The Castanet Cocoon Bag is a multifunctional project – at once a summer shawl and a bag for carrying essentials to and from the beach or market. Worked as a simple rectangle, the shaping is created entirely through varying the length of chains between single crochets, according to a permutation of the Fibonacci Sequence, a mathematical principle prevalent in both art and nature.
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Yarn
WeCrochet Kindred (68% Baby Alpaca, 32% Peruvian Pima Cotton; 115 yds [105 m]/50 g): Goldenrod (MC), 9 balls/skeins
Needle/Hook
Size G-6 (4.0mm) hook
Size F-5 (3.75mm) hook
Or sizes needed to obtain gauge
Gauge
17 sts <9 sc and 8 ch-sp> and 20 rows = 4″ [10cm] in granite st [ch 1 & sk st, sc in ch-sp below] with larger hook
20 sc = 4” with smaller hook; vertical gauge is irrelevant.
Size
42” [106cm] long and 11” [28cm] wide at edges with expandable interior mesh.
Notions
Tapestry needle, stitch markers.
Abbreviations
| Special Stitches | Definition |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| Rsc | Reverse single crochet / crab stitch |
| sk | skip |
Tutorials
Pattern Notes
- The body of the cocoon bag is worked flat as a long rectangle, with handles added perpendicular to the short ends and a single row of edging around the entire piece. All shaping is integral to the piece – the body is formed by chain spaces determined by the Fibonacci Sequence. As they grow, they create a stretchy mesh to be used as a lacy summer shawl, scarf, or bag.
- Semicolon (;) indicates a break in the pattern instructions. Repeats do not carry over this symbol, and stitch patterns or repeats may change.
- Italics indicate important instructions within the pattern that are not stitches, but that are integral to making the piece work as planned.
- Work instructions between [ ] the indicated number of times. If the repeat is noted “until end of row” pay attention to any modifications on the last repeat, indicated with *.
- Checkpoints within a row/round are indicated at their proper place in the row/round between < >. The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row/round between ( ).
- The turning chain does not count as a stitch throughout the pattern, unless noted otherwise.
- A Quick Stitch Count Chart is included at the end of the pattern to help you keep track, row by row.
Castanet Cocoon Bag Instructions
Section 1: Main Rectangle
Fibonacci Sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55…
Spaces between lines are intentional and indicate the introduction or removal of the next number in the Fibonacci Sequence. The first three rows represent the first three numbers in the sequence. The portion of the row that involves the newest addition or removal is underlined.
Row 1 (RS): With larger hook, Fsc 176. (176 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next st] 85 times, sc 3. (91 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 85 times, sc 3. (91 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc 3,[ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 79 times,[ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (91 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 5: Rep Row [4].
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 73 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (91 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 7 – 8: Rep Row [6] 2 more times.
Row 9:Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk st, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 63 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 10:Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 63 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 11-13: Rep Row [10] 3 more times.
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 47 times, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 15-21: Rep Row [14] 7 more times.
Row 22: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <3 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 13 & sk 2 sts, 3 sc in next ch-sp] 21 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 23: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <3 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 13 & sk 3 sts, 3 sc in next ch-sp] 21 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 24-34: Rep Row [23] 11 more times.
Row 35: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <3 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 8 & sk 3 sts, 3 sc in next ch-sp] 21 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times <47 ch8-sp made>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 36: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times, [ch 8 & sk 3 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 21 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 13 times <47 ch8-sp made>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 37: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <3 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 8 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 47 times, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 8 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 38-42: Rep Row [37] 5 more times.
Row 43:Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 5 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 63 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 44-47: Rep Row [43] 4 more times.
Row 48:Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, 1 more sc in same ch-sp on last rep <2 sc in last ch-sp>, [ch 3 & sk 2 sts, 2 sc in next ch-sp] 63 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 49:Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 3 & sk 2 sts, sc in next ch-sp] 63 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 5 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 50: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 3 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 73 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 51: Ch 1, turn, sc 3,[ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, [ch 2 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 79 times,[ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 3 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 52: Rep Row [51].
