Create your own soothing microwavable rice bag with this vibrant and cheerful crochet pattern. Perfect for easing sore muscles, this handmade rice bag is as functional as it is stylish. With bright stripes and an easy-to-follow design, it’s the perfect project to uplift your spirits while crafting something practical.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 8.5″ long x 4.75″ wide, unfilled
Gauge: 18 sts x 13 rows = 4″ in pattern
Materials
Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream (100% cotton; 120 yards [110 meters]/70 grams): Aqua (MC, 1 ball), White (CC1, 1 ball), Tangerine (CC2, 1 ball)
Hook: US H/8 (5.0 mm) hook
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, men’s cotton tube sock, thread, sewing needle, 1-2 cups white rice
Special Stitches
Sc3tog/Trinity St: Insert hook into last st worked into in previous st, yo and pull up a loop, then insert hook into next st, yo and pull up a loop, then insert hook into next st, yo and pull up a loop. Yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked in 3 pieces that are crocheted together.
To make the rice insert, fill the cotton tube sock with rice, and sew it shut using the thread and needle, 8″ from the toe, right before the heel curve. Trim off the excess sock, leaving an inch past the seam.
Pattern
Front Piece
Row 1 (RS): With MC, ch 36, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc3tog, *ch 1, sc3tog. Repeat from * to end, sc in last ch (same st as last leg of previous sc3tog), turn. (35 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the 1st st, sc3tog working into same st of previous st, top of sc3tog, and ch sp, *ch 1, sc3tog working into ch sp, top of next sc3tog, and next ch sp. Repeat from * to end, working last leg of the last sc3tog into the last sc. Sc in the same st, turn. (35 sts)
Row 3: Repeat Row 2, break yarn and finish off. Do not turn.
Row 4: With CC1, join to 1st st of previous row with a sl st. Ch 1, sc in the 1st st, sc3tog working into same st of previous st, top of sc3tog, and ch sp, *ch 1, sc3tog working into ch sp, top of next sc3tog, and next ch sp. Repeat from * to end, working last leg of the last sc3tog into the last sc. Sc in the same st, turn. (35 sts)
Rows 5-6: Repeat Rows 2-3.
Row 7: With CC2, repeat Row 4.
Rows 8-9: Repeat Rows 2-3.
Row 10: With CC1, repeat Row 4.
Rows 11-12: Repeat Rows 2-3.
Row 13: With MC, repeat Row 4.
Rows 14-15: Repeat Rows 2-3.
Large Back Flap Piece
Row 1: With MC, ch 28, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc3tog, *ch 1, sc3tog. Repeat from * to end, sc in last ch (same st as last leg of previous sc3tog), turn. (27 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the 1st st, sc3tog working into same st of previous st, top of sc3tog, and ch sp, *ch 1, sc3tog working into ch sp, top of next sc3tog, and next ch sp. Repeat from * to end, working last leg of the last sc3tog into the last sc. Sc in the same st, turn. (27 sts)
Rows 3-15: Repeat Row 2. Break yarn and finish off.
Small Back Flap Piece
Row 1: With MC, ch 14, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc3tog, *ch 1, sc3tog. Repeat from * to end, sc in last ch (same st as last leg of previous sc3tog), turn. (13 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the 1st st, sc3tog working into same st of previous st, top of sc3tog, and ch sp, *ch 1, sc3tog working into ch sp, top of next sc3tog, and next ch sp. Repeat from * to end, working last leg of the last sc3tog into the last sc. Sc in the same st, turn. (13 sts)
Rows 3-15: Repeat Row 2. Break yarn and finish off.
Finishing
With RS out, overlap the flap pieces on the WS of the front piece, so that the small back flap piece is overlapping the large back flap piece. Use stitch markers to hold pieces in place. Turn so that front piece is facing.
Use MC to sc all around the outside edges, working through both layers, working 3 sc in each corner. Where all 3 layers are present at the overlap, sc through all 3 layers. Join to 1st sc of edging and finish off, weave in ends. Insert sock through back opening.