Geo Rainbow Bag

Geo Rainbow Bag by Rosina Northcott

What is Being Made

The Geo Rainbow Bag is a vibrant, colorful crochet tote bag designed by Rosina Northcott as a companion project to her popular Geo Rainbow blanket. This intermediate-level bag combines functionality with striking visual appeal, featuring a finished main body measuring 30x40cm (11.5 x 15.5 inches). The bag is constructed with a fabric lining and long handles, making it a practical accessory suitable for everyday use while showcasing bold rainbow colorwork.

Techniques and Construction Method

The Geo Rainbow Bag employs a sophisticated corner-to-corner crochet technique that creates a clever optical illusion. The entire main body is crocheted in one continuous piece using strategic color work that produces the appearance of individual geometric squares, even though the bag is constructed as a single integrated unit. This technique requires managing multiple yarn colors simultaneously, which adds complexity to the project and explains the intermediate difficulty rating. The corner-to-corner method builds the fabric diagonally, allowing the colorwork pattern to emerge organically as stitches are added.

Beyond the crochet construction, the project incorporates basic sewing skills for finishing. The crocheted main body is lined with fabric measuring 45x70cm, which is attached using needle and thread (or optionally a sewing machine). Long bag handles measuring 9x32cm are sewn securely to the top edges of the bag, creating sturdy attachment points for carrying.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental crochet stitches appropriate for colorwork and structural integrity:

• Chain (ch) – used for foundation and creating chain spaces
• Chain space (ch-sp) – openings created by chains that form part of the stitch pattern
• Double crochet (dc) – the primary stitch building the fabric (US single crochet equivalent)
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for joining rounds and securing stitches

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Geo Rainbow Bag is designed to use Stylecraft Special DK, a 100% acrylic yarn available in 100g skeins (295 meters/322 yards per skein). The pattern requires 50g of each of ten distinct colors to create the rainbow effect: Citron, Fondant, Fuschia Pink, Kelly Green, Lapis, Spice, Spring Green, Turquoise, Violet, and Wisteria. The total yarn requirement is 500g across all colors, providing ample yardage for the complete project.

A 3mm crochet hook is used throughout the project. The tension is worked to a 6x6 block square measuring 7.5 x 7.5cm (3 x 3 inches) using the 3mm hook with the specified yarn, ensuring consistent sizing and drape. DK weight yarn is a versatile mid-weight option that creates a fabric with good structure while remaining relatively lightweight and portable—ideal qualities for a functional bag.

Additional materials include 45x70cm of fabric for the bag lining, one pair of long bag handles (9x32cm), needle and thread for sewing, and dressmakers chalk or similar marking tool for transferring pattern details during construction. A sewing machine is listed as optional, though hand-sewing with needle and thread is sufficient for completing the project.

Skill Level and Project Scope

Classified as an intermediate project, the Geo Rainbow Bag requires prior crochet experience and comfort with color changes. The primary challenge lies in managing multiple yarn colors while executing the corner-to-corner technique, which demands attention to pattern sequencing and color placement. Crafters new to colorwork or corner-to-corner construction may find this project moderately challenging, though the use of straightforward stitches keeps it accessible to those with solid foundational skills.