Easy Crochet Bag Pattern – HDC and V-Stitch
This easy crochet bag pattern is perfect for the market, the beach, or for your everyday errand runs. It is nice and roomy, making it great for the bigger things, while smaller items can be contained in a smaller pouch inside this larger bag.
It is perfect as is at the market for getting groceries home, or the beach. It’s not overly big, but it’ll hold your beach towel and a change of summer clothes quite nicely.
If you want to use it for errands or books then you may wish to add a simple lining to this lace crochet bag. This tutorial shows how to add a simple liner to any sized bag. It also shows how to add some basic pockets, which you can easily customize to your needs.
Lining your bag not only makes it nicer for keeping things organized, but it will also give you an extra layer of fabric to increase the durability of the bag.
The Size
The finished size of this easy crochet tote bag pattern is approximately 34″ in circumference by 12″ in height, not including the handles. You can easily adjust the size of the bag by adjusting the base, which measures approximately 13″ by 5″.
For a smaller bag, do fewer repeats of the increase rows for the base. For a bigger bag, do more rows following the increase pattern as established.
The Yarn
I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn. It is a medium worsted weight yarn, perfect for making strong bags.
The variegated yarn is nice because you get a unique color design each time. A plain color would be nice too for this bag.
However, if you plan on lining your bag with a strong liner, then you can easily substitute any acrylic yarn with a similar gauge.
How It’s Made
This crochet bag pattern is worked from the bottom up in one piece, including the handles. It makes it easier because, unless you decide to add pretty stripes, you won’t have to worry about any extra ends to weave in.
Both technique and stitch pattern is suitable for a beginner, provided they are comfortable working into chains and skipping stitches.
Bottom. The bottom is started with a series of chains to begin the rectangle for the base. You will single crochet on both sides of the chains for the first round and join each round with a slip stitch.
Stitch markers can help to keep track of the first and last stitches in each round, especially the first round.
I’ve found this to be a great way to start crocheted bags and looks great with just about any stitch pattern.
Body. The body is worked in simple half double crochets, the half double v-stitch and chain spaces. It’s a pretty, yet very simple lace that you will enjoy working with.
Just remember to keep your chains loose, which makes it easier to throw the hook into them.
Another thing to note about the body is that you turn your work after each round. I found this to be the best solution to keeping a straight seam.
Handles. As already mentioned, the straps are worked in one piece with the bag. They are worked in simple single crochet stitches to make them stronger, and can easily be adjusted to any length that you need them to be.
If you make adjustments to the size of your bag, Here’s how to make adjustments to the handles for any sized bag.
Half Double and V-Stitch Crochet Bag Pattern
Skill Level
Materials
- Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton (Worsted Weight, #4; 100% Cotton; 340g/12oz; 524 m/573yds) Color: Faded Denim, 1 ball
- Crochet Hook: H 5.00mm
- Tools: Measuring Tape, Scissors, Yarn Needle.
Measurements
- Gauge: 13 sc sts = 4"
- Body of Bag (Laid Flat): 34" circumference by 12" high, not including the handles.
- Base: Approximately 13" by 5"
Abbreviations
- Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains
- Hdc = Half Double Crochet
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd/Rnds = Round/Rounds
- RS = Right Side
- Sc = Single Crochet
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- Sk = Skip
- St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches
- V-St = V Stitch
- WS = Wrong Side
- See the Crochet Abbreviations chart for more details.
Special Stitch Instructions
- V-St: (hdc, ch 1, hdc) into designated st.
Notes
- The body of the bag is worked in a simple lace. To keep the seam even, I turned after each Rnd beginning at Rnd 9 and each Rnd through 30. After that you can work it from the right side again.
- This pattern is written in American Crochet Terms
Instructions
The Bottom
- Rnd 1: Loosely ch 28, sc in 2nd ch from hook and into next 25 chs, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting chs, sc in free loops of next 25 chs, 2 sc in last ch; join with sl st in first sc. [56 sts]
- Rnd 2: Ch 1, 3 sc in same st as join, *sc in next 25 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next st*, 3 sc in next st; rep from * to * once; join with sl st in first sc. [64 sts]
- Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 27 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 in first sc. [72 sts]
- Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into next st, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 29 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 in first sc. [80 sts]
- Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into next 2 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 31 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 in first sc. [88 sts]
- Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into next 3 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 33 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 in first sc. [96 sts]
- Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into next 4 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 35 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 in first sc. [104 sts]
- Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into next 5 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in next 37 sts, 3 sc in next st*, sc in next 13 sts; rep from * to * once, then sc in last 7 sts; join with sl st in first sc. [112 sts]
The Body of the Bag
- Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first sc. Turn. [112 sts]
- Rnd 10 (WS): Sl st into first 2 sts, ch 1, (v-st, ch 1) in same st as last sl st, *sk next 3 sts, (v-st, ch 1) in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first hdc. Turn. [28 v-sts]
- Rnd 11 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in first ch and into each st and ch around; join with sl st in first hdc. Turn. [112 hdc]
- Rnds 12-31: Rep Rnds 10 and 11. Do not turn after Rnd 31 or hereafter.
- Rnd 32: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first sc. [112 sts]
Handles
- Lay the bag flat to place your markers for the handles. Count over 18 sts on the sides of the bag and place stitch marker in 19th stitch. Counting the stitch markers, you should have 20 sts marked off in the middle. Do the same on the other side. Stitch markers should align on each side of the bag. Do not crochet into the 20 stitches in the middle.
- Rnd 33: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st up to marked st, *loosely ch 60 (or any number depending on how long or short you want the handles), sk the 20 sts marked off in the middle*, sc in next 36 sts; rep from * to * once; then sc in remaining sts; join with sl st in first sc. [72 sts and 120 chs]
- Note: To keep it the same on both sides, I like to crochet into the back bumps of the chains made for the handles.
- Rnd 34: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st and ch around; join with sl st in first sc. [192 sts]
- Rnds 35-39: Ch 1, sc in same st as join and into each st around; join with sl st in first sc. [192 sts] Fasten Off.
Video
crochetpatternbonanza.com