Row 53: Ch 1, turn, sc 3, [ch 1 & sk st, sc in next ch-sp] 85 times, sc 3. (155 sc, 85 ch-sp)
Row 54: Rep Row [53].
Row 55: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch-sp across. (176 sc)
Cut yarn and tie off.
Section 2: Handles (make 1 on each short side – 2 total)
Work along the short side of the rectangle you’ve just completed, crocheting into the ends of rows.
With smaller hook, join yarn to corner on the right side of your work.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc 55 evenly into side of bag (55)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc 50, sl-st 1, leave the rem sts unworked (short row, 51)
Row 3: Turn, sl-st 1, sc 2, sl-st 41, sc 2, sl-st 1, leave the rem sts unworked (short row, 47)
Row 4: Turn, sl-st 1, sc 2, ch 41, sk 41 sts, sc 3, working into previously unworked sts from row 2 sc 3, sl-st 1 (short row, 51)
Row 5: Turn, sl-st 1, sc 6, sc 41 in back bumps of ch (w face of chain twisted toward RS of fabric), sc 3, working into previously unworked sts from row 3 sc 3, sl-st 1 (55)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc across (55)
Cut yarn and tie off.
Section 3: Edging
Work on the RS of your piece. Use larger hook when working into long edges of rectangle, and small hook when working into handles / short edges.
With larger hook, join yarn to any point on RS of your work, ch 1.
Rnd 1 (RS): *Working left to right, Rsc to next corner. 2 Rsc in corner st, change to smaller hook, 1 additional Rsc in same corner st. Rsc across handle, 1 Rsc in corner st, change to larger hook, 2 additional Rsc in same corner st. Rep from * to last corner. Rsc to yarn join at beginning of rnd. Sl-st to first sc to join.
Cut yarn and tie off.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Wash and block to measurements, or steam block to relax the chains.
Quick Stitch Count Chart (for body of cocoon / bag)
| sc | ch1 | ch2 | ch3 | ch 5 | ch8 | ch13 | ch8 | ch 5 | ch3 | ch2 | ch1 | sc | ROW | |
| 176 | 55 | |||||||||||||
| 3 | 85 | 3 | 54 | |||||||||||
| 3 | 85 | 3 | 53 | |||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 3 | 52 | |||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 3 | 51 | |||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 50 | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 49 | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 48 | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 47 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 46 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 45 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 44 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 43 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 42 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 41 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 40 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 39 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 38 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 37 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 36 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 35 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 34 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 33 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 32 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 31 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 30 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 28 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 27 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 26 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 25 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 24 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 23 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 22 | |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 19 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 | |||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 11 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 63 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | |||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 73 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||
| 3 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
| 3 | 85 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||
| 3 | 85 | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||
| 176 | 1 |
Chart Written Instructions
- Each row can be read from right or left, regardless of whether you are working on the right side or the wrong side.
- When cells are merged, all numbers in that row are worked with the lowest number of chains in that row.
- A cell spanning “ch8 – ch13 – ch8” is instructing you to work ch-8 spaces for the total number of stitches indicated in that box, and does not indicate any ch-13 spaces.
- Refer to written instructions for more detail, including the correct number of single crochets in each chain space.
Chart is meant to supplement written instructions only – not to replace them.
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About the Designer: Beth Henderson
Beth is the self-proclaimed Big Fig and Chief Filament Officer at Fig and Filament! She is an aspiring architect who appreciates the details of a well-designed artifact, whether that’s a building, a work of yarn, or still a figment of imagination. Her two little figlets absolutely love to help with her crochet work – chiefly by inspecting whole skeins of yarn to make sure they’re free of knots (they usually were, but no longer are), and sometimes by storing hooks in locations so safe they’ll never be lost (provided that safe spot can be remembered even moments later).
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