A Cosy Scrap-Wool Crochet Bag – Upcycling, Creativity, and a Wee Pumpkin Dilemma

Every so often, a project comes along that isn’t planned, isn’t sketched, and certainly isn’t part of any sensible schedule… but it grows naturally out of the chaos of your craft room. This bag is one of those makes — the kind born entirely from scrap wool, leftover odds and ends, and a determination to avoid wasting anything that could still become something lovely.

Working With What You Have (And Making It Work)

If you’ve followed my crafting for any length of time, you’ll know I’m a huge believer in using what we have. My stash is a collection of years’ worth of acrylic DK scraps — random shades, tiny leftover balls, tangled bits from previous projects — and instead of hiding in jars or baskets, they get tied together into big, mismatched two-strand balls.

I never know exactly what the final “yarn” will look like until it’s wound up, and honestly, that’s half the fun. This particular ball came from a pile of neutral and lighter scraps I’d separated into colour families. It felt calming and wintery, so I grabbed my 6mm hook and just… started.

No pattern.
No plan.
Just single crochet (US terms) the whole way through.

Freehand Crochet — My Favourite Kind

The bag began as a simple circle, widening out until I had a nice, sturdy base. Once it felt wide enough, I worked straight up to form the body. When it reached the height I liked, I split the sides and chained the long straps.

The handles are my favourite part — crocheted in the round so they became thick, cushy tubes, then folded over and sewn for extra strength. They give the whole tote that nice, squishy, durable feel that scrap projects often surprise you with.

I’d already made a scrappy basket with the same yarn ball, and it sparked the thought that a tote would turn out just as sturdy. And it did — far better than I expected.

Upcycling, Tartan, and My Secret-Hoarder Heart

I’ve always loved upcycling and recycling. I joke that I’m a secret hoarder at heart, but honestly, the thrill of using leftovers and avoiding waste is exactly what keeps me inspired. There’s something special about turning “bits and pieces” into something with purpose and personality.

This love of rescuing materials is also why tartan scraps are such a big part of my work. Proper tartan is gorgeous but expensive, and with hundreds of different clans and patterns, it’s impossible to stock them all. Instead, I buy offcuts and waste pieces from local kiltmakers. It’s cheaper, more sustainable, and I get these wonderful random assortments — like lucky dips in textile form.

And so came the next idea for this bag…

A Tartan Pumpkin Appliqué — Cute or Weird?

In a moment of inspiration (or madness, depending on how you see it), I pinned a wee pumpkin shape cut from tartan fashion fabric onto the front of the bag.

Now I’m stuck.
Is it cute?
Is it weird?
Is my love of tartan clouding my judgement entirely? 😂

Part of me thinks once I add a wee green stem and leaves, it’ll look more complete. Another part thinks a bold, classic orange felt pumpkin might pop better against the neutral bag.

I’m genuinely torn, so feel free to weigh in.

Crafting as Calm

I’ve lived my whole life with ASD and ADHD, and crafting has always been my grounding tool — my way to calm a noisy mind and settle anxious energy. Writing is my other great love, but that requires a very quiet headspace, and life has been stressful lately with my son’s broken knee and ongoing physio.

Crochet, though… crochet always meets me where I am.

Hands moving, colours shifting, something growing under my fingers — it is, and always has been, my escape.

What’s Next for This Bag?

My hope is to get this tote finished, choose the right pumpkin style, add any final touches, and get it listed in my shop before winter ends. It feels like the perfect cosy accessory for cold-weather errands, autumn lovers, or anyone who appreciates the charm of scrappy, one-of-a-kind makes.

Whether I go with tartan or orange, one thing I know for sure: this bag carries a whole lot of leftover wool, upcycled love, and quiet moments stitched into it.