Mochila Cal 2020

Round version

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 1 of 12

A new cal

I said I would never make a cal again, but it is just so much fun to participate in a cal,
right? That is why I decided to make a cal again.

Making a cal and helping the people who are participating is a lot of work. When we
had our first cal (in 2017-2018), the admins of the Mochila Facebook groups did not
have much time to crochet for about 3 months. That is why we said we would never
do it again. But, never say never.

This time I planned enough time so I would not have to stress to get everything
ready. In June I started designing. I crocheted the round bottom and a small version
of the oval bottom, to see how it is best to hide the jog. Then it was time to ask for
help.

I asked Nelda DC Magsalansan to crochet the round version and Ann Holland to
crochet the oval version of the cal.
For designing the macrame strap I asked Franz Amina Vergara and I asked
Angelique Jansen-Maijen to make a tutorial for the ply split strap.
Luckily they all said yes.
When Angelique saw the pattern of the cal she couldn’t wait, so she started the oval
bag too.

Can you imagine how hard it is keeping it all a secret for so long?

The cal will be available on my website marionverloop.com and in 3 Facebook

groups.
The cal is written in two different languages.
The English version is available at the Facebook group ‘Mochila bags, crochet’ and
the Dutch version at ‘Mochila Patronen’.
‘Mochila Philippines’ will have the English version, but you can ask for help in Filipino
in that group.

Most of us are addicted to Mochila making and want to join as many Mochila groups
as we can find. Take note that the Dutch and the Philippine group will only allow you
to join when you speak the language of the group. The group ‘Mochila bags, crochet’
is an international group, in this group we speak English.
(Don’t forget to answer the questions when you apply.)

If you haven’t made a Mochila before, you can prepare yourself by reading the
technique file and watch the videos in one of the Facebook groups mentioned above.
You can also find the videos on my youtube channel, youtube.com/marionverloop
and on my website, marionverloop.com.

After reading this you probably have one big question:

WHEN WILL THE CAL START?

The cal will start on Friday, February 7th 2020.

The list with materials is released on Friday, January 3rd 2020.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 2 of 12

Materials

A Mochila is made with mercerized cotton, 125 meter per 50 gram, with a 2 mm
hook. Some brands are, Scheepjes Catona, Camilla Ice yarn, Schachenmayr
Catania.
Check the file Suitable yarn for brands per country in the group Mochila bags.

Of course everybody can choose their own colors. The effect of the pattern will be
best when you have 3 colors in one shade and 2 colors in another shade. For
example: dark purple, medium purple, light purple, gold and beige, like Nelda’s
colors. Put the colors in this order. See picture of Nelda’s colors.

You can also choose all colors in one shade. For example: dark red, medium red,
orange, dark yellow and yellow, like Angelique’s colors. Put the colors in the order
from dark to light. See picture of Angelique’s colors.

Nelda made the round version and

she used Camilla Ice yarns.

Color A, number 23335, Purple

Color B, number 32537, Light brown
Color C, number 32536, Beige
Color D, number 53806, Dark lilac
Color E, number 23787, Lilac

Ann made the oval version and she used Scheepjes Catona and Yarn and colors
Must Have. The color numbers
given below are all Catona colors.
Ann used ‘Must Have’ for color E,
because she had that in her stash.

Color A, number 525, Fir

Color B, number 282, Ultra violet
Color C, number 520, Lavender
Color D, number 402, Silver green
Color E, number 172, Silver

Angelique made the oval version

and she used Schachenmayr
Catania.

Color A, number 192, Wine

Color B, number 208, Sun yellow
Color C, number 403, Vanilla
Color D, number 115, Red
Color E, number 189, Orange

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 3 of 12

Number of skeins per color

3 skeins, color A
2 skeins, color B
3 skeins, color C
2 skeins, color D
2 skeins, color E
Crochet hook 2 (or 2,5 mm)

This will be enough for the bag, cord and strap, when the strap is crocheted or
woven.

