Audiophile Bag

Do you love books?

Do you love your local library?

Do you love to listen to audiobooks when you’re doing chores around the house?

In case you haven’t guessed, my answer to all three questions is a resounding YES!!

I live right in between two libraries, and both are amazing. They also have great digital collections, so I can access ebooks and audiobooks right through the Libby app on my phone.

But sometimes the audiobook collection through Libby is not as comprehensive as I’d like, and both libraries have extensive collections of audiobooks on CD. I listen more when I’m doing dishes and folding laundry than when I’m driving, so I decided to dig out my old Sony Discman. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit in my pocket like my phone does.

I needed something to carry it in that wouldn’t require the use of my arms/hands, so I designed this across-the-body circle bag to keep my audiobook close and accessible. It’s just the right size for an old-school Discman.

If you love books on CD as much as I do and you want a portable way to listen (or if you just can’t give up your music CD collection–believe me, I still have dozens…), give this bag a try!

Another note: Did anyone else get craft sets in the 90s? I was a super crafty kid, so I got several as gifts. It seems like every one I got had a little plastic tube with four prongs on one end–a knitting loom that made I-cords. I kept two, and I can count on one hand how many times I’ve used them. But every once in a while, they come in really handy. I whipped one out to make an incredibly quick and easy I-cord for this bag. You can crochet one–here’s a tutorial, if you want to try it–but if you have the little loom, I thought it was a million times easier.

Audiophile Bag

Hook: J (10mm)

Yarns used: Lily Sugar & Cream yarn (worsted (4); 100% cotton; 120 yards/70.9 grams), 1 skein of Teal.

Yardage: 120 yards.

Other Notions: yarn needle for finishing; I-cord loom (optional).

Final Measurements: Diameter of circles (without I-cord) is about 7 inches (17.8 cm); with I-cord, diameter is 8 inches (20.3 cm).

Stitch Abbreviations:

• ch=chain
• dc=double crochet
• sl=slip

Pattern:

Foundation loop: Ch 4, sl 1 to join round. Ch 2.

Round 1: dc 10 into loop, sl 1 to join round. Ch 2. (10)

Round 2: dc 2 into each st, sl 1 to join round. Ch 2. (20)

Round 3: *dc 1 into first st, dc 2 into second st, repeat from * to end, sl 1 to join round. Ch 2. (30)

Round 4: dc 1 into first st, dc 2 into second st, *dc 1 into next 2 sts, dc 2 into next st, repeat from * to last st, dc 1. Sl 1 to join round. Ch 2. (40)

Round 5: *dc 1 into 3 sts, dc 2 into next st, repeat from * to end. Sl 1 to join round. Ch 2. (50)

Round 6: dc 1 into first st, dc 2 into second st, *dc 1 into next 4 sts, dc 2 into next st, repeat from * to last 3 sts, dc 1 in each of last 3 sts. Sl 1 to join round. Ch 2. (60)

Round 7: *dc 1 into 5 sts, dc 2 into next st, repeat from * to end. Sl 1 to join round. (70)

Cut 6 inch tail, pull through last st.

Make a 52 inch (132 cm) inch I-cord. (You can use an I-cord loom like I did, or you can use this technique to crochet one.)

Sew the ends of the I-cord together to form one big loop.

Lay the circles together with wrong sides facing inward.

Lay the I-cord loop around 2/3 of the circle, so that the sewed-together ends are at the “bottom” of the bag, and the rest becomes a carrying strap. Sew the two circles to the I-cord, leaving the top 1/3 open.

Sew all ends under.

What do you like listening to? What device do you prefer to listen on?

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