Gehäkelte Tasche Bag in Schachenmayr Violena - 2022 - Downloadable PDF

Gehäkelte Tasche – Free Crochet Bag Pattern in Schachenmayr Violena (2022)

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Schachenmayr guides you through crocheting a beautifully structured handbag featuring a combination of three distinct stitch patterns. The finished bag measures approximately 28 cm × 38 cm × 7.5 cm, making it a generously sized everyday tote with a polished, textured appearance. The design is worked in Schachenmayr Violena, a soft DK-weight yarn, and is suitable for crocheters who are comfortable following stitch charts and working multiple pattern repeats.

What Is Being Made

The project is a structured crochet bag constructed from several separately worked pieces that are seamed together during finishing. The bag consists of:

• Front panel – worked in a combination of crocodile stitch and stripe pattern, then finished in the basic half double crochet stitch
• Back panel – worked identically to the front panel
• Side panels and base – a long continuous strip crocheted to a height of 104 cm in the basic stitch, forming both the gusset and the bottom of the bag
• Two handles – each approximately 66 cm long and 3 cm wide, worked in the basic half double crochet stitch

Stitch Patterns Used

Basic Pattern (Grundmuster)

The basic pattern consists entirely of half double crochet stitches (hStb). Each row begins with 2 turning chains in place of the first half double crochet and ends with a slip stitch into the 2nd turning chain of the previous row. This straightforward stitch creates a dense, sturdy fabric ideal for the sides, base, and handles of the bag.

Crocodile Stitch Pattern (Krokodilmuster)

The crocodile stitch is a decorative three-dimensional crochet technique that creates overlapping scale-like motifs resembling crocodile skin or fish scales. It is worked in both forward and return rows following a stitch chart included in the PDF. The pattern begins with rows 1 and 2, after which rows 3 through 6 are repeated five times, building up the layered scale effect. On the finished front and back panels, the crocodile stitch section spans 24 rows and measures approximately 13 cm in height.

Stripe Pattern (Streifenmuster)

The stripe pattern is a lace-like mesh construction requiring a stitch count divisible by 2 plus 1. It alternates between rows of single crochet (feste Maschen) and double crochet (Stäbchen) separated by chain spaces, creating an open, airy stripe effect that contrasts beautifully with the dense crocodile scale section below it. The full sequence runs as follows:

• Rows 1, 3, and 7: Single crochet alternating with chain-1 spaces, skipping stitches from the previous row
• Rows 2 and 4: Single crochet worked around chain spaces of the previous row, with chain-1 spaces over the single crochets
• Rows 5 and 6: Double crochet stitches separated by 2 chain spaces, worked around the chain spaces of the previous row

This 7-row sequence is repeated three times, followed by rows 1 through 4 once more, totalling 25 rows and approximately 12 cm in height.

Techniques Used

• Foundation chain – the front and back panels begin with 64 foundation chains plus 3 turning chains; the side and base strip begins with 17 chains plus 2 turning chains; each handle begins with 148 chains plus 2 turning chains
• Working from a stitch chart – the crocodile stitch section is worked following a printed crochet diagram (Häkelschrift) included in the pattern
• Working in rows – all pieces are worked flat in back-and