If you want to make a ply split strap or macrame strap you will need more yarn.
Probably about one skein extra for each color.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 4 of 12

Measurements

The diameter of the round Mochila is about 21 to 22 cm / 8.3 to 8.7 inch.

The height of the round Mochila is about 25,5 to 30 cm / 10 to 11.8 inch.

The bottom of the oval Mochila is about 30 to 32 cm / 11.8 to 12,5 inch by 10 cm / 4

inch. The height of the oval Mochila will be about 22 to 24 cm / 8.6 to 9.5 inch.

The sizes given are for when you use recommended yarn and a 2 mm hook.
Because everybody crochets different, the size can be different.

Try to keep your stitches as low as possible. Check this video to know how to do
that. youtu.be/R1eyiGfqRvs

Abbreviations

A = color A
B = color B
C = color C
D = color D
E = color E
2A = crochet 2 stitches with color a
inc = increase (2 single crochet in the next single crochet)
inc A = increase with color A
inc BA = make a two color increase, one stitch with color B and one with color A
** = repeat what is between * *
[ ] = the number of times you have to repeat what is between * *
( ) = the number of stitches at the end of the round

Invisible decrease, There is a decreases in this pattern. The decrease is not done

back loop in the traditional way.

Insert the hook in the back loop of the second stitch from the
hook and then in the stitch to the right of that stitch. Yarn over
and pull through two loops on your hook. Yarn over again and
pull through two loops. In this video you can see how to make
the invisible decrease. youtu.be/yKsQWavsiSw

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 5 of 12

A few important things to remember

Please pay attention to the order of the colors.

The order should be A, D, E, B, C
A, D, E for the three colors in one shade. So A is dark, D is medium and E is light.
B, C for the two colors in another shade. So B is dark and C is light.

A Mochila is crocheted through back loop only.

You do not close the round with a slip stitch.

The first pull through should always be yarn over.

When you change color, the second pull through of the single crochet should be
with the new color.

Put a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round.

The stitches have to be tight. You need to have 7 to 8 stitches in 2 cm / 9 to 10 in

1 inch. And 2 rounds should be about 0.9 cm high.
When 2 rounds are only 1 mm higher, then the side of the bag will be 3 cm higher.
When 2 rounds are 2 mm higher, then the side of the bag will be 6 cm higher.

For this pattern you sometimes have to make an increase with 2 colors. In this
video you can see how to make a 2 color increase. youtu.be/6HK0kgj4HPs

In this video you can see the basics of the Mochila technique. youtu.be/
BS2t9lE57ZM

When you finished two rounds of the side, make a

tube out of placemats or cardboard that fits in your
work. Put the tube in your work after each round to
check if the circumference is still the same. When
your work is smaller of wider redo that round.

You read the graphs from right to left (anti clock

wise).
If you would read them from left to right the jog will not look good!

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 6 of 12

Week 1

We will start with crocheting 12 rounds of the bottom.

There are two increase options, 10 and 12 increases. I did not add instructions for 8
increases, because there are not many people who can make a flat and firm bottom
with only 8 increases.

I want to thank my oldest son for making the graphs with 10 and 12 increases. Not
having to divide a bottom in section and crochet one part several times makes it so
much easier.

Part 1 of the round bottom

It is important that your Mochila has a flat bottom. When the bottom is cupping, part
of the bottom will become the side. This will make the bag smaller and higher. When
the bottom is wavy, the side will also be wavy and it won’t be firm.

For this pattern there are two increase options, 10 increases and 12 increases. How
many increases is needed, differs for each person. If you haven’t made a Mochila
before, I advice you to try 10 increases first. If it becomes a bowl shape (cupping),
then try 12 increases.

Below you will find written instructions for 10 increases (in black), and 12 increases
(in blue).
In this video you can see how to start a bottom when you need 10 increases.
youtu.be/yO6eL4DeOmk

In this video you can see how to start a bottom when you need 12 increases.
youtu.be/YB2WbW9FK1c

On page 10 and 11 you will find graphs for 10 and 12 increases.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 7 of 12

Written instructions

You have to crochet over all the yarns. Every round you add one yarn, see
instructions below for when to add what color.
Adding one yarn each round makes it easier to keep the bottom flat. Once you
added all the yarns, you keep crocheting over all the yarns.

