Flower Stitch Granny Square Market Bag Part 2

Congratulations! You’ve completed a large, beautiful granny square following all the steps in Part 1, and you’re ready to turn the square into a bag!

Gathering Rows and Rounds

Overview

There are 3 sections of gathering rows and rounds:

1. Gathering Rounds

continue working in the round for 3 rounds
all sides get gathered in a little
pattern of stitches same for all bags but stitch counts differ
medium and large stitch counts in parentheses: (medium; large)
add a new stitch: single crochet 2 together (sc2tog)
pictures from small bag apply to all

2. Gather Rows

decreasing details broken down by bag size
cut yarn after first 3 rows to start next three rows on opposite side
do NOT cut yarn after second 3 rows

3. Side Gathers and Handles Rounds

decreasing details broken down by bag size
working in the round, decreasing along unworked sides and adding handles to already gathered sides
add a new stitch: foundation single crochet (FSC)
chain stitch can be substituted for FSC, but give FSC a try – it might just rock your world!

Gathering Rounds

In the chart above, I only showed Gathering Round 1 in the medium and large sizes so you could see the stitch counts. You will still work all 3 rows for all 3 sizes.

The chart only shows one side of the square, from corner to corner. Repeat the pattern along all sides of the bag.

Gathering Round 1 (Light Green)

Chain 1, single crochet into the same space (draw up a loop around the single crochet that joins the previous B round), chain 3.

*Single crochet into the next chain 3 space, chain 3.* Repeat from * to * across the side of the square, 14 (17; 20) times total.

The next chain 3 space is a corner chain 3 space, so instead work **sc, chain 3, sc, chain 3.**

Repeat from * to * down the next side of the square, and in the next corner chain 3 space repeat from ** to **. Keep working in this pattern around the square, with 1 “sc + ch 3” in each side space and 2 “sc + ch 3” in each corner space.

When you get back to the corner space that started the round, sc into the corner space, ch 1, then dc into the sc that started the round (just like you would in a Round B Join).

Chain 1, sc in the same space... — Chain 1, sc in the same space…

... chain 3, sc in the next ch 3 space. — … chain 3, sc in the next ch 3 space.

Continue working *sc in next chain 3 space, chain 3* across the side of the square... — Continue working *sc in next chain 3 space, chain 3* across the side of the square…

... 14 times total (for small bag), until you get to a corner chain 3 space. In this picture I still have one more ch 3 space to go before I make it to the corner space. — … 14 times total (for small bag), until you get to a corner chain 3 space. In this picture I still have one more ch 3 space to go before I make it to the corner space.

Each corner space gets two sc + ch 3s instead of 1. I can tell it's a corner space because it is the chain 3 space between two single crochets that were also in the same space in the previous round. — Each corner space gets two sc + ch 3s instead of 1. I can tell it’s a corner space because it is the chain 3 space between two single crochets that were also in the same space in the previous round.

Continue in the same pattern until you get to the start of the round. Single crochet in the same space as the first sc of the round.

To join, chain 1, then double crochet into the first sc of the round.

For a simpler way to finish the bag, skip to the gathering rounds section my Simple Mesh Market Bag pattern! Instead of working some rows in the round and some back and forth, like this pattern does, all the rows are worked in the round.
To finish this round, in the last corner space, instead of working “sc into the corner space, ch 1, then dc into the sc that started the round,” which puts in the middle of the corner space for the round, work “sc into the corner space, then tr into the sc that started the round.”
This puts you at the beginning of the corner space, where you need to be to pick up with the Gathering Round 1 in the mesh market bag pattern.
Handy Finch

Gathering Round 2 (Orange)

We begin the round in the middle of a corner space. Chain 1, place a marker, 3 sc in the same space. *3 sc in the next chain 3 space.* Repeat from * to * across the side of the square, 15 (18; 21) times total.

The next chain 3 space is the corner chain 3 space, so work **3 sc, place a marker, 3 sc** for a total of 6 sc in the same space. Placing the stitch marker in the 4th sc is important because it marks the beginning of the side of the square.

Continue working in this pattern (3 sc in each side space, 6 sc with a marker in 4th sc in each corner) around the square.

