Charm Clips: Small connectors with built-in closures that are easy to open and close. They can be attached to jump rings and used with corded or chain necklaces.

How to finish off a medicine bag

To finish off your crochet medicine bag, you will need to weave in all ends with a yarn needle. You can then add a drawstring by weaving it through the hdc row, skipping every two or three stitches. Bring both ends of the drawstring to the front of the bag and slide on some beads. Knot the yarn after the beads and glue the knot to keep it secure. Snip off any excess ends.

You can also add a neck strap by chaining 95 (or to your desired length) and slip-stitching to the opposite side of the bag. Finish off and weave in the ends.

For an exotic look, attach short lengths of yarn at random points on the bottom of the bag and string them with various beads.

How to add a drawstring

To add a drawstring to your crochet medicine bag, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, decide on the length you want your drawstring to be. For a medicine bag, you will need enough length to weave through the bag and have excess to tie a knot and hang as a pendant. Cut your yarn to the desired length, ensuring you have enough to work with. You can always trim the ends later.

Next, you will need to create a row of crochet stitches with spaces to thread your drawstring through. You can do this by creating a row of double or treble crochet stitches, with chain one or chain two spaces in between. This will form a row with gaps that you can easily weave your drawstring through.

Now, take your length of yarn and, starting at the front centre, weave it through the spaces you have created. You can use a larger crochet hook or a needle to help guide the yarn through. Pull the yarn all the way through, so both ends are at the front of the bag.

Finally, you can add beads to the ends of your drawstring and knot the yarn to secure them. Apply a small amount of glue to the knots to keep them in place and then trim any excess yarn.

Your crochet medicine bag now has a drawstring closure!

Frequently asked questions