New Year, New Bag

On Boxing Day I was wondering what I should crochet next. I had no project on the go as the Christmas deadline had been met, posted and received in time. After two weeks prior to Christmas of working and Christmas preparations, I finally had time to think of myself and have a well deserved sit down. But what to make??? A new blanket? Maybe, but really we have enough (there is one I'd like to make but I need to sort out more colours for it).  Maybe try out a new technique? Yeah I could do that I suppose, but no. Hmmmm... Got it! I need a new bag! My current one is filthy. Yes know, I could give it a wash but I'm ready for a change anyway. I know what style I'd like so now to find the colours. These two could work.

I had a look through my Bags & Jewellery pattern folder and found a pattern from Red Heart. It is a satchel style made in ripples. Perfect! I didn't follow the pattern exactly, in fact hardly at all. I increased the number of ripples across to nine instead of seven as I wanted it to be able to fit my iPad in it occasionally and used the instructions for the first couple of rows until the method was stuck in my head. Then I casted the pattern aside and made the rest up as I went along. I put a gusset down both sides and a made a flower for the flap (I love crocheting flowers). One strap later, long enough to put over my head so it's diagonal across my body and it's done.

TA-DAH!!!

Then to empty the old one...

...and throw the rubbish collected in it away.

This is the fourth bag I have made and will use daily. It will replace this one which needs a good wash.

That one replaced this,

which replaced this one.

Now that that's made I'll have to think of something else to make. Any suggestions?