The Design

“A cute carryall in durable raffia!”

It all started with a straw backpack Kit found years ago at a New York street market. The bag is no more, but Kit’s sketch survived! We like the ‘bucket’ style and chose an oval base for less bulky proportions. We created a capacious ‘backpack’, then kept scaling down until we arrived at zippered pouches. With options for a backpack or drawstring straps, you can make a bag for all reasons!

We crocheted a handy smaller version of the Oval Crocheted Bucket Bag using two colors of Wool and the Gang’s Ra-Ra Raffia and a free adaptation to our original pattern. This biodegradable, vegan yarn is made of 100% long wood fiber—essentially paper. And it’s very crochet-friendly! Lightweight, quick drying, and with an excellent structure, Ra-Ra Raffia makes a perfectly beach-ready carryall!

The Details

FINISHED SIZE
Small Bucket Bag: 8 1⁄2 x 4 1⁄2"/21.5 x 11cm base x 11""/28cm tall.

YARN
2 skeins Wool and the Gang Ra-Ra Raffia (273 yds/250m each): 1 skein each in 2 colors. Designate Colors A and B. Or approx. 273 yds/250m each in 2 colors of an equivalent DK-weight plant fiber yarn.

Shown in colors (A) Dune Green and (B) Desert Palm.

HOOKS & NOTIONS
US E/4 (3.5mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.
US F/5 (3.75mm) crochet hook, or one size larger than gauge hook for straps.
4 locking markers, one in a different color.
Blunt darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
Approx. 20 sc/24 rounds = 4"/10 cm on gauge hook.