Crochet a carefree belt bag—or crossbody—from colorful flower squares
This crocheted crossbody bag or traditional belt bag comes together quickly—you only need to make four squares. You’ll also need a ready-made strap and some lining fabric.
Measurements: One finished square measures about 12 cm (4.7″) on each side, and the finished bag measures 40 cm (15.7″) in length.
Crocheted belt bag or crossbody bag—materials:
- Novita Nalle yarn (or equivalent) in three colors: 100 Sola, 183 Pisara, and 160 Farkku
- a 40 cm × 25 cm (15.7″ × 9.8″) piece of lining fabric
- a zipper, 35–40 cm (13.8″–15.7″) in length
- 2 D-rings, 30 mm wide
- a ready-made bag strap
- a sharp sewing needle
- a blunt tapestry needle
- scissors
Abbreviations:
- st = stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- ch = chain
- yo = yarn over
- sp = space between double crochets
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- tr = treble crochet
Crocheted belt bag or crossbody bag—pattern:
Round 1: (color 160) Ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring. In the ring, ch 3 first and then work 15 dc = 16 dc. End each round by joining the last st to the first st with a sl st.
Round 2: Work a bobble in each sp: first ch 2, yo, insert the hook into the same sp, yo and pull up a long loop (3 loops on the hook), yo, insert the hook into the same sp again and pull up a long loop (5 loops on the hook), yo, insert the hook into the same sp again and pull up a long loop (7 loops on the hook), yo and pull through all 7 loops at once, then close with ch 1. Work *yo, insert the hook into the same sp and pull up a long loop (3 loops), yo, insert the hook into the same sp again and pull up a long loop (5 loops), yo, insert the hook into the same sp again and pull up a long loop (7 loops), yo and pull through all 7 loops at once, then ch 1*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the round. Close the round with a sl st and fasten off.
Round 3: (color 183) Work a large bobble in each sp. Ch 3, then work 5 dc in the same stitch without completing the final pull-through for each dc until you have 7 loops on the hook. Yo and pull through all 7 loops (in other words, crochet 6 dc together into one dc), then ch 1. *Work 6 dc in the same stitch without completing the final pull-through for each dc until you have 7 loops on the hook. Yo and pull through all 7 loops (in other words, crochet 6 dc together into one dc), ch 1.* Repeat from * to * to the end of the round, sl st to close, and fasten off.
Round 4: (color 100): Continue with bobbles: ch 3, 5 dc in the same stitch, ch 2. *6 dc in the same stitch, ch 2.* Repeat from * to * until the end of the round, sl st to close, and fasten off.
Round 5: (color 160): Begin in any ch space of the previous round. Ch 3 and then work 4 dc in the same space (= 5 dc). Work a cluster of 5 dc in each of the next two ch spaces (= 3 clusters of 5 dc in total). In the next ch space, work 3 dc, then 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, 3 dc (this forms the first corner of the square). *3 × 5 dc clusters, then a corner: 3 dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * until the end of the round, sl st to close, and fasten off.
Round 6: (color 183): Ch 3, *work 1 dc in each stitch of the previous round until you reach the corner, ch 2.* Repeat from * to * until the end of the round, sl st to close, and fasten off.
Crochet four identical squares.
Assembling the crocheted bag
Crochet two squares together along one edge. Then, on either long side of this rectangle, crochet one of the other two squares along two of its edges.
Make the loops for the D-rings: ch 6. Turn and work 1 sc in each ch. *Turn, work 1 sc in each stitch of the previous row.* Repeat from * to * until your piece is about 4 cm (1.6″) long. Make 2 pieces. Slide each D-ring onto one of your crocheted loops. Then, sc around the bag’s opening, simultaneously attaching the