purlJam

# Lucia Crossbody Bag

**Skill Level:** Intermediate

**Finished Measurements:**
Approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide and 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, excluding handles.
Base: Approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) long x 4 inches (10 cm) wide.
Handle Length: Approximately 48 inches (122 cm).

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight (4) cotton blend or similar fiber recommended for durability and drape.
    *   **MC (Main Color):** Approximately 250 yards (229 meters) – e.g., Cream
    *   **CC1 (Contrast Color 1):** Approximately 100 yards (91 meters) – e.g., Teal
    *   **CC2 (Contrast Color 2):** Approximately 50 yards (46 meters) – e.g., Gold
*   **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook
*   **Notions:** Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker (optional, for marking beg of rnd), blocking mats & pins (for colorwork).

**Gauge:**
14 sc and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet, blocked.
*Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain gauge.*

---

**Abbreviations (US Crochet Terminology):**
*   **ch:** chain
*   **sc:** single crochet
*   **hdc:** half double crochet
*   **dc:** double crochet
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **rnd(s):** round(s)
*   **MC:** Main Color
*   **CC1:** Contrast Color 1
*   **CC2:** Contrast Color 2
*   **rep:** repeat
*   **tog:** together
*   **PM:** place marker
*   **beg:** beginning

---

**Notes:**
*   This pattern is worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up. Do not turn unless otherwise specified.
*   Join each round with a sl st to the first stitch of the round, then ch 1 (or ch 2 for dc rounds) unless otherwise specified. The ch 1 (or ch 2) does not count as a stitch.
*   The "mandala lace motifs" refer to the geometric patterns created using the fair isle technique in the Lower Body section. The Upper Body features actual openwork lace (mesh).
*   For best results with colorwork, block your finished bag.

---

**Color Management (Fair Isle Technique):**
*   **Stranding:** When working with multiple colors in a round, carry the non-working yarn loosely across the wrong side of your work (the inside of the bag). Ensure floats are not pulled too tight, which can cause the fabric to pucker, or left too loose, which can snag.
*   **Catching Floats:** For floats longer than 3 stitches, "catch" the non-working yarn by crocheting over it (tapestry crochet style) or by twisting it with the working yarn. To do this, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over with the working color, then bring the non-working yarn up over the hook (trapping it). Yarn over again with the working color and pull through to complete the stitch.
*   **Color Changes:** To change color, work the last stitch of the old color up to the final yarn over. Yarn over with the new color and pull through all loops on the hook to complete the stitch.
*   **Yardage Estimates:** Yardage is approximate and can vary based on gauge and individual crocheting style. It's always a good idea to have extra yarn on hand.
*   **Blocking:** Blocking is essential for colorwork to even out stitches, relax the fibers, and prevent puckering. Wet block by soaking the finished bag in cool water, gently squeeze out excess water, then shape to measurements on blocking mats and pin in place. Allow to air dry completely.

---

### CHARTS SECTION

This section provides visual charts for the Lower Body Fair Isle portion of the bag.

**Chart Instructions:**
*   Read charts from right to left for every round, as you are always working on the right side of the fabric (outside of the bag).
*   Each square on the chart represents one single crochet (sc) stitch.
*   The chart displays one repeat of the motif. You will repeat the motif 16 times around each round of the Lower Body (Fair Isle Section) for a total of 96 stitches per round.
*   Start with MC unless otherwise indicated by the chart or pattern instructions. Carry non-working colors loosely across the back of your work.

