This Halloween has inspired me to make a chalk bag that doubles as a costume AND a treat bag! I decided to use Caron Simply Soft yarn because of its softness and sheen. Plus it comes in perfect colors for little sea monsters!
The past few years we have always spent Halloween rock climbing an easy climb in the dark with headlamps! It is such a fun tradition that gets us out and moving and I usually stuff my chalk bag with candy 🙂 This year we are in Washington for Halloween, instead of the southwest, so it’s a little too wet and chilly for a midnight climb, but I am thinking we’ll have to do a night mountain bike ride instead! I think I’ll even wear my Sea Monster chalk bag and hand out candy on the trail, ha!
Not a climber? Here are some ways you can still use this pattern:
-yarn ball cozy or yarn bowl
-plant pot cozy
-scrap yarn basket
-child’s purse
-dog treat bag
-Anything else you can think of!
- Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern and receive your Fabric Liner and Pull Cord Photo Tutorial for FREE.
- PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later.
- SAVE to your Ravelry queue and receive your Fabric Liner and Pull Cord Photo Tutorial for FREE.
Looking to put more cute in your climb? Check out these adorable free chalk bag patterns!
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DESCRIPTION
Part treat bag, part chalk bag, part costume – this sea monster tail is cute and functional. Throw it on and you’ve got your costume ready! Or wear it to the crag for laughs and giggles. The finished sea monster is 5″ across and 20″ long; made with worsted weight yarn you can make it out of your scraps and leftovers!
MATERIALS
- Caron Simply Soft Yarn (Weight: 4/medium – 6 oz/315 yd) in two colors. ~150 yards in blue and ~50 yards in orange needed.
- Size H (5 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
- Polyester fiberfill
- Finishing needle
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
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet two stitches together
hdc: half-double crochet
hdc2tog: half-double crochet two stitches together
blo: back loop only (tutorial)
GAUGE
4” by 4” square = 10 st by 9 rows of hdc with size H (5 mm) crochet hook and worsted weight yarn *achieving gauge is not necessary if you follow the directions for sizing your chalk bag base, below.
DIRECTIONS
THE BODY
This piece is started in the round with joining and no turning. To achieve an invisible and straight seam, work your first stitch of the next round into the same stitch as your chain and end the round slip stitching into the first stitch of the previous round.
Begin with your size H (5.5 mm) crochet hook and blue yarn.
Magic Circle
(Wondering what the checkboxes are for? Check out this tutorial and make online patterns easier to follow!)
Finish off and weave in ends.
STUFFED TAIL
The tail is worked in the round with joining. To achieve an invisible and straight seam, work your first stitch of the next round into the same stitch as your chain and end the round slip stitching into the first stitch of the previous round.
Fasten onto the front loop of the stitch from row 8 in line with your seam, as above.
Fasten off and close tail up tightly. Weave in ends.
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LARGE SPINES (MAKE 2)
The spines are worked in the round without joining, and are not stuffed. Keep track of your rows with a stitch marker.
Begin with your size H (5 mm) crochet hook and orange yarn.
Finish off and leave long tail for sewing; spines will remain flat and unstuffed.
SMALL SPINES (MAKE 3)
The spines are worked in the round without joining, and are not stuffed. Keep track of your rows with a stitch marker.
Begin with your size H (5 mm) crochet hook and orange yarn.
Magic Circle
Finish off and leave long tail for sewing; spines will remain flat and unstuffed.
Remember you can click here to get a free PDF guide to adding your own fabric liner and pull cord to your chalk bag!
ASSEMBLY
Arrange your flattened spines along one side of your chalk bag, starting with the largest two near the lip of the bag and continuing down to the end of the tail – if you are going to sew a liner, make sure your first spine is not too close to the edge, as it makes sewing more difficult. Evenly space them and pin them in place to make sure they are in a straight row.
Take your finishing needle and the long tails and sew each spine down securely. Weave in your ends and you’re finished!
Loop the yard of paracord through the weave of your chalk bag at the back and tie around your waist. Cut down to appropriate length. Your chalk bag is complete! Add an optional fabric liner and pull cord with the photo tutorial, get it for free here!
Your chalk bag is complete! Get out and climb! Or trick or treating!
Click here to download your free chalk bag liner photo tutorial PDF!
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