I think it’s safe to say that this is my new favorite crochet bag or purse design. I love the colors, the stitch pattern and the size, although I think I may shrink it down a bit in the wash. It’s a great size though for books, a purse and other similar uses.
The top of the bag tapers off a bit, which in my opinion makes it better for a zipper if you want to insert one. If you don’t like this look, you can always work it in a straight pattern to the very top.
The Stitch Pattern
The stitch is the crunch stitch, with the half double crochet and slip stitch. BUT, instead of working your stitches into both loops of each stitch, they are alternated between the front and back loops. The half double crochet is worked into the front loops of the stitch, and the slip stitch is worked into the back loops. This creates a unique texture and color design.
The Construction
Bottom. The bag is worked from the bottom up. The bottom is worked in a rectangle with single crochets. You start off with a long chain, then crochet on both sides of the chains to create the first round for the rectangle. Here is a tutorial to help if you’ve not done this before: Working on Opposite Side of Chain
Body. The body is worked with the crunch stitch as outlined above. The second color of yarn is introduced here. The body is worked in an even pattern until you get to the top, where I tapered the last few rounds. It’s your call as to whether you want to work it as instructed or to continue to work it straight.
The Handles. As shown, the handles are worked separately from the bag, and then attached to the bag. This makes for a nice handbag, but you can also do the “tote” version by working the handles in one piece with the bag. Here is a tutorial on how to do that: How to Make Crochet Bag Handles
The Lining
A lining is essential in helping the bag to keep its shape when filled with heavy items. It also adds durability to the bag. The following tutorial shows how to add a zipper along with a lining with simple pockets to hold your keys, cell and wallet. Lining a Crochet Purse
Recommended Yarn
I used two colors of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, a #4 worsted weight cotton yarn. I chose the off-white with the Country Red color combination, but any two colors would look great.
Other Patterns to Try
- Moss Stitch Beginner Crochet Bag
- Single Crochet Bag
- Puffy Spike Stitch Crochet Tote Bag
- Blossom Crochet Beach Bag Pattern
- Crochet Bag Pattern – Lacy Textures
Purchase Your Printable PDF
Alternating Crochet Bag
Skill Level
Materials
- Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton (2 colors) I worked off of 14oz balls and still had lots left over.
- Crochet Hook: H/8-5.00mm
- Other: Measuring Tape, Scissors, Yarn Needle.
Measurements
- Gauge: 2" over 7 sc sts.
- Finished Size: 11.75" wide by 12" high when laying flat. Bottom is 3.5" wide.
Abbreviations
- CA = Color A
- CB = Color B
- RS = Right Side
- WS = Wrong Side
- Blsc = Back Loop Single Crochet
- Blslst = Back Loop Slip Stitch
- Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains
- Flhdc = Front Loop Half Double Crochet
- FO = Fasten Off
- Lp/Lps = Loop/Loops
- Rep = Repeat
- Sc = Single Crochet
- Sc2tog = Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches
Notes
- Use the Tight Slip Stitch Join to keep a straight seam, or whatever other method you may have.
- All rounds are joined in both loops of first stitch made in round.
- Color changes are made after the joining slip stitch when working in the rounds. When working in rows for the handle, the color change is made at the last yarn over in last stitch in the row.
- If you experience difficulties making the first flhdc and blslst in each round, try wiggling the hook and keeping the stitches loose, but not too loose.
- The stitches are alternated with the half double crochet worked into the front loop only of the slip stitch, and the slip stitch is worked into the back loop only of the half double crochet.
Instructions
- Rnd 1: With CA, ch 24, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 21 chs, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting chains, sc in free lps of next 21 chs, 2 sc in last ch; join with sl st to first sc. (48 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 1, 3 sc in same st as join, *sc in next 21 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next st*, 3 sc in next st; rep from * to * once; join with sl st to first sc. (56 sts)
- Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 3 sc in next st*, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to * once, then sc in last 2 sts; join with sl st to first sc. (64 sts)
- Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next st, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 25 sts, 3 sc in next st*, sc in next 5 sts; rep from * to * once, then sc in last 3 sts; join with sl st to first sc. (72 sts)
- Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 2 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 27 sts, 3 sc in next st*, sc in next 7 sts; rep from * to * once, then sc in last 4 sts; join with sl st to first sc. (80 sts)
- Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 3 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 29 sts, 3 sc in next st*, sc in next 9 sts; rep from * to * once, then sc in last 5 sts; join with sl st to first sc. (88 sts)
- Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and in next 4 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 31 sts, 3 sc in next st*, sc in next 11 sts; rep from * to * once, then sc in last 6 sts; join with sl st to first sc. (96 sts)
- Rnd 8: Ch 1, blsc in same st as join and in each st around; join with sl st to first blsc. (96 sts)
- Rnd 9: With CB, ch 1, flhdc in same st as join, blslst in next st, *flhdc in next st, blslst in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in both lps of first flhdc. (96 sts)
- Rnd 10: With CA, blslst in same st as join, flhdc in next st, *blslst in next st, flhdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in both lps of first blslst.
- Rnds11-42: Rep rnds 9 & 10.
- Rnd 43: Continue with CA, ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc2tog. (80 sts)
- Rnds 44-45: With CA, ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first sc. FO at last rnd.
Handle
- Note: Make the color change at last yarn over in last stitch of row. Fasten Off at end of each row after color change.
- Row 1: (WS) With CA, ch 81 (or any number you like), working into back bumps, sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. (80 sts) Turn.
- Row 2: (RS) With CB, *sc in first st and into each st across.
- Row 3: With CA, rep row 2 from *.
- Row 4: With CB, rep row 2.
- Row 5: With CA, Leave a 6-8" tail for sewing and rep row 2 from *. Leave another 6-8" tail for sewing.
- Use tail ends to sew handle to bag as shown. The edge is tapered in a bit, making it great for a zipper.
And did you know Crochet Pattern Bonanza has lots more FREE Bag Crochet Patterns.
Hello! I really appreciate you sharing at our Yarn Fanatic Party! Since our current party is a long one, I decided to put together a collection to share. This is my first round up, and includes Purses, Bags and Cases shared out our previous Yarn Fanatic Parties. Thank you for your support, and for being a part! You can find it here: http://eyeloveknots.blogspot.com/2015/08/20-yarn-tastic-purses-bags-cases-yarn.html.
Thanks so much Alexandra!