A new cottage industry – crochet bags
My first effort using this method was a Kindle cover 
with a strap, so that I wouldn’t put it down and forget it.
When my cardiologist told me to walk for an hour a day, I needed a bag for notebook and pen, hanky and a few euros “in case”, a bag that would stay put round my waist, without banging, leaving my hands free for the Nordic poles. The first one I made was big enough for my camera and a couple of carrots for a friendly donkey I meet regularly.
This was the prototype hands-free walking bag I made, in a combination of a ribbon yarn and crochet cotton. It did the job, but the belt slots were too central, and allowed the corners to curl. Also, it was a little bit too deep, and banged on my hip.
Back view so you can see the slots
This was the second, prototype, made in thick knitting wool, wider, and with the belt loops on the corners. Again it worked for a while, but proved too stretchy
The start of Celie’s 1st bumbag, made in dishcloth string and crochet cotton – a good non-stretchy material. She needed a hands-free solution for working about her farm in Illinois.
Celie wearing her Mark II baggie, improved version with three separate belt loops instead
of the open slots of earlier versons. It is tied round her enviably slim hips with a rope I made on a lucet, from novelty yarns.
My lucet is made from a piece of scrap wood, 
but here is a proper one: For history and basic cord and rope making instructions, http://kws.atlantia.sca.org/photos/lucet/
I have started to make a Mark III version, photographing the process at every stage, and will post this later for the benefit of some of Celie’s readers who have expressed interest. They really are very easy to make, using double crochet stitch throughout (see the video if you want to practise in advance!)
*sigh*
I still want to be you when I grow up. <3
*hugs*
These are wonderful bags! I have a smaller one crocheted from twine rope that holds my water bottle perfectly, so I am never without it no matter where I go! I love your creations… great work!
Simply LOVELY! Enjoy!
How nice!
Very nice, Viv. If men would carry those here I would get one in a minute. It would be a purse, or man bag, for me. But in the U.S. most men don’t do that, YET.
..
Looks like something I could try. Looking forward to seeing the next version.
Very creative and beautiful my compliments.
Long ago I knitted a sweater for a boyfriend, which took me a long time. When it was finished… it was like 2 times too big. And all he did was laugh, while I could cry. The sweater didn’t last, but neither did the boyfriend
I did the same, when I was about 16. That boyfriend bit the dust as well! Not a good idea to knit for them – they think you are ensnaring them and shy away!
I promise I will never knit another sweater for a boyfriend, Viv
Very nice. Learning to crochet is on my “to do” list….
I was half in the bag just last night.
You are so creative!
Wow! Im always in awe of people who make things as Im not a maker.They look really useful too!
If I’m not making something – quick like cooking or slow like a quilt – I am miserable. I can’t sit with empty hands!
I like the dishcloth version, Viv. One of these would certainly be “handy” for my Nordic too. A backpack is a nuisance unless you’re going a distance. (lucky donkey!)
I use a backpack if I have to shop on the way back down the hill.
Excellent. I haven’t crocheted since I was a teen, so that’ll be interesting!!
You are extraordinary!
As Mum used to say, “funny peculiar or funny ha ha”?
My ma said that!