This summer, we took the train from London to Falmouth and back, giving me around eight hours of crafting time. With crochet bags everywhere at the moment — and our one-bag-each packing policy — I decided to use the journey to make bags rather than pack them.
Crochet is perfect for a long train journey: it’s portable, relaxing and gives you something to show for the hours of travelling. My only tip? Sit somewhere with enough space for your crochet elbow! It makes a surprisingly big difference when you’re working for several hours.
Bag 1: The Evening Bag
I wanted a small bag for evenings, just big enough for my purse, phone and glasses. I started with a simple blue denim single crochet design, but when I looked at it, it felt like something was missing.
So I added tassels.
That little bit of extra texture completely changed the bag and gave the simple shape a more relaxed, holiday feel.
Bag 2: The Mini Shopper
Next came a cream crochet cotton mini shopper, loosely inspired by the Miu Miu-style mini shoppers around at the moment.
Unlike the train bag, this one was made in the evenings, sitting in the garden and watching the sun set. Cream cotton gives it a lovely summery, handmade feel and the slightly open crochet makes it feel more like a fashion piece than a traditional shopper.
Bag 3: The Bag Within a Bag
The third bag was a combination of the first two. I started with the blue single crochet base, added a cream crochet body and finished it with a denim top.
This one has become my most practical bag. It’s now my tech bag, holding plugs, cables and my power bank. I can simply lift it from my travel bag and move it into my day bag when I need it — a very useful bag within a bag.
Three bags, one train journey and no extra luggage required.
I think I might have discovered my favourite way to travel: make the accessories you need along the way.
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