Retro Ripple Drawstring Bag

Ready for a trip down memory lane?  A blast to the not so distant past?  According to fashion magazines, drawstring bags like those popular in the 70's are making a comeback this Fall.  I'm not really sure they ever went away entirely.  And they were certainly around long before hippie chicks added them to their ensembles.

This one has a definite 70's vibe.  I was inspired by Candi Jensen's drawstring ripple bag (Crochet Bags!: 15 Hip Projects for Carrying Your Stuff) and by Lucy of Attic 24 fame.  Candi's pattern was smaller and the ripple pattern is not my favorite.  For my favorite ripple pattern, it's Lucy's Neat Ripple Pattern.

The ombre cotton yarn creates an undefined but interesting pattern when worked up in a ripple design.  Using different colors for each row would look fantastic too.  And I'm convinced that a felted ripple bag like this would look amazing.

I lined the bag with Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane fabric using the Church Flowers design.  It perfectly matches the yellow and green and adds a lot of interest to the interior.  I sewed it to the bag using size 8 perle cotton thread and big stitches for more of that 70's retro handmade look.

And of course, it has to have tassels.  This is the kind of bag to take to the beach or the park.  Measuring 16 inches wide and 15 inches high (excluding the tassels), it easily fits the necessities.  Even a few extras.