When you get all the way around to the corner space that started the round, work 3 more sc in to the space, then slip stitch into the first sc of the round. (Not the ch 1).

The small bag is pictured here:

Small Gather Round 2 - with 3 sc in each side chain 3 space, and 6 sc in each corner chain 3 space. — Small Gather Round 2 – with 3 sc in each side chain 3 space, and 6 sc in each corner chain 3 space.

Work 3 more sc into the corner space that started the round.

Then slip stitch into the first sc of the round.

Gathering Round 3 (Maroon)

Chain 1, move up the stich marker, sc into the same sc. Sc2tog. *Sc, sc2tog.* Repeat from * to * around. Make sure you move up the stitch markers in each corner. Be careful not to sc into the sl st of the previous round. To join, sl st into the first sc of the round.

Sc2tog: Insert hook into first stitch, yo, draw up a loop. You will have 2 loops on your hook. Insert hook into second stitch, yo draw up a loop. You will now have 3 loops on your hook. Yo and draw through all 3 loops.

The small bag is pictured below:

To start round, chain 1, move up stitch marker, sc into same space.

Sc2tog: Insert hook into next sc, yarn over and draw up a loop... — Sc2tog: Insert hook into next sc, yarn over and draw up a loop…

.... insert hook into next sc, yarn over and draw up a loop... — …. insert hook into next sc, yarn over and draw up a loop…

... finally, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook. — … finally, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook.

Continue working *sc, sc2tog* pattern around.

As you get to the end of the round, be careful not to sc into the sl st of the previous round or the ch 1 that started this round.

To join, slip stitch into the first sc of the round.

Gather Rows

Gather Row 1 (Dark Blue)

Chain 1, place a marker.

Small: *Sc2tog* 17 times total, across the side of the square. (17 stitches)

Gather Row 1 - Start with a chain 1, place a stitch marker, then sc2tog, starting in the first sc. — Gather Row 1 – Start with a chain 1, place a stitch marker, then sc2tog, starting in the first sc.

Gather Row 1 - Sc2tog across. — Gather Row 1 – Sc2tog across.

Gather Row 1 - End with chain 1, then turn work around to work back Gather Row 2. — Gather Row 1 – End with chain 1, then turn work around to work back Gather Row 2.

Medium: *Sc, sc2tog, sc* repeat 10 times total across the side of the square. (30 stitches)

Large: Sc, sc. *Sc, sc2tog* repeat 14 times total across the side of the square. Sc, sc. (32 stitches)

All sizes: Ch 1 and turn.

Gather Row 2 (Green)

Add a marker.

Smalll: Sc. *3 sc, sc2tog* three times total across. Sc. (14 stitches)

Gather Row 2 - Start by placing a marker, then sc into the first sc. — Gather Row 2 – Start by placing a marker, then sc into the first sc.

Gather Row 2 - Then work decrease pattern *3 sc, sc2tog.* — Gather Row 2 – Then work decrease pattern *3 sc, sc2tog.*

Gather Row 2 - Repeat decrease pattern twice more across, then sc 1. Next, chain 1 and turn to work Gather Row 3 back across. — Gather Row 2 – Repeat decrease pattern twice more across, then sc 1. Next, chain 1 and turn to work Gather Row 3 back across.

Medium: *Sc, sc2tog* repeat 10 times total across. (20 stitches).

Large: Sc. *Sc, sc2tog* repeat 10 times total across. Sc. (22 stitches)

All sizes: Ch 1 and turn.

Gather Row 3 (Light Blue)

All sizes: Add a marker. Sc in each stitch across. Cut yarn and pull through the last stitch.

Small bag with finished gather rows:

Pictured here is the chain 1 and turn that ended Gather Row 2, and I've prepped my marker for the first sc of row 3. — Pictured here is the chain 1 and turn that ended Gather Row 2, and I’ve prepped my marker for the first sc of row 3.

Gather Row 3 - Single crochet in each stitch across. When working this row on the second side, end here, and do NOT cut the yarn. — Gather Row 3 – Single crochet in each stitch across. When working this row on the second side, end here, and do NOT cut the yarn.

