MUIR CHALK BAG PATTERN

Inspired by the outdoors and ready to get climbing? My designs are all influenced by nature. Incorporating my crochet creativity with my passion for exploring outside is my favorite part of designing new patterns. This chalk bag is no exception; the second I saw Premier’s Muir Woods Yarn, I knew I had to design a chalk bag with all of this in mind. This variegated yarn works perfectly with the horizontally ribbed pattern and gives this chalk bag a lovely and unique look. This is my first time using Muir Woods Yarn and won’t be my last! Soft, silky, and the perfect worsted weight; plus there are so many color options. Premier Yarns is a smaller yarn company, and one that I love working with and purchasing from; if you haven’t checked them out you should!

This design is unique and easily modifiable; if chalk bags aren’t your “bag” then try using it for a basket! I am thinking about creating a sweater with this design on the sleeves. Stay tuned for that pattern in the future!

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park. I took this picture when we climbed in Yosemite and lived out of our mini-van for our year long #vanlife honeymoon.

“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
John Muir

*If you do not want to read about my feelings on social justice and environmentalism, skip down to the pattern description below!*

The name of my pattern and the yarn I used brings up a lot of mixed feelings for me. I feel that I cannot talk about the legacy and accomplishments of John Muir without mentioning how far we have come when our society thinks about “environmentalism.” Muir believed that the beauty of nature lay in it’s pristine and immaculate qualities; that it should be preserved and kept untouched by the masses. This is a noble sentiment and one that gave us our national parks, but is it inclusive? Does it welcome those who cannot afford to visit the parks and did not grow up with this privilege? Those who do not see themselves reflected in historical explorers, park employees, and visitors? It is not well known that Yosemite Valley was not a “pristine” or empty valley when Muir came across it. There were Native Americans living in this valley that did not fit into Muir’s view of a “preserved,” people-free environment. And Yosemite National Park is only one of a many, many parks where the Native Americans were forced off of the land.

My own heritage originates in a Native American tribe on the Olympic Peninsula. It is a remote and isolated reservation where many of my family members are living and working, whom I have seldom visited. It is a beautiful and harsh place; one that I feel drawn to in some ways and repelled by in others. I say this, not because it gives me more reason to care about these issues, but because it has brought them up more in my life and made me think more deeply than I possibly would have. I cannot overlook nor pretend social justice, especially when it intersects with outdoor education and accessibility, is is not an issue here and now. My own privilege in the outdoors is something I am always thinking about and something I want to use to help others. I named this pattern the “Muir Chalk Bag Pattern” because I believe John Muir was an important figure in our environmental and preservation history, but also someone who was complex and who we should more fully understand before quoting and honoring him. I wanted a chance to tell both sides of the story, just a little bit, and to use my craft and passion to do it.

Interested in reading more about Yosemite Valley and it’s history? Check out this article from Outside Magazine.

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Looking for more cute crochet projects? Check out these adorable free chalk bag patterns!

A women holding three crocheted chalk bags.

Octavia Octopus Chalk Bag 2. Sharkie Shark Chalk Bag 3. Dylan Dinosaur Chalk Bag

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DESCRIPTION

I am loving this Premier Muir Woods Yarn and all of their nature-inspired colorways. Since marine biology, and especially fisheries science, was the focus of my undergraduate degree I chose Premier’s Steelhead and Coho colors for my chalk bags; two salmon species that are found in the Pacific Northwest where I live. This pattern calls for two different hook sizes in order to achieve the exaggerated, horizontal ribbing, and is worked on the wrong side – you will have to turn it inside out once finished. Even though half of the ribbing is made by slip stitching, you use a large hook to help the rows go by fast. There are two slightly tricky techniques in this pattern, slip stitching in the back loop only, and half-double crocheting in the third loop. But have no fear! I have linked to two great tutorials in the abbreviations section that will help you master them in no time.

MATERIALS

Premier’s Muir Woods Yarn (Weight: 4/medium – 204 yds, 4 oz) 1 skein will make one chalk bag (about 100 yards needed in total)
Two sizes of crochet hooks are required for this pattern: size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook and size L (8.0 mm) crochet hook – I have recently begun using Furls Crochet hooks and have seen immediate relief from the hand pain that used to bother me. I am an affiliate of Furls Crochet and am so proud to represent their quality products.
~1 yard of paracord for belt

Chalk Bag Fabric Liner and Pull Cord Materials (Click here to receive your free PDF tutorial on how to add a fabric liner and pull cord to your chalk bag):

14 inches of paracord
Toggle stopper
Lightweight fabric liner (<1 square yard)
Refillable chalk ball
Eyelet or grommet

ABBREVIATIONS

ch: chain
st: stitch
sl st: slip stitch
hdc: half-double crochet
blo: back loops only (tutorial)
hdc 3rd loop only: insert hook into the loop behind the top loops and work a hdc (tutorial)

GUAGE

4 ” by 4 ” square = 10 st by 12 rows of hdc with size H (5 mm) crochet hook *achieving gauge is not necessary if you follow the directions for sizing your chalk bag base, below.

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DIRECTIONS

This bag is worked in the round on the wrong side and you will need to turn your bag inside out once finished. In order to get a ribbed look you will be switching between hooks and stitch techniques, so make sure you follow the pattern closely!

CHALK BAG ROUND BOTTOM

Begin with your size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook and Premier’s Muir Woods Yarn.

Magic Circle

(Wondering what the checkboxes are for? Check out this tutorial and make online patterns easier to follow!)

Round 1: Ch 1. hdc 8 in magic circle. sl st to first st. (8)
Round 2: Ch 1. 2hdc in each st around. sl st to first st. (16)
Round 3: Ch 1. 2hdc in first st, hdc in next st. Repeat around. sl st to first st. (24)
Round 4: Ch 1. 2hdc in first st, hdc in next 2 st. Repeat around. sl st to first st. (32)
Round 5: Ch 1. 2hdc in first st, hdc in next 3 st. Repeat around. sl st to first st. (40)
Round 6: Ch 1. 2hdc in first st, hdc in next 4 st. Repeat around. sl st to first st. (48) Round base should be ~4.5 inches across, once you finish entire main bag the base will be ~5 inches across.

CHALK BAG MAIN

Switch to your size L (8.0 mm) crochet hook

Round 7-11: *do not begin with a ch 1, instead use a stitch marker to keep track of your rows* sl st into blo around. sl st to first st. Keep your stitches very loose! (48)