Stiallach Bag Collection

Stiallach Bag Collection by Fay Dashper-Hughes

Collection Overview

The Stiallach Collection is a comprehensive series of crocheted bags and purses designed by independent designer Fay Dashper-Hughes. The name "Stiallach" comes from the Gaelic word meaning striped or stripey, reflecting the distinctive striped colorwork that defines this collection. The designer created a complete range of five coordinated projects, each using the same fundamental design principles but scaled to different sizes and purposes, forming what the designer calls the "Stiallach Tribe."

Projects in the Collection

• Coin Purses: The smallest project in the collection, ideal for beginners to the intarsia technique
• Festival Purse: A compact option for carrying essentials
• Clutch Purse: A mid-sized pouch suitable for everyday use
• Handbag: A larger bag for regular carrying needs
• Laptop Bag: The largest project in the collection, designed to accommodate a laptop computer

Crochet Techniques and Methods

All bags and purses in the Stiallach Collection utilize intarsia crochet to create the distinctive color blocks and striped patterns. Intarsia crochet is an advanced colorwork technique that requires careful yarn management and concentration during construction. This method allows for clean, defined color transitions without the bulk that can result from other colorwork techniques. The designer has provided detailed notes and guidance throughout the pattern to ensure accurate yarn management and to help prevent tangled yarns during the intarsia work.

Skill Level and Difficulty

The Stiallach Collection is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the basic crochet stitches used are accessible to those with foundational crochet knowledge, the intarsia technique introduces a new challenge that requires focus and practice. The designer recommends reading all pattern notes thoroughly before beginning any project to ensure success with the yarn management aspects of intarsia crochet.

Materials and Specifications

All projects in the Stiallach Collection are worked in DK weight yarn using 2.5mm and 3mm crochet hooks. The collection uses UK crochet terminology throughout the patterns. Yarn requirements vary significantly by project:

• Coin Purses: Approximately 6–13g of yarn per color option, taking 2.5 hours to complete
• Festival Purse: Approximately 15–24g of yarn per color option, requiring 6 hours of work
• Clutch Purse: Approximately 16–27g of yarn per color option, taking 10 hours to complete
• Handbag: Approximately 71–86g of yarn per color option, requiring 16 hours of work
• Laptop Bag: Approximately 76–107g of yarn per color option, taking 19 hours or more to complete

Yardage requirements also scale proportionally across the collection, ranging from 12 meters for the smallest coin purses to 262 meters for the largest laptop bag, depending on the specific color variation chosen.

Color Options

The Stiallach Collection offers three distinct color variations, designated as Options A, B, and C. Each color option provides different yarn weight and yardage requirements, allowing crocheters to choose based on their available materials and preferences.

Additional Resources

The pattern collection includes a video tutorial to assist crocheters in understanding the intarsia technique and specific construction methods used throughout the Stiallach projects. This visual resource complements the written pattern instructions and detailed notes.

Pattern Format

The Stiallach Collection is provided as a downloadable PDF, making it convenient for digital reference during your crochet projects.