Have you ever had a spicy inspiration? Or have you made any crochet projects inspired by unusual objects? This is the story of a crochet tote bag pattern inspired from one of the spices of India.
It’s a Collab
Karivembu means Curry leaves in Tamil, a leafy spice used in Indian cuisine. This crochet tote bag pattern is designed for the 4th edition of Indian Designers’ Collaboration, Spices of India
Do check out their Instagram page for more amazing work they are doing.
Inspiration for the pattern: A backstory
When I was approached to design for the Spices of India edition, I was given two choices of spices. I took my time to decide if I want to design for the tote. But my heart instantly knew my spice of inspiration is the Curry leaf if I am going to take part. And here I am, with a crochet tote pattern designed by the inspiration of the curry leaves.
Construction of the Karivembu tote bag pattern
The tote is designed with a solid base and band, colors of which are inspired by the curry leaf rice (more on that later).
The body of the tote has leaf patterns, imagined as the curry leaves are dispersed on a plate over the rice.
The handles of the tote are made seamlessly from the band, with an easy icord-like construction near the holding spot.
Though the tote bag has been designed using two colors, it easily can be made using a single color seamlessly.
We have a recipe too!
As a part of the collaboration, I was also asked to give a recipe using the spice of choice. Therefore, I decided to give my spice, the respect it deserves and made Curry leaves the main ingredient of the recipe.
You can find my recipe and the cooking tutorial on the InDesCo Instagram page. Click HERE to view the Reel.
Prerequisites to make the crochet tote bag
Pattern Level
Intermediate
The pattern is written in US terminology
Materials
- Yarn: 100% cotton/polyester sport weight yarn in two colours, about 400 m each. You can make the tote in single colour as well and will require about 800m
- Crochet hook: 3.5mm
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch Markers
- Magnetic Clasp (optional)
- Lining (Optional)
Gauge
22 sts in 18 rows is 4”
Pattern for gauge: Alternating rows of FPdc and BPdc
How can you use the tote you made?
Pretty much for anything: from shopping to your notebooks and even your everyday purse to carry daily needs. It is not a very large tote. I carry it to the cafes with my daily essentials and the book I read when I go on a solo date.
You can use the tote in endless ways.
Get your hands on this beautiful crochet tote bag pattern, DIY your crochet tote and flaunt it wherever you go.
Get your copy from my Ravelry store
When posting on Instagram, make sure to use the hashtags #yarnnmemakers and #indesco2022 so that you can get featured on my profile as well as on InDesCo’s.
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