| Center your mind with each stitch that you take. Focus your intent toward the reality that you wish to make. With yarn and with hook, the story you'll tell. Stitch by stitch you have created a spell.
Spell casting can be thought of as an action resulting from centered thought and focused intent. The centered thought that arises from meditation and the focused intent that is projected to manifest a reality. The art of crochet combines these elements of spell casting as you center your thoughts through the mantra of repetitive stitches that create an item imprinted with your focused intent.
The item that you can create with this pattern is a versatile cauldron shaped bag. Most commonly associated with birth, transformation, and the infinite wisdom of the divine universe, this wonderful bag is a perfect home for your tarot deck, rune set, or any magical tools of your choosing.
To create this four-inch by nine-inch bag, you will need:
- a 3 ounce skein of black sport weight yarn
- a size “C” crochet hook
- a 1 inch button
- tapestry needle (or other large eye needle to weave in ends)
- safety pins to mark rows or stitches
- black sewing thread and needle
Cauldron bag sides (make two from both front and back)
Please note that throughout thepattern, the initial chain 3 acts as the first double crochet stitchof that row. For the rows that maintain a constant stitch count, youwill skip the first double crochet and begin stitching in the nextdouble crochet. When the row requires an increase in the stitchcount, you will want to complete the extra stitches in the firstdouble crochet.
Loosely chain (ch) 42 chains
Row 1: (right side of work) Double crochet (dbc) in the 4th chain from hook. Dbc in each chain across to end. (40 stitches) Turn work.
Row 2: Ch 3, Work 2 dbc in first dbc. Work 1 dbc in each dbc across to last stitch. Work 3 dbc in top of chain 3. (44 stitches) Turn work.
Row 3: Ch 3, Work 1 dbc in first dbc. Work 1 dbc in each dbc across to last stitch. Work 2 dbc on top of ch 3. (46 stitches) Turn work.
Rows 4 – 6: Ch 3, Work 1 dbc in next dbc and in each stitch across. (46 stitches) Turn work.
Row 7: Ch 3, Work 2 dbc in first dbc. Work 1 dbc in each dbc across to last stitch. Work 3 dbc on top ofch 3. (50 stitches) Turn work.
Rows 8 – 13: Ch 3, Work dbc in nextdbc and in each stitch across. (50 stitches) Turn work.
Row 14: In this row, you will be working a double crochet decrease (dbc dec). Begin the stitch as you would for a dbc. Insert your hook in the next stitch. Loop the yarn over your hook (yarn over, or yo), and complete the dbc to the last step. You should have 2 loops left on your hook. Yarn over and insert your hook into the next stitch, draw your hook through 2 loops then complete the dbc by yarning over and drawing through the remaining loops on your hook. Then ch 3, Work dbc dec. Work 1 dbc in each stitch across to last 3 stitches. Work a dbc dec. Work dbc in top of ch 3. (48 stitches) Turn work.
Row 15: Ch 3, Work dbc dec twice. Work1 dbc in each stitch across to last 5 stitches. Work dbc dec twice.Work dbc in top of ch 3. (44 stitches) Turn work.
Row 16: Ch 3, Work dbc dec 3 times. Work 1 dbc in each stitch across to last 7 stitches. Work dbc dec 3times. Work dbc in top of ch 3. (38 stitches) Turn work.
Rows 17 – 18: Ch 3, Work 1 dbc innext dbc and in each dbc across. (38 stitches) Turn work.
Row 19: Ch 3, Work 2 dbc in first dbc. Work 1 dbc in each stitch across. Work 3 dbc in top of ch 3. (42 stitches) Turn work.
Row 20: Ch 1, Single crochet (sc) in each stitch across. Sc in top of ch 3. (42 stitches) Cut and secure yarn.
Cauldron Bag top
Ch 25
Row 1: (right side) Work sc in 2nd ch from hook. Work sc in each ch across. (24 stitches) Turn work.
Row 2: Ch 3, Work 2 dbc in first sc. Work 1 dbc in each sc across to last stitch. Work 3 dbc in last sc. (28 stitches) Turn work.
Row 3: Ch 3, Work 1 dbc in next 11stitch, Ch 4, skip next 4 stitches. Work 1 dbc in remaining 12stitches. (28 stitches) Turn work.
Row 4: Ch 3, Work 1 dbc in next 11stitches, Work 4 dbc in ch 4 space. Work 1 dbc in remaining 12stitches. (28 stitches) Turn work.
Row 5: Ch 3 Work dbc in first stitch. Work 1 dbc in each stitch across to last stitch. Work 2 dbc in topof ch 3. (30 stitches) Turn work.
Row 6: Repeat row 5. (32 stitches) Do not turn work.
Evenly space 11 sc down side of bag top to corner. Work 24 sc across the bottom of bag top. Work 11 sc up next side of bag top. Cut and secure yarn.
Place bag top to one of the bag sides with right sides facing out. Align the first stitch of the bag top to the 6th stitch of the top of the bag side. Pin in place if you choose. Join yarn in this 6th stitch with asc (work through both bag top and top of bag side.) Attach top to side by working 1 sc in each stitch of bag top. Cut and secure yarn.
Align bag front and back with right sides facing out. Join yarn to top stitch with a sc at the top left hand corner. Evenly space 5 sc along side to row 18. Slip stitch in row 18. Create the handle by working 5 chains. Attach ch to row 17 with a slipstitch. Turn. Work 5 sc in chain 5space. Attach to row 18 with a slipstitch. Turn. Work 1 slipstitch in each sc of handle and slip stitch back into row 17. Evenly space 32 sc down the remaining side stitches to corner. Work 1 sc in each stitch along bottom of bag. Evenly space 32 sc along right side to row 17. Create handle in rows 17 and 18. Evenly space 5 sc to top of bag. Cut and secure yarn.
Finish your bag by weaving in the yarn ends with the tapestry needle. Center the button with the buttonhole and sew in place.
AUTHOR BIO
Karen Glasgow-Follett has been practicing witchcraft for over thirty years. As an avid crocheter for nearly thirty years, Karen has created many patterns that relate to magic and witchcraft. She currently lives in the midwest with her husband, two sons, and a menagerie of four legged family members. |