**Key:**
*   **□** = MC (Main Color)
*   **■** = CC1 (Contrast Color 1)
*   **▲** = CC2 (Contrast Color 2)

**CHART A: Geometric Mandala Motif (6 sts × 6 rows)**
This chart is worked for Rnds 12-17 of the Lower Body (Fair Isle Section). Each round consists of 16 repeats of this 6-stitch pattern.

```
6: □▲■■▲□
5: ▲■■■■▲
4: ■■▲▲■■
3: ▲■■■■▲
2: □▲■■▲□
1: □□▲▲□□
```
**Stitch Count per repeat:** 6 stitches
**Total stitches per round:** 16 repeats x 6 stitches = 96 stitches

---

### PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

**BASE (worked in MC)**
**Ch 37.**

**Rnd 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 34 ch, 3 sc in last ch; working along other side of foundation ch, sc in next 34 ch, 2 sc in first ch (where initial sc was made). Join with sl st to first sc. *(74 sc total)*
*(Math check: (35-1) + 3 + (35-1) - 1 = 34 + 3 + 34 - 1 = 70. Wait. 2 * (chain length - 2) + 2 + 3 = 2*(37-2) + 2 + 3 = 2*35 + 5 = 70+5=75.
Let's re-calculate Rnd 1 precisely: 1 sc in 2nd ch, 34 sc along chain (35 stitches total). 3 sc in last ch (these add 2 new stitches to the 35). Total = 35+2 = 37 stitches on first side curve. Then 34 sc along other side (37+34=71). Then 2 sc in first ch (adds 1 new stitch as 1st sc was already there). Total = 71+1=72 stitches. This is still off.

Standard oval base: (Ch X. Sc in 2nd ch, sc in (X-2) ch, 3sc in last ch. Sc in (X-2) ch, 2sc in 1st ch.) Total stitches = 2 * (X-2) + 2 + 3 = 2X - 4 + 5 = 2X+1.
If Ch 37, total stitches = 2*37+1 = 75.

Let's use a simpler calculation for a base that ends up with 96 stitches.
**Revised Base Plan (to ensure 96 stitches):**
**Ch 33.**

**Rnd 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 30 ch, 3 sc in last ch; working along other side of foundation ch, sc in next 30 ch, 2 sc in first ch (where initial sc was made). Join with sl st to first sc. *(64 sc total)*
*(Math check: 2*(33-2) + 2 + 3 = 2*31 + 5 = 62 + 5 = 67. No.
Let's try one more base calc.
Ch 31.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch (1st st). Sc in next 28 ch. (29 stitches total). 3 sc in last ch (adds 2 to count). = 31 stitches. Sc in next 28 ch on other side. = 59 stitches. 2 sc in 1st ch (adds 1 to count). = 60 stitches.
So Rnd 1 from Ch 31 is 60 sc. This is standard.)*

**Revised Base Plan (Final):**
**Ch 31.**

**Rnd 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 28 ch, 3 sc in last ch; working along other side of foundation ch, sc in next 28 ch, 2 sc in first ch (where initial sc was made). Join with sl st to first sc. *(60 sc total)*
*(Math validation: (28 sc + 1 sc at start) + 2 new sc from 3sc in end + (28 sc on opposite side) + 1 new sc from 2sc in start = 29 + 2 + 28 + 1 = 60 sc)*

**Rnd 2:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 28 sts. *(2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 3 times (on curved end). Sc in next 28 sts. *(2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 2 times (on other curved end). Join with sl st to first sc. *(65 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 60 sc from Rnd 1 + 5 increases = 65 sc)*

**Rnd 3:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 29 sts. *(sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 3 times. Sc in next 29 sts. *(sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. *(70 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 65 sc from Rnd 2 + 5 increases = 70 sc)*

**Rnd 4:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 30 sts. *(sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 3 times. Sc in next 30 sts. *(sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. *(75 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 70 sc from Rnd 3 + 5 increases = 75 sc)*

**Rnd 5:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 31 sts. *(sc in next st x 3, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 3 times. Sc in next 31 sts. *(sc in next st x 3, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. *(80 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 75 sc from Rnd 4 + 5 increases = 80 sc)*

**Rnd 6:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 32 sts. *(sc in next st x 4, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 3 times. Sc in next 32 sts. *(sc in next st x 4, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. *(85 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 80 sc from Rnd 5 + 5 increases = 85 sc)*

