Crochet passport bag

This passport-size bag was originally crocheted in handspun, with 2 overtwisted singles (one S and one Z) held together. We like the results a lot, but it seemed kind to provide an alternative in commercial yarn :-). So here it is in Deco-Ribbon, a great yarn for bags of all kinds. It's very simple, just a little pouch, but what makes it is the asymmetrical flap closed by a great button. We used our own art glass buttons, but a large vintage one would be a nice substitute. We'll give you directions for the right-handed version (bag slung to the left hip), but you can easily make the flap with the opposite slant if you're left-handed.

Finished measurements

Bag 6"x 6", strap ½" x 32" Bag is large enough to accomodate a passport, and a Palm or wallet.

Materials

Crystal Palace Deco-Ribbon, color: 104 black/deep red; 2 balls.
1 bamboo crochet hook size I (4 ½ mm)
1 button, at least 1" in diameter.

Gauge

5 ½ stitches for 2" in single crochet. Or 11 stitches for 10cm.

Stitches

ch: chain. You know, just throw the yarn over the hook and draw through the loop :-).
sc: US single crochet (UK: double crochet). Hook into next ch, yarn over and draw through loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

Directions

Bag body

Chain 18. Turn.
Ch 1, sc18.
Repeat this last row till you have a rectangle 12" (30cm) long.

Flap

Slip stich in a couple stitches from a corner. ch 1, sc14, turn. ch1, sc 13, skip the last st. Turn, ch1, and don't sc right into first st as usual, but into the next. sc 12 total. Continue decreasing by 2 stitches every time you turn, always on the same side. When the flap is 3-4" long, and/or the end is about as long as the button diameter, make a chain about a couple stitches longer than the end, attach it with a slip stitch to the other side to form a button loop.

Trim flap and seams in one

After you finish the button loop, don't break the ribbon but ch 1 and hold the flap so the wrong side is facing you. Trim the side of the flap by single crocheting into the edge of the flap, all the way down to the bag body. Slip stich into the top edge of the bag to anchor the last sc, then all along the edge of the top of the bag to the corner. Fold the bag in half lengthwise, wring sides out, and slip stitch the seam closed all the way to the bottom of the bag. Cut ribbon.

Holding the bag so the wrong side of the open flap is facing you, attach the yarn to the body's bottom fold. Slip stitch the seam closed to the top. Slip stitch across the top of the bag to the edge of the flap, then start single crocheting to trim the other edge of the flap. End with a slip stitch into the end of the button loop, and cut a couple inches of ribbon. Work ribbon end all through the loop with a yarn needle to reinforce it.

Strap

Attach ribbon with a slip stitch to the top of a seam. Make a chain 32" long. Turn, making a slip stitch into the top of the bag, diametrically across from where you started. Sc all the way back into the chain. Slip stich into the top of the bag right next to where the chain started, and bind off.

Closure

Sew a button, 1-2" in diameter (2-4 cm), to the place on the bag body where the flap ends. Use a bit of ribbon to sew the button on rather than thread if possible.
Work all ends in on the wrong side.