Soap Saver Massage Bag - Free Pattern

I've always like the idea of soap bags.  Not only is it convenient to have a washcloth and soap combined, it's a great way to use up all those little pieces of soap that I always seem to have  in the corners of my shower and in soap dishes.  Now when the bar of soap gets to the size where nobody uses it, I just add it to my soap bag.

I have made other soap bags of different sizes and design, but particularly like the compact size and how the little bumps massage the skin while I'm getting clean.  I was going to get out my boxes of finished items that I have stashed in the back so I could share pictures of the other soap bag designs I have made; but just getting to the boxes was more of a task than I felt like tackling today!  Feel free to contact me with any questions if you decide to try the pattern and find yourself with questions.

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Clyde's Pattern for Soap Saver Massage Bag

Materials I used:
US – J/10  (6.0 mm) hook
I used Cotton “Peaches & Cream” for the multi-color ones.  The solid Yellow was a little bit heavier cotton yarn from my stash that has no identifying tags.
 
I used what I’m gonna call a Bubble Stitch (Bubble) to make the bumps on the front.  I had used a similar technique on a blanket that is still one of my favorites.  Of course I couldn’t find the pattern for that blanket that had the exact name and instructions for the stitch – but after some trial and error I think I got it close enough for my purposes.
 
Instructions  for Bubble:  *Yo, insert hook into st, pull up a loop* 3 times, working in the same st each time. This should leave you 8 loops on the hook when you are done. Yo and pull through all but 1 of the loops, then yo one more time and pull through the two loops left. 
NOTE:  If you want larger bubbles then just add one or two more yo (4 or 5) before pulling through.
 
Row 1: Ch 8. Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch to end. Turn. (7 hdc)
 
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of row. Turn. (7 hdc)

From this point on you'll work in rounds (around the edges of the rectangle made from rows 1 and 2.
 

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Round 1: Ch 1, hdc in each st to end of row, then work 1 hdc in the ends of each row end, continue down the side of the starting chain with 1 hdc in each ch, 1 hdc in each of the other ends of the rows. Join with a sl st to first hdc.  Don’t turn. (This is the only time you will not turn your work at the end of each round.) You should have a total of 18 hdc in the round when finished.

Round 2: Ch 1. *Sc in next st, dc in next st* 4 times. Sc in next 1 st. **Bubble  in next st, sc in next 2 sts** 2 times. Bubble in next st, 1 sc in next st, dc in last st, and join with sl st to first sc. Turn. (18 sts)

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Round 3:  Ch 1. Start in the last dc (not the sl st)  *Sc in next st, dc in next st* 9 times.  join with sl st to first sc. Turn. (18 sts)
 
Round 4 – 9:  Repeat Rounds 2 & 3 three times.
 
Round 10: Ch 2, dc in each st.  Turn. (18 dc)

Round 11: Ch 1, hdc in each st (18 hdc). Tie off and weave in the tail.
 
To make a Drawstring: Chain 50 (keep chain tight). Weave through top of Round 10 tie knots in ends  of each side and and trim. You can leave drawstring with 2 ends to make a bow, or tie the 2 ends together to make a loop for hanging in your shower.  Because the cotton yarn holds water so well, I always hang mine from one of the shower curtain hooks in the shower so it will dry better. When it dries, the soap will be stuck to the inside of the bag until you soak the bag again the next time you are in the shower/bath.
 
Now you can add your favorite soap and it’s ready to go!

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Here are links to some other free Soap Saver patterns you may want to try:

"Absolutely Easy Soap Saver" by Rachel Chol at Crochetspot.com

Soap Saver Pattern at Swirls & Sprinkles Blog

Ribbed Soap Saver from crochetncraft.com

Crochet Soap Saver (also from Crochetncraft.com)

Pampering Massage Soap Saver by Tamera Kelly from Moogly -
(this one is quite similar to the one I used)

Easy Soap Saver Crochet Pattern by Amy Ranmarine from thestitchinmommy.com
(good beginner pattern)

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If you have a favorite Soap Saver pattern of your own that you would like to share, feel free to post a link in the comment section.  I've enjoyed seeing all the different variations on this popular item.