Easy crochet bag step by step tutorial

This pattern creates a stylish and compact shoulder bag with a unique textured stitch and a comfortable braided strap.

Approximate Finished Size:

Width: 10-11 inches (25-28 cm)
Height (at center): 6-7 inches (15-18 cm)
Depth (at base): 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm)
Strap Length: Customizable (approx. 20-24 inches / 50-60 cm)

Materials:

Yarn: Macrame yarn, T-shirt yarn, or a sturdy worsted weight cotton/acrylic blend (Category 4 or 5) in purple (or desired color).
- Approx. 250-350 yards (230-320 meters)
Crochet Hook: 4.5mm (7) or 5.0mm (H/8) hook (adjust to achieve desired fabric stiffness and stitch definition).
D-Rings or O-Rings: Two (2) metal rings (approx. 1 inch / 2.5 cm diameter) for strap attachment.
Button: One (1) wooden or decorative button (approx. 0.75-1 inch / 2-2.5 cm diameter).
Yarn Needle: For weaving in ends and sewing on the button.
Scissors
Stitch Markers (optional but recommended)

Gauge: Working in the textured stitch (explained below), approximately 12 stitches x 8 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).

Gauge is important for the bag’s size and structure. Adjust hook size as needed.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet (yarn over twice, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, [yarn over, pull through 2 loops] 3 times)
sk: skip
sp: space
st(s): stitch(es)
F.O.: Fasten Off
“V” stitch (V-st): (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch/space.
Popcorn Stitch (PC): Work 4 dc in the same stitch/space. Remove hook from the last dc. Insert hook into the first dc of the 4 dc. Insert hook into the loop of the last dc. Yarn over and pull loop through. Ch 1 to close the popcorn.

Pattern Instructions: The Bag Body

The bag is worked in joined rounds from the base up.

Part 1: Base of the Bag (Oval)

Start with your main color yarn.

Foundation Chain: Ch 27.

Round 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Sc in the next 24 chs. Work 3 sc in the last ch. (This turns the corner). Now working on the other side of the foundation chain, sc in the next 24 chs. Work 2 sc in the last ch (same ch as first sc). Sl st to the first sc to join. (54 sc total).

Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in the first sc. Sc in the next 24 sts. Inc in the next 3 sts. Sc in the next 24 sts. Inc in the next 2 sts. Sl st to the first sc. (60 sc total).

Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in BLO of each st around. Sl st to the first sc. (60 sc total). * This round creates a defined edge for the base of the bag to stand up.

Part 2: Body of the Bag (Textured Stitch)

The bag uses a textured stitch that looks like a combination of V-stitches and possibly Popcorn stitches. We will use a modified V-stitch and Popcorn stitch pattern.

Round 1 (Set up for texture): Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3. (60 dc)

Round 2 (Textured Stitch – Popcorn Layer): Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in the first st. *Popcorn Stitch in the next st, sc in the next st*. Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to the first sc. (30 Popcorn stitches and 30 sc)

Round 3 (Textured Stitch – V-Stitch Layer): Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Dc in the same st (this forms a V-stitch over the sc from previous row). *Sk the next Popcorn Stitch. (Dc in the next sc, ch 1, dc in the same sc – V-stitch).* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 4. (30 V-stitches)

Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 for the body of the bag until it reaches approximately 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) in height from the base. The image shows about 7-8 sets of these two rounds.

End with a Round 3 (V-stitch layer) before moving to the top shaping.

Part 3: Top Shaping and Edging

This section creates the slightly curved top edge of the bag.

Round 1 (Decrease Round): Ch 1. Sc in the first dc of the first V-stitch. Sc in the ch 1 sp. Sc in the second dc. Sc into the top of the next Popcorn Stitch (where a V-stitch would normally be). Sc in the first dc of the next V-stitch. Sc in the ch 1 sp. Sc in the second dc. Sc into the top of the next Popcorn Stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to the first sc. (Approx. 60 sc or slightly less due to the nature of covering the V-stitches and popcorns more densely). * This round aims to flatten the texture and prepare for a clean edge.

Round 2: Ch 1. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to the first hdc.

Round 3 (Creating openings for D-rings): Ch 1. Sc in the first 10 sts. Ch 5 (creates a loop for the D-ring, adjust if needed). Sk 5 sts. Sc in the next 20 sts. Ch 5. Sk 5 sts. Sc in the remaining sts. Sl st to the first sc. * Adjust sc counts to center the D-ring loops.

Round 4 (Finishing edge): Ch 1. Sc in each sc. When you reach a ch 5 space, work 5-6 sc stitches around the D-ring and into the ch 5 space simultaneously, securing the D-ring. Continue sc in all remaining sc stitches. Sl st to the first sc. * Ensure the D-rings are firmly attached and covered.

Finishing the Bag Body: F.O. Weave in all loose ends securely.

Pattern Instructions: Braided Strap

The strap in the image looks like a sturdy 3-strand crochet braid.

Instructions:

Cut 3 long pieces of yarn. The length of each piece should be at least 3 times your desired finished strap length. For a 20-24 inch strap, each piece should be approximately 60-72 inches (150-180 cm) long.
Fold each of the 3 pieces in half.
Gather the 6 strands together.
Make a slip knot with all 6 strands together, approximately 1-2 inches from the folded end.
Divide the 6 strands into 3 sections (2 strands per section).
Braid the 3 sections together tightly and evenly until you reach your desired strap length.
Secure the end of the braid with a simple knot to prevent unraveling.
You can then either sew the ends of the braid directly onto the D-rings, or create small crochet loops at the ends of the braid to attach them.

Alternative Strap (Crocheted Chain Stitch Strap – simpler): Ch a long chain (approx. 80-100 chains for a 20-24 inch strap). Sl st into the 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in each ch across. F.O. Make two of these, then braid them together using a simple 2-strand twist or a 3-strand braid if you prefer. Attach the ends to the D-rings by sewing securely.

Video tutorial

Assembly:

Attach the Strap: Thread the finished braided strap through the D-rings on the bag. Secure the ends of the braid to themselves or sew them firmly to the D-rings.
Attach the Button: Position the wooden button on the front flap of the bag, roughly in the center, as shown in the image. Use your yarn needle to sew it securely.
Create a Loop Closure: On the opposite side of the bag (the back flap), locate the stitch directly behind the button. Using a small piece of yarn, create a ch 8-10 loop (adjust to fit your button securely). Sl st into the bag to secure the loop. Weave in ends.

Your elegant crocheted shoulder bag is now complete!