Drum Circle

Drum Circle
*drum bag & cover*
Crochet

This bag has put me on a mission.  I was going to make this right if it was the last thing I was going to do!  Thankfully, the person who wanted this bag made was very patient with me.

Construction of this bag is simple enough.  I don't do complicated because complication = more yarn + time.  But, upon completion, I have found that this bag can be left on for practice purposes.  That means you can still play the drum in the bag with out too much loss of sound, but still have it muffled enough to not really bug anybody!


I do want to suggest that you use a worsted weight, plant fiber type yarn.  For example: Cotton, Bamboo, Hemp, Linen, Flax...because it has minimal stretch.

@^~~

The Pattern
Rated: “AB” for advanced beginners
&
“CYOA” for Choose Your Own Adventure
This patterns contains basic stitches
Rounds, and techniques not commonly used
In crochet.
Just about any part of this pattern
Can be tweeked to your liking.

Finished Size:  varies upon drum.
Pattern is written to be adjustable

Requirements:
About 6 skeins cotton yarn
(More or less really, depending on the size of the drum)
A small amount of any yarn, coordinating or match
Size K hook
Size I hook (for handle)
Yarn/Darning Needle
A closure of any type.  Button, cording to tie with, clasps, zipper, what-ever floats your boat.

Gauge:
With K:  1 / 2” per dc.  Each Round’s diameter should theoretically equal +1”.
Therefore, 10 rounds=10”, 12 rounds=12”, 14 rounds=14”, so on and so on.

Note:  When joining new yarn, I recommend weaving in the tails 

of the old and new yarns while continuing

on in pattern.  Knotting the yarn ends together is kind of sloppy 

and may not do the drum-head any favors.

 The bag shown was made for a 16” hand drum and used 6 balls of Lily Sugar & Cream Stripes worsted weight cotton yarn.

Stitches & Methods used:
Stitch (st)
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet
Double Crochet (dc)
Adjustable Loop/Magic Ring
Loop yarn around and hold with fingers, chain 1 then single crochet around x times, join, pull hanging yarn end tight to close
Tunisian/Afghan Stitch
    Chain x stitches.  Pick up, yarn over, and pull through each chain across.  Chain 1, yarn over, pull through 2 across leaving remaining loop on hook.  Do not turn.  Insert hook through the front of the vertical bar, yarn over, pull through and continue in same like manor across, finishing as you did the previous row.  Continue in this manor for a basic Tunisian/Afghan stitch.

Side Rounds (make 2)

R1:  Using the “Magic Ring” method and your K hook, chain 1 and sc 10, 
        slip-stitch to join round.
R2:  Ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc around & join
R3:  Ch 3, 2 dc in the next st. *dc in next st, 2 dc in next.  Repeat from *, join.
R4:  Ch 3, dc in next st.  2dc in next.  *dc in next 2, 2 dc in next.  Repeat from *

Continue around in this pattern, adding 1 stitch before each 2dc in stitch.

When each circle measures the diameter of the drum head, do a few more rounds of just straight Double Crochet to make a gusset.  Even though cotton yarn has very little stretch, a fabric of Double Crochet does have a bit of a “Mesh” quality to it.  I suggest 1 round for every 2 inches worth of the side of the drum. 

Take in account; you will need to do the same for the other bag side.

A drum with a 6-8 inch depth, each Bag Side  will need 2 extra rows of plain double crochet for the gusset. 

Finish-off.

 

Strap (just one):

With your I hook, chain 8.  If you desire a wider or narrower strap, add more chains.

As described in the stitch directions, Tunisian Stitch for as long as you want your strap.  If you want just a handle, do about 14-18” worth of Tunisian stitching.  If you want a Shoulder Strap, about 30-40” worth.  If you want to Strap the strap to ride across your chest like a messenger bag, 60”.  It’s really up to you.

 

Finishing:

With your iron, set your iron to cotton, and high steam.  Iron each piece individually, including the strap.  Tunisian Crochet curls like nothing else!  If you have too, spray your strap lightly with some water and iron it as straight as you can.  Let set to cool and air dry in place.  Once dry, feel free to assemble.

Assembly:

With your yarn needle and a good long length of your remaining matching/coordinating yarn, whip stitch

the sides together.  If you are feeling adventurous, you can even attempt a mattress stitch.  Stitch your sides until they are 2/3 of the way around.  Secure the end. 

With your strap, right side facing out, approximate 2” down from the open edge down and sew in place. 

Repeat with the opposite edge.

With your coordinating or matching yarn and yarn needle, use a back-stitch to make an X and Square formation at the sewn points of the strap.  As seen in the picture here…

 
This will make sure the strap is firmly in place and not flop around.

Add closure as desired.  For buttons, just single crochet 1 round, then on the second round on either side,

chain 2 for a medium size button, 3 for a larger button at the approximate mid-point of that side, skip same

amount of stitches, then finish round.  Single crochet for a third time, stitching in each stitch around.  Attach

button on opposite side of the button hole.



Stick your drum in the bag and your good to go to your local Music Festival or Pagan Ritual!!  Namaste,

Blessed Be, and Party On Wayne.