Mamy Bag by Cecile

The Mamy Bag by Cécile Franconie was written in French. By using Cecile's photos in her pattern, I was able to create an English version. Feel free to use the pattern. Cecile has given me permission to use it and share my version. I did change the hexagon in her pattern. It was easier than working out the translation for the crochet instructions.

I taught this as a class at Westport Yarns.

Size is approximately 22” wide x 16” tall x 4” bottom.
Supplies
Approximately 1200 yards of cotton classic orsimilar yarn, in a variety of colors - I recommend combinations of 2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 colors.

E hook (or hook necessary to get a gauge), locking stitch markers,
tapestry needle, scissor, iron-on interfacing, handles or crochet straps with leftover yarn, sewing thread and needle, 1-2 yards of fabric for lining,
clear nylon thread for sewing handles.

Gauge: 1 Hexagon measures 4” across and 5” from point to point.

Special Stitches/Techniques
Sliding Loop
Extended double crochet (edc): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch or space indicated and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 1 loop on hook, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook) 2 times.

Leaning tower stitch: complete 1 edc in stitch or space indicated, work 2 dc into base of edc just made as follows: *yarn over, insert hook under both strands which form base of edc and pull up a loop, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 2 times*; repeat from * to * once more.

Partial leaning tower stitch: Complete 1 edc in stitch or space indicated, dc into base of edc just made as follows: yarn over, insert hook under both strands which form base of previous edc and pull up a loop, (yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 2 times.

Notes:
Check each round for accuracy before fastening off.
Weave in ends often.
When joining new color, you count the ch 3 after the sl st is completed.
Join new color in a different spot than where you fastened off to prevent bulk of ends in one spot.
Keep track of colors using the table below to insure even usage of colors.

Hexagaon: Make 48


Begin with sliding loop with color a.

Round 1: Ch 1, 12 sc in ring, pull sliding loop closed. Join with sl st to first sc.

Round 2: ch 4, partial leaning tower st in same st, *ch 1, skip 1 sc, leaning tower st in next sc*; rep from * to * 4 more times, skip 1 sc, join with sl st to top of ch 4. Fasten off color a.

Round 3: Join color b with sl st in any ch 1 sp on round 2. Ch 3, leaning tower st in same sp as join, (2 leaning tower sts in next ch 1 sp) 5 times, partial leaning tower st in same sp as join. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Fasten off color b.

Round 4: Join color c with sl st in any sp between 2 leaning tower sts (that stem from same sp). Ch 3, leaning tower st in same sp as join, leaning tower st in sp between next 2 leaning tower sts, *2 leaning tower sts in sp between next 2 leaning tower sts, leaning tower st in sp between next 2 tower sts*; rep from * to * 4 more times. Partial leaning tower st in same sp as join. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Fasten off color c.

Round 5: Join color d with sl st in any sp between 2 leaning tower sts (that stem from same sp). Ch 3, leaning tower st in same sp as join, *(leaning tower st in sp between next 2 tower sts) 2 times **, 2 leaning tower sts in sp between next 2 tower sts*; rep from * to * around, ending last repeat at **, partial leaning tower st in same sp as join. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. Fasten off color d.

Finishing: Lay out the hexagons as pictured below, right side facing up towards you. Make sure the colors are balanced throughout the bag. Pin them together with locking stitch markers. Work a sc seam to join the hexagons together. I crocheted from one end of the bag to the other and kept going up and down the bag until there were no more continuous seams to work. Then I fastened off and crocheted whatever seams I missed.

Once the bag is crocheted together into one piece, you can line it. We used iron-on interfacing. There were two methods here. 1. iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the bag and then sew the fabric lining over it. 2. Sandwich the interfacing between 2 layers of fabric. Using double sided interfacing, iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric and then iron the other piece of fabric to the top of the interfacing. Then sew this to the bag.

Have fun with it. It's a great pattern with lots of room for creative interpretation.