When working in the gather rows on the first side, at the end of Row 3, cut the yarn then pull it through the last stitch to finish it off.

First 3 gather rows are finished! Next we'll work the same rows on the opposite side of the square! — First 3 gather rows are finished! Next we’ll work the same rows on the opposite side of the square!

Medium bag with finished gather rows:

Medium Bag: First 3 gather rows completed

Medium Bag: On the left, first three gather rows are finished. The repeat of the gather rows will begin in the bottom right corner.

And large bag with finished gather rows:

Repeat

Repeat Gather Rows 1 – 3, starting on the opposite side of the bag, but DO NOT CUT yarn after the third row. Instead, chain 1 to turn the work and move right into the side gather and handle rows.

To start the repeat, draw up a loop in the marked stitch, then proceed with the chain 1 to start Gather Row 1.

The small bag is pictured here, but the same principles apply to the other sizes:

One side of the bag is gathered. The next set of gather rows will start in the bottom right corner as indicated.

To start the repeat of the gather rows, insert your hook into the stitch that marked the start of the side of the granny square and draw up a loop.

Then begin with a chain 1, which is the start of Gather Row 1.

Continue with sc2tog across, starting in the first sc of this side of the granny square.

Medium bag with both sets of gather rows completed:

Side Gathers and Handles

In this diagram, the granny square and the first 3 gathering rounds are shown in black. Then we worked the 3 gather rows, shown in dark blue, green, and light blue, back and forth along two opposite sides of the square. Now we are going to switch back to working in the round, shown in orange, starting at the end of the second Gather Row 3.

For this section we will:

always work 1 sc in the side of each of the Gather Rows
repeat the same decreasing pattern of the Gather Rows along the remaining sides of the square
add handles using the foundation single crochet stitch

Side Gather and Handles Round 1

All: Place a marker, then work 1 sc into the side of each gather row (3 sc).

Small: *Sc2tog* 17 times total, across the side of the square. (17 stitches)

Sc in side of each of the gather rows (3 sc).

Sc2tog across the side of the back. Use the stitch markers you placed in previous rounds to help you keep track of where the side of the bag starts and stops.

Just about made it to end of the side. 1 last sc2tog and then 3 sc in the sides of the gather rows.

Medium: *Sc, sc2tog, sc* repeat 10 times total across the side of the square. (30 stitches)

Large: Sc, sc. *Sc, sc2tog* repeat 14 times total across the side of the square. Sc, Sc. (32 stitches)

All: Then work 1 sc into the side of each of the gather rows (3 sc).

Next we’re going to make the first handle using the foundation single crochet stitch. If you prefer, you could just do a chain stitch, but I strongly recommend giving the FSC a shot. I think it’s a lot easier, looks nice, and will give you thicker handles.

Foundation Single Crochet

Insert hook into the first sc of Gather Row 3. Yarn over and draw up a loop; you will now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and draw through one loop. This is equivalent to a chain and makes the “foundation.” Yarn over again and draw through both loops on your hook to make the “single crochet.”

To make the next stitch, insert your hook into the base of the previous chain, it will make a v, as illustrated in the pictures below. Yarn over and draw up a loop. Yarn over again and draw through 1 loop, which makes another foundation chain. Yarn over again and draw through both loops on your hook. This makes another single crochet stitch, and you’ve now made two stitches.

First side and 3 sc into the side of the gather rows completed, ready to start on the foundation single crochet (fsc). The light pink stitch marker on the left marks the first stitch of the third gather row.

Insert hook into the first sc of the third gather row. YO and draw up a loop.

And draw through one loop. This makes a chain "foundation." — And draw through one loop. This makes a chain “foundation.”

YO again, then draw through 2 loops at once. This makes the "single crochet." The needle indicates where to insert your hook to start the next stitch. — YO again, then draw through 2 loops at once. This makes the “single crochet.” The needle indicates where to insert your hook to start the next stitch.

To start the next stitch, insert hook as indicated, yarn over, and draw up a loop.

YO and draw through one loop, then YO and draw through two loops. Second stitch is finished.

