Half-Double Crochet Cluster Makeup Bag or Hook Tote

by Janice

Here’s a versatile little half-double crochet cluster makeup bag that can be used in several ways.  It will hold all the essentials, such as a makeup bag, plus room for hand sanitizer and mints. 

Kids will appreciate a way to keep all their markers, crayons, and colored pencils safe and in one place.  But as an avid crocheter, you know how important it is to keep hooks safe, so this was my go-to choice for this bag.

A small zipper keeps all the contents safely inside, but if you prefer, use sew-on Velcro, which also works well.

Directions for Making the Half-Double Crochet Cluster Make-up Bag

Supplies Needed

• Lily Sugar n Cream 100% Cotton (Number 4 worsted weight yarn) in one color (option two colors if you prefer to work the Half-double crochet cluster rows in a separate coordinating color)
• Crochet Hook, H (5.00 mm)
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Marker
• 7-inch Zipper in coordinating color or sew in Velcro to use as a closure (18 cm)
• Pins for holding zipper
• Sewing needle and heavy-duty sewing thread

Skill Level

Easy

Skills Needed

• Slip knot and Chain
• Single Crochet
• Half double Crochet Cluster Stitch
• Sew in zipper
• Weave in Ends

Special Stitch
Half Double Crochet Cluster Stitch

*(YO and insert hook in st, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook) Rep 2 more 3 times, all in the same sp until you have 4 loops on the hook.

Then YO and draw through all four loops on hook (1 cluster). Skip the next stitch. * Repeat from * around. Slip Stitch to join the round.

Abbreviations

Sc – single crochet

Hdc – half-double crochet stitch

Rnd – round

YO – Yarn over

Rep – Repeat

St – Stitch

Sp - Space

Sl st – Slip stitch

Ch – Chain

Cm – centimeter

( ) Work the instructions within the parenthesis as one unit

* * Work the instructions between the two asterisks the number of times indicated.

Notes

• All instructions are written in US terms.
• If you tend to crochet tightly, I recommend using a hook one or two sizes larger than indicated on this pattern.
• Optional:  Work the half-double crochet cluster stitch in a corresponding color.

Finished Size

9 inches at the broadest, by 5 inches tall. (About 23 cm by 13 cm)

Gauge

16 sts & 16 rows = 4x4 in (10x10 cm) in single crochet stitch

Gauge is really not important for this project.

Instructions

Foundation Row: Ch 24

Rnd 1: single crochet on both sides of the foundation row, adding three single crochets in both corners. Attach a stitch marker.

Rnd 2 - 7: single crochet around.  Add 3 single crochet stitches on each corner.

Rnd 8: Ch 3. *(YO and insert hook in st, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook) Rep 2 more 3 times, all in the same sp until you have 4 loops on the hook. Then YO and draw through all four loops on hook (1 cluster).  Skip the next stitch. *  Repeat from * around.  Slip Stitch to join the round.

Rnd 9:  Ch 3.  Work one cluster stitch, as instructed above in each st around and join with a slip stitch.

Rnd 10 - 19: Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around.  Fasten off.

Weave in ends

Attach Zipper

1. Open Zipper. Find the center of the bag and the center of the zipper. Place one pin to attach the zipper in the center of the bag. Work your way from the center to the ends of the bag, placing pins at about every inch.
   
   
2. Close the zipper to find the center of the other side of the zipper. Open again and repeat the pinning process until you reach the ends of the bag.
   
   
3. The ends can be tricky, so you may need to manipulate a little until the zipper on both sides lines up.
   
   
4. Use your sewing needle and heavy-duty thread (work doubled) and sew the zipper to the top of the bag. Fasten off.

That’s it. Enjoy!

Last Words

This is an easy quick way to master your crochet skills and make a useful item to keep or gift.  There are many usese for this bag including makeup, craft supplies, crochet hooks, or as my daughter mentioned, Candy!

If you make this bag, I'd love to see what you have done.  Contact me, or post on social media.  Don't forget to tag me at #smart.knit.crocheting or #Smartfibre on Pinterest.

Half-double Crochet Cluster Makeup Bag:  Pin for Future Reference

If you found this project fun, may I suggest you check out some of my other crochet designs

Easy Crochet Projects

Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a small  commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.

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