Lace Yoke Top and Crochet Bag

Size: EU 38 / US size 8 /UK size 10

200 g of yarn for the top and 200 g for the handbag (100% cotton, 160 meters per 50 grams), Straight knitting needles size 3.5 mm (US size 4 / UK size 10), crochet hooks: 3.5 mm → US size E-4 / UK size 9 (for the top), 4.0 mm → US size G-6 / UK size 8, 5.0 mm → US size H-8 / UK size 6 (for the handbag), a fabric handbag base to cover.

Using contrasting yarn, cast on half the required number of stitches.

Row 1 (with working yarn): * knit 1, yarn over *, repeat from * to *

Row 2: * knit the yarn over, slip 1 stitch as if to purl with yarn in front *, repeat from * to *.

Row 3 and all following rows: knit 1, slip 1 stitch as if to purl with yarn in front, repeat from * to *.

Once the piece is finished, remove the contrasting yarn.

Stockinette stitch: Right side rows – knit all stitches, wrong side rows – purl all stitches.

Chain 3, in the third chain from the hook work 1 double crochet and 1 single crochet.

Main pattern 1 and Main pattern 2 (crochet): Work according to the chart.

From Row 4 onward, repeat the pattern from Row 2.

Stockinette stitch: 29 stitches and 34 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches).

Main pattern 1 (crochet, worked with 2 strands and 4.0 mm hook): 17 stitches and 9 rows = 10 x 10 cm.

Main pattern 2 (crochet, worked with 2 strands and 5.0 mm hook): 17 stitches and 8 rows = 10 x 10 cm.

Cast on 106 stitches and work 2 rows in double ribbing. Continue in stockinette stitch.

When the piece measures 30 cm (approximately 12 inches) from the cast-on edge, bind off all stitches.

Sew the side seams.

Row 1: Beginning at the right side seam of the back, crochet 106 single crochets along the top edge of the back, and 106 single crochets along the top edge of the front (= 212 single crochets). Close the round with 1 slip stitch.

Continue according to Chart 1. In Row 5, increase 1 stitch at the center back. Fasten off the yarn.

On the center 43 stitches of the back, work a strap following Chart 2.

Left part and strap: Work over the 31 stitches before the last 13 stitches of the front according to Chart 3.

Then continue with Rows 10 through 27 from Chart 4.

Skip the center 18 stitches of the front. Over the next 31 stitches, crochet the right front part and strap identically to the left.

Connect the front straps with a triangular motif as follows:

Row 1: Join yarn with a slip stitch at the side of the 27th row of the left strap. Chain 29. Work 1 slip stitch into the side of Row 27 of the right strap. Fasten off the yarn.

Row 2: Work according to Chart 5.

Rows 3 to 11: Work according to Chart 2 (same as Rows 2 to 10 of the back strap).

Row 12: Work 3 double crochets into the next 3 stitches, chain 1, 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches, chain 1, skip 2 arches of 5 chains, 3 double crochets into the next 3 stitches, chain 1, 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches, turn.

Rows 13 and 14: Work 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches, chain 1, skip 1 chain, repeat from * to * 2 more times, then work 3 double crochets into the next 3 stitches. Fasten off the yarn.

Sew the top edge of the front strap to the top edge of the back strap.

Row 1: Work 2 double crochets into the next 2 stitches, chain 2, skip 2 stitches, repeat from * to * across the center of the front and back neckline.

Along the side edges of the neckline: Work 2 double crochets into the side of the next stitch, chain 2, then 2 times 1 double crochet into the sides of the next stitches, chain 2, repeat from * to * to the end of the side edge. Close with a slip stitch.

Row 2: Work 1 single crochet into each stitch, join with a slip stitch.

Row 3: Work 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches, 1 bobble, skip 2 stitches, repeat from * to *, join with a slip stitch. Fasten off the yarn.

Crochet the same way as for the neckline.

Row 1: Work 2 double crochets into the next 2 stitches, chain 2, skip 2 stitches, repeat from * to *, join with a slip stitch.

Row 2: Work 2 single crochets into the next 2 double crochets, 2 single crochets into the next chain space, repeat from * to *, join with a slip stitch.

Row 3: Work 3 single crochets into the next 3 stitches, 1 bobble, skip 2 stitches, repeat from * to *, join with a slip stitch. Fasten off the yarn.

Using a 4.0 mm crochet hook and 2 strands of yarn held together, chain 37.

Row 1: Single crochet

Row 2: Double crochet

Then continue in main pattern 1 for 26 cm (approximately 10¼ inches), increasing 1 stitch at each edge in every row twice. Fasten off the yarn.

Work 1 row of single crochet around the side and top edges. Fasten off.

Same as for the back, but work only 13 cm (approx. 5 inches) in main pattern 1. Finish as above.

Sides and bottom (worked as one piece):

With 5.0 mm crochet hook and 2 strands of yarn, chain 15.

Row 1: Single crochet

Row 2: Double crochet

Then work 44 cm (approx. 17¼ inches) in main pattern 2, followed by 1 row of double crochet and 1 row of single crochet. Fasten off.

Work 1 row of single crochet along the long edges.

Place the front piece and the long strip for the sides and bottom with right sides facing out. Join with 1 row of single crochet, working through both layers.

Join the back piece the same way, aligning the bottom edge and the lower 14 rows of the side edges.

Slip the finished crochet cover over the fabric handbag base.