Create a beautiful, easy, and economical handbag with this fantastic crochet pattern, perfect for adding a touch of handmade elegance to your everyday style! Inspired by a detailed tutorial from “Tejidos con Amor,” this design utilizes lightweight polypropylene (PP) cord, resulting in a spacious bag that holds its shape beautifully and is a joy to carry.
Skill Level: Intermediate (familiarity with working with cord/stiff yarn recommended)
Finished Size (Approximate):
- Base Diameter: Approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
- Bag Height: Approximately 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
- Size can vary based on yarn/cord, hook, and tension.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn/Cord: Less than 600g of 3mm polypropylene (PP) cord in your chosen color.
- PP cord is lightweight and holds its shape well, making it ideal for bags. If you cannot find PP cord, you may experiment with a very stiff, bulky/super bulky weight yarn or multiple strands of a sturdy cotton yarn, but the final weight and drape will differ.
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook.
- Choose a hook size that creates a very firm, dense fabric with no gaps when working with your chosen cord/yarn.
- Tapestry Needle: For seaming and weaving in ends. (A sturdy metal needle may be needed for PP cord).
- Scissors
- Stitch Marker (Optional): To mark the beginning of rounds.
- Acrylic Handles: Two pre-made acrylic bag handles (or similar material).
- Cuban Chain: 45 cm (approx. 17.7 inches) of Cuban chain (or similar decorative chain).
- Carabiner Rings: Two carabiner rings (or D-rings) to attach the chain.
- Carabiner: One additional carabiner (or lobster clasp) for the chain.
- Small Bells (Optional): Two small bells for decorative tassels.
Gauge (Crucial for Bag Structure!):
Achieving a very firm, dense fabric is crucial for this bag to hold its elegant shape. Work a swatch to ensure your stitches are tight with no visible gaps. If your fabric is too loose, go down a hook size.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- dec: decrease (sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: Magic Ring
- FO: Fasten off
Let’s Crochet Your Stylish Handbag!
This bag is constructed by first covering the handles, then crocheting the base, working up the sides, shaping the top, and finally adding accessories.
Part 1: Covering the Handles (Main Cord Color)
This technique involves crocheting directly around your pre-made acrylic bag handles.
- Take one acrylic bag handle.
- Attach your cord to one end of the handle with a sl st.
- Round 1: Work sc stitches around the handle, completely encasing it in crochet. Continue working sc stitches around the handle until it is fully covered and you reach your starting point. Sl st to join.
- The number of sc stitches will depend on the thickness of your handle. Keep them tight and even to ensure full coverage.
- Round 2 – X: Continue working rounds of sc stitches around the covered handle until it is as thick and sturdy as desired. Sl st to join each round.
- The video shows a method where the cord is wrapped and then slip stitches are worked over it. You can adapt this by working tight sc stitches around the handle’s core.
FO, leaving a long tail for attaching to the bag. Repeat for the second handle.
Part 2: The Bag Base (Main Cord Color)
The base is worked in oval rounds.
- Ch 20. (Adjust this chain length for a wider or narrower bag base).
- Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 17 ch. 3 sc in last ch.
- Now working on the opposite side of the chain: Sc in next 17 ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (40 sc)
- Round 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Inc in first sc. Sc in next 17 sc. Inc in next 3 sc. Sc in next 17 sc. Inc in last 2 sc. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (46 sc)
- Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in first 2 sc. Inc in next sc. Sc in next 17 sc. Sc in next sc, inc in next sc. Repeat from * to * 2 more times (3 times total). Sc in next 17 sc. Sc in next sc, inc in next sc. Repeat from * to * 1 more time (2 times total). Join with a sl st to the first sc. (54 sc)
- Continue increasing in this manner for a few more rounds if you desire a larger base, ensuring your increases are at the ends of the oval to maintain the shape.
- The video shows a base with several increase rounds to achieve its size. Continue increasing evenly at the ends of the oval until your base is approximately 7-8 inches in diameter.
Part 3: Bag Body – Straight Rounds (Main Cord Color)
Now, we will work straight rounds to build the height of the bag.
- Round X (First straight round): Ch 1. Sc in each sc around, working in the Back Loop Only (BLO) for this round. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- Working in BLO for this round creates a defined edge between the base and the sides of the bag.
- Round X+1 – X+Y (Straight sides): Ch 1. Sc in each sc around, working through both loops. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- Continue working straight rounds of sc until the bag reaches approximately 7-8 inches in height, or your desired height before shaping the top.
- The video works straight rounds without increases for a significant portion of the bag’s body.
Part 4: Shaping the Top (Main Cord Color)
The video shows decreases to shape the top opening of the bag.
- Round Y+1 (Decrease Round): Ch 1. Sc in next 8 sc, dec over next 2 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- Adjust the number of sc stitches between decreases based on your total stitch count to ensure even shaping.
- Round Y+2 (Optional Decrease Round): Ch 1. Sc in next 7 sc, dec over next 2 sc. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- You can add more decrease rounds if you want a more tapered top, or fewer if you prefer a wider opening.
FO, leaving a long tail for weaving in.
Part 5: Assembly & Finishing Touches
- Weave in all ends: Use your tapestry needle to neatly weave in any remaining loose cord ends. For PP cord, you might carefully melt the very tip of the cord with a lighter (briefly!) to prevent fraying and then press it flat to secure, but do this with extreme caution and in a well-ventilated area.
- Attach Handles:
- Position your covered acrylic handles evenly on the top front and back of the bag opening.
- Using the long tails from the handles and your tapestry needle, securely sew the handles to the bag. Use strong, tight stitches to ensure they are firmly attached and can withstand the weight of the bag’s contents.
- Attach Chain & Accessories:
- Attach the two carabiner rings to the ends of your 45 cm Cuban chain.
- Attach the additional carabiner (or lobster clasp) to one of the carabiner rings on the chain.
- If using small bells, attach them to the carabiner rings or the additional carabiner for a decorative touch.
- Clip the chain to the sides of your bag, perhaps to the base of the handles or to loops you can crochet onto the bag’s side seams. This chain is for decoration or can be used as a short shoulder strap.
Video tutorial
Versatile Uses for Your Stylish Handbag:
- Everyday Carryall: Spacious enough for your essentials, a small book, or a tablet.
- Work Bag: A chic option for light work items.
- Shopping Bag: Lightweight and durable for quick trips.
- Gift: A truly impressive and unique handmade gift.
Customization & Tips:
- Cord/Yarn Choice: Experiment with different colors of PP cord. If using yarn, ensure it’s very sturdy and consider holding multiple strands together for a similar effect.
- Size Adjustment:
- Larger Bag: Increase the initial chain count for the base and the number of increase rounds. Add more straight rounds for height.
- Smaller Bag: Decrease the initial chain count for the base and the number of increase rounds. Reduce the number of straight rounds.
- Handle Style: If you prefer, you can crochet a simple flat strap instead of covering pre-made handles.
- Lining (Optional): For extra durability and to prevent small items from slipping through stitches, you can sew a fabric lining inside the bag.
Enjoy crocheting your own beautiful, easy, and economical handbag! It’s a fantastic way to create a unique and functional accessory that’s sure to turn heads.
