Part 9 – the last part is here! If you’ve only just found my blog, don’t worry, head back and do, Parts 1 (main square rounds 1-6) , Part 2 (rows 7-9), Part 3 (finishing the main square) , Part 4 (small squares) , Part 5 (side strips) , Part 6 (finishing the sides) , Part 7 (gusset) and Part 8 ( strap squares) first. And if you prefer standard written instructions, head here.
PART 9 ATTACH THE STRAP AND FINISHING TOUCHES
Attaching the strap
First we’re going to attach the main bit of the bag to the strap and edge the strap. First, position one of the short edges of the strap next to the end of the gusset with wrong sides together, and strap facing you.

Then, starting at the corner, work across the end of the strap and the gusset in double crochet catching one loop from each side for each stitch as before.

At the corner, turn your work

and with the right side of the strap still facing you, work all the way along the edge of the strap. You’ll be working 1dc each corner space of a small square and 1dc in each stitch until you get to the end of the strap – so for each square, that’s one dc in the corner space, 9dc in stitches along the edge of the square and one dc in the corner space.

Now position the short end of the strap against the gusset, again with wrong sides together and the strap still facing you,

work across short side and the gusset, then along the other edge of the strap as before. Join with ss to first st. Fasten off.

Final touch!
Finally, edge the tops of the sides by joining yarn in corner sp of gusset and with right side of bag facing, work in dc across the top edge (ie along the top of the small squares), finishing with a dc in the space on the gusset again. Complete other top edge to match.



Ta-da! You have your spring bag!

Your bag is ready to go, but if you like, you could add a lining. There are instructions how to do this here.
I hope you’ve enjoyed following along and maybe learned some new techniques along the way. If you’ve made a bag, please send me a photo, or share one in the comments here, or post it on my Picking Up Stitches facebook page as I’d love to see them.