**Rnd 7:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 33 sts. *(sc in next st x 5, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 3 times. Sc in next 33 sts. *(sc in next st x 5, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st)* 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. *(90 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 85 sc from Rnd 6 + 5 increases = 90 sc)*

**Rnd 8:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 43 sts, (2 sc in next st) twice, sc in next 43 sts, (2 sc in next st) twice. Join with sl st to first sc. *(94 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 90 sc from Rnd 7 + 4 increases = 94 sc)*

**Rnd 9:** Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 46 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 46 sts, 2 sc in next st. Join with sl st to first sc. *(96 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 94 sc from Rnd 8 + 2 increases = 96 sc)*

---

**LOWER BODY (SOLID, worked in MC)**
**Rnd 10-11:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. *(96 sc per rnd)*
*(Math validation: 96 sc from Rnd 9 maintained)*

---

**LOWER BODY (FAIR ISLE SECTION - COLORWORK)**
*   Continue in sc stitches, following Chart A (Geometric Mandala Motif) for color changes.
*   Each round of the chart is worked across all 96 stitches, repeating the 6-stitch motif 16 times.
*   Refer to the **Color Management** notes for guidance on carrying and catching floats.

**Rnds 12-17:** Ch 1. Work in sc following Chart A for color changes. Repeat the 6-stitch motif 16 times around. Join with sl st to first sc. *(96 sc per rnd)*
*(Math validation: 16 repeats x 6 stitches/repeat = 96 stitches)*

**Rnd 18:** Using MC, ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. *(96 sc)*
*(Math validation: 96 sc from Rnd 17 maintained)*
Cut CC1 and CC2. Weave in ends securely on the inside of the bag. Continue with MC.

---

**UPPER BODY (LACE / MESH SECTION - worked in MC)**
**Rnd 19:** Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), dc in next st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st*; rep from * around, ending with ch 1, skip last st. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 2. *(48 dc, 48 ch-1 spaces = 96 stitches if counting ch as st)*
*(Math validation: 96 stitches from Rnd 18, so 96/2 = 48 dc and 48 ch-1 spaces)*

**Rnds 20-30:** Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip ch-1 space, dc in next dc*; rep from * around, ending with ch 1, skip last ch-1 space. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 2. *(48 dc, 48 ch-1 spaces = 96 stitches)*
*(Math validation: 48 dc and 48 ch-1 spaces maintained for 11 rounds)*

---

**UPPER BAND (worked in MC)**
**Rnd 31:** Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch-1 space around. Join with sl st to first sc. *(96 sc total)*
*(Math validation: 48 dc + 48 ch-1 spaces = 96 stitches)*

**Rnds 32-34:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. *(96 sc per rnd)*
*(Math validation: 96 sc maintained for 3 rounds)*

---

**HANDLES (make 2)**
Using MC.
**Ch 4.**
**Row 1:** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. *(3 sc)*
**Row 2-180:** Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn. *(3 sc)*
*(Math validation: 180 rows * 3 sc per row. 180 rows * ~1/4 inch per row = 45 inches. Plus stretching, fits 48 inches)*
At end of Row 180, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing (approx 12 inches / 30.5 cm).

---

**FINISHING**
1.  **Attach Handles:** Lay bag flat with side seams aligned. Mark points for handle attachment on Rnd 34. For each handle, attach one end centered over the seam, spanning 3 sc stitches on the upper band. The other end of the handle should be attached to the opposite side of the bag, also spanning 3 sc stitches. Use the long tails and a yarn needle to securely whip stitch or mattress stitch the handles to the bag. Reinforce stitches for durability.
2.  **Weave in remaining ends:** Ensure all yarn tails are securely woven into the fabric.
3.  **Blocking:** Wet block the finished bag and handles according to the **Color Management** notes. Gently shape to desired dimensions and allow to dry completely.

Your Lucia Crossbody Bag is complete!