1. With color A, crochet 5 stitches in the magic circle / With color A, crochet 6
stitches in the magic circle

Add color B yarn

2. * inc A * [5x] [6x] (10) (12)

Add color C yarn

3. * inc A * [10x] [12x] (20) (24)

Add color D yarn

At the end of round 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 the pattern is a little different, this is to make the
jog less noticeable.

4. * inc B, 1B, inc A, 1A * [4x] [5x], inc B, 1B, inc BA, 1A (30) (36)

Add color E yarn

5. 2A, * inc B, 2B, inc A, 2A * [4x] [5x], inc B, 2B, inc BA (40) (48)
6. * 3A, inc A, 3B, inc B* [4x] [5x], 3A, inc A, 3B, inc CB (50) (60)
7. 2B, * inc A, 1D, 3A, inc B, 1C, 3B [4x] [5x], inc A, 1D, 3A, inc B, 1B, 1C (60) (72)
8. 1C, 3B, * 1A, inc AD, 1D, 3A, 1B, inc BC, 1C, 3B * [4x] [5x], 1A, inc AD, 1D, 3A,
1B, inc B (70) (84)
9. 3C, inc B, 1B, * 2A, 3D, inc A, 1A, 2B, 3C, inc B, 1B * [4x] [5x], 2A, 3D, inc A, 1A,
2B (80) (96)
10. 2B, 3C, inc B, 1B, * 3A, 3D, inc A, 1A, 3B, 3C, inc B, 1B * [4x] [5x], 3A, 3D, inc A,
1A, 1B (90) (108)

At the end of round 11 you crochet one extra stitch with color A, as mentioned below.
With this extra stitch, you change the start of the round. This is to make the jog less
noticeable. So in round 11 you crochet 101 or 121 stitches, but the total number of
stitches is 100 or 120. Move the marker to the new starting position of the round.

11. * 4B, inc C, 1C, 3B, 4A, inc D, 1D, 3A * [4x] [5x], 4B, inc C, 1C, 3B, 4A, inc D, 1D,
4A (100) (120)
12. * 2B, inc B, 2B, 2C, 3B, 2A, inc A, 2A, 2D, 3A * [5x] [6x] (110) (132)

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 8 of 12

Working with the graph

On page 10 and 11 you see two graphs with the first 12 rounds. One graph for 10
increases and one for 12 increases.

You read the graph anti clockwise, so from right to left.

When you are left handed, please also read the graph from right to left. If you would
read the graph from left to right the jog will not look good.

The black line marks the beginning of the round.

The red lines mark where you have to make the increases.

You have to crochet over all the yarns. Every round you add one yarn. Adding one
yarn each round makes it easier to keep the bottom flat. Once you added all the
yarns, you keep crocheting over all the yarns.
Add color B yarn in round 2, add color C yarn in round 3, add color D yarn in round 4
and add color E yarn in round 5.

At the end of round 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 the pattern is a little different, this is to make the
jog less noticeable.

At the end of round 11 you crochet one extra stitch with color A. In the graph the last
stitch of round 11 is cut in two with a small black line. With this extra stitch, you
change the start of the round. This is to make the jog less noticeable. So in round 11
you crochet 101 or 121 stitches, but the total number of stitches is 100 or 120. Move
the marker to the new starting position of the round.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 9 of 12

10 increases

Please read the instructions on page 9, before you start.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 10 of 12

12 increases

Please read the instructions on page 9, before you start.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 11 of 12

The first 12 rounds of the round bottom will look like this.

(Nelda increased 12 times)

The diameter will be about, 10 to 11 cm / 3.9 to 4.3 inch.

Sizes can be different for each person. Everybody crochets differently.

© Marion Verloop © Cal 2020 round Page 12 of 12