Batua Bags

Batuas are traditional bags from India. These small pretty bags were initially used to keep paan, mouth freshening condiments wrapped in beetal leaves used to color the lips red. As people became educated and everything Western acquired the sheen of being cultured, batuas lost their charm and became old-fashioned.

History has come a full circle with batuas again becoming a rage. Today they are extremely versatile and make the ultimate style statement. Batua, the term refers to a delicate feminine bag ideal for keeping trinkets or a lipstick and mobile phone to parties.

Used in small to medium sizes they can be made in colors to match with outfits. Thin silken yarns help make soft graceful bags. Thin yarns also give the freedom to include beautiful designs when crocheting a batua. Medium weight yarns are good to make batuas with some bod. Such yarns call for using simple dc and trebles. Multi-colored batuas can be made by using different colors of the same yarn. Add tassels and beads to add to the charm.

Easy to make, all you do is make a circular base of the desired size. Keeping it about 4-5 inches in diameter makes a good batua. Pick up the sticthes from last round of the base and continue to crochet them to form a cylindrical shape. Add a row of mesh followed by a decorative edging. Use the yarn to make two simple chain drawstrings. Insert one from one side the way it is done in casual pyjamas. Use the other drawstring same way but from the opposite end.

To make the bag hold its shape when used, cut a circular piece of hardboard or plywood a tad smaller than the base of the bag. Cover it with a layer of thin sponge and the material used for lining, usually a soft fabric in the same color as the yarn. Stitch lining fabric along the edge of the base to form a bag similar to the crocheted bag. Insert the lining along with the hardboard base in the crocheted bag. Fold the lining fabric and stitch it just below mesh row of the batua. Pull drawstrings to close the bag!!