Crochet Bag Pattern Instructions
Crochet Hook
Crochet Hook: F/5 or 3.75 mm hook
Yarn and Gauge
Yarn Weight: (0) Lace (33-40 stitches to 4 inches). Includes crochet thread.
Crochet Gauge: 17 sts = 4" [10 cm]; 20 rows = 4" [10 cm] in single crochet (sc). CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
Finished Size
Bag measures about 10" [25.5 cm] wide, 9" [23 cm] high, and 2½" [6.5 cm] deep, not including the strap.
Notes
The bag is made in 5 pieces: front, back, "sides" panel, flap, and strap.
All pieces are worked separately then crocheted together with reverse single crochet.
The flap is embellished with a thick surface slip stitch curve and a tassel.
Use a drop of clear nail polish or super glue on all cut ends of nylon to ensure that weaved-in ends are secured.
A lining is suggested but not mandatory. Craft felt makes an easy-to-use, non-fraying alternative to traditional lining materials. Plastic canvas, especially placed inside the bag’s bottom section, serves as support for the bag.
Decorative tassel caps can be found in the notions section of fabric and craft stores. Many purchased faux-leather tassels at local discount stores are constructed without glue. Try pulling out the faux-leather part and reusing the tassel cap.
Special Stitches
Reverse Single Crochet
Reverse sc (reverse single crochet) = Work single crochet in the opposite direction from which you would usually work (left to right if you are right-handed, and right to left if you are left-handed). This stitch is also known as crab stitch. It creates a rope-like twisted single crochet edging.
Single Crochet Two Together
sc2tog (single crochet 2 stitches together) = [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook.
Special Techniques
Adjustable Ring
Adjustable ring = Wrap yarn into a ring, ensuring that the tail falls behind the working yarn. Grip the ring and tail between middle finger and thumb. Insert hook through the center of the ring, yarn over (with working yarn) and draw up a loop. Work stitches of the first round in the ring. After the first round of stitches is worked, pull gently on the tail to tighten the ring.
Surface Slip Stitch
Surface slip stitch = Make a slip knot and hold it on the wrong side of the piece, insert hook from right side to wrong side in the space between stitches, place slip knot on hook and draw up a loop (stretching the loop to about ½" [1.5 cm] long), insert hook from right side to wrong side in the next space, yarn over and draw the loop through the crochet fabric and through the loop on the hook; repeat as desired. To finish the last surface slip stitch, on the right side of the piece, remove the loop from the hook, insert the hook from wrong side to right side in the next space, return the loop to the hook and draw it to the wrong side. Cut nylon, draw the end through the loop and pull to tighten. Weave in end securely.
Abbreviations
ch = chain; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified.
Front
Beginning at the top edge, ch 41.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across—40 sc.
Rows 2–34: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Shape Lower Section
Rows 35–42: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—24 sc remain in Row 42.
Fasten off.
Back
Make the same as front.
Flap
Beginning at the center of the top edge, make an adjustable ring. Work back and forth in rows (not rounds).
Row 1: Ch 1, 3 sc in ring.
Increase Rows
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each st across—6 sc.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next st, [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] twice—9 sc.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 2 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] twice—12 sc.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 3 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] twice—15 sc.
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 4 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts] twice—18 sc.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 5 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts] twice—21 sc.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 6 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts] twice—24 sc.
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 7 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 7 sts] twice—27 sc.
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 8 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts] twice—30 sc.
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 9 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts] twice—33 sc.
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 10 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts] twice—36 sc.
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 11 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts] twice—39 sc.
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 12 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 12 sts] twice—42 sc.
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 13 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts] twice—45 sc.
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 14 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts] twice—48 sc.
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 15 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 15 sts] twice—51 sc.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 16 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts] twice—54 sc.
Row 19: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 17 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 17 sts] twice—57 sc.
Row 20: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 18 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 18 sts] twice—60 sc.
Row 21: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in the first st, sc in the next 19 sts, [2 sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts] twice—63 sc.
Work Along Straight Edge (Top) of Flap
Row 1: Ch 1, do not turn, working in ends of rows, draw up a loop in end of the next 2 rows, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook (sc2tog made), sc in end of the next 18 rows, draw up a loop in end of the next row, draw up a loop in center adjustable ring, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on the hook (sc2tog made), sc in end of the next 19 rows, sc2tog (working in ends of the last 2 rows)—40 sc.
Rows 2–8: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Do not fasten off.
Connect Flap to Back
Hold flap and back with wrong sides (insides) together and stitches of top edges matching. Use Knit Klips™ to hold the pieces together.
With the right side of flap facing you and working through both thicknesses, reverse sc in each st across top edges to connect flap to back; continue around remaining edges of front, reverse sc evenly spaced along the curved edges of the flap.
Fasten off.
"Sides" Panel
Ch 12.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across—11 sc.
Rows 2–112: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Do not fasten off.
Measure the "sides" panel to ensure it fits correctly around the side and lower edges of the back. Work additional rows or unravel rows if necessary.
Connect "Sides" Panel to Back
Place back on flat surface with wrong side (inside) facing up. Beginning at one top corner and ending at the other top corner of back, arrange one long edge of "sides" panel along the sides and lower edges of back, use Knit Klips™ evenly spaced to hold the pieces together.
Working from the right side (outside) and through both thicknesses, join yarn at one corner and work reverse sc evenly spaced all the way along the edges to join "sides" panel to back.
Connect "Sides" Panel to Front
Place front on flat surface with wrong side (inside) facing up. Arrange the remaining long edge of "sides" panel around the sides and lower edges of front, use Knit Klips™ evenly spaced to hold the pieces together.
Working from the right side (outside) and through both thicknesses, join yarn at one corner and work reverse sc evenly spaced all the way along the edges to join "sides" panel to front.
Finishing
Surface Slip Stitch Line
Holding 3 strands of nylon together and beginning and ending at the top edge of flap, work a surface slip stitch curve along the spaces between stitches of Row 17.
Tassel
Using a 10–11" [25.5–28 cm] piece of heavy cardboard or a thin book, wrap nylon thread around the cardboard (or book) 25 times. Cut a 12" [30.5 cm] piece of nylon thread for tying tassel top. Thread the 12" [30.5 cm] piece under one end of the wraps and tie a strong knot. Place a few drops of super glue in the tassel cap and quickly insert the tassel top section into the cap. Once dried, trim the tassel to create a clean edge. Follow instructions on the tassel cap package to attach the tassel to bag flap.
Lining (Optional)
Line the bag if desired. Refer to the Notes on suggested methods and materials. Weave in any remaining ends.