The needle indicates where to insert your hook for the next stitch. If you are getting it in the right spot it will end up looking like a nice chain of "v"s. — The needle indicates where to insert your hook for the next stitch. If you are getting it in the right spot it will end up looking like a nice chain of “v”s.

To make the third stitch, insert hook into the base of the last foundation.

YO and draw through one loop, making the foundation chain.

Then YO and draw through two loops at once. This makes the single crochet, and completes the third stitch.

Continue working the FSC until you have 44 (59; 64) stitches, or until your handles are to your desired length. I recommend using stitch markers to keep count. The last FSC we will join tothe far side of the gather rows.

Draw up your first loop as usual. Make sure the handle is twist free, then insert your hook into the top of the sc of Gather Row 3, yarn over, and draw the loop through one loop on your hook, the equivalent of a foundation chain. Yarn over again and pull through both loops on your hook, making a single crochet and completing the join.

Getting ready to join my handle. I've drawn up the first loop of the fsc. — Getting ready to join my handle. I’ve drawn up the first loop of the fsc.

To join, draw up the first loop as usual.

Next you will insert your hook here, in the last stitch of the final gather row.

Insert the hook, yarn over, then pull through the first loop on your hook.

Then yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook. This completes the final stitch of the FSC handle. Next, start working down the side like you did the first side.

Repeat from the beginning of the round. After you join the second handle, sl st into the first sc of the round.

At the last stitch of the handle - draw up a loop to start as usual. — At the last stitch of the handle – draw up a loop to start as usual.

Insert hook into the last stitch of the 3rd gather row. YO and draw a loop through the one loop on your hook.

YO and draw through two loops to finish the last fsc.

Sl st into the first stitch of the round, which was marked. Side Gather Handle Round 1 is finished.

After joining the FSC, sc in the side of each gather row (3 sc).

Light pink yarn marks the first stitch of the next side. Starting in that stitch, *sc, sc2tog* across the side.

I can tell from my stitch markers that I've made it to the end of the side, time to sc up the sides of the gather rows. — I can tell from my stitch markers that I’ve made it to the end of the side, time to sc up the sides of the gather rows.

3 sc up the side of the gather rows, ready to start the net handle.

Here’s what the small bag should start to look like at the end of this round:

This is what it should look like when you have finished the first side gather and handle round.

Side Gathers and Handles Round 2

Ch 1, place a marker. **1 sc in each of the first 3 sc, down the sides of the gather rows.

Small: Sc. *3 sc, sc2tog* three times total across. Sc. (14 stitches)

Then 1 sc in the first 3 sc (going down the side of the gather rows).

Then start the decrease pattern down the side of the bag. Here we see: 3 sc, sc, 3 sc, sc2tog.

Worked the side all the way up to the fsc.

Now we've worked all the way around to the start and slip stitched into the firs sc of the round. — Now we’ve worked all the way around to the start and slip stitched into the firs sc of the round.

This is what the bag will look like at the end of the second Side Gather and Handle round.

Medium: *Sc, sc2tog* repeat 10 times total across. (20 stitches)

Large: Sc. *Sc, sc2tog* repeat 10 times total across. Sc. (22 stitches)

All: 1 sc in each of the next 3 sc, which are the sides of the gather rows. 1 sc in each FSC of the handle.

Repeat from the ** at the beginning of the round. To join, sl st into the first sc of the round.

Side Gathers and Handles Round 3

All sizes are the same. Ch 1, place a marker. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st into the first sc of the round.

When I originally made this bag, I only did one round of sc around. Since then I’ve added a few more rows for thicker, sturdier handles.

Once you’ve made as many rounds as you like, finish off, weave in all your ends, and you’re done!

Don’t forget to take a picture to share in the comments and on Ravelry.com!

Here’s the pictures of the small bag:

And the medium bag:

Finished medium bag with ruler for scale. The bag is about 18" across and 12" high, plus the handles. — Finished medium bag with ruler for scale. The bag is about 18″ across and 12″ high, plus the handles.

And finally, the large bag:

Large bag with ruler for scale | ~ 20" wide and 14" tall, plus handles — Large bag with ruler for scale | ~ 20″ wide and 14″ tall, plus handles

Thanks for making it through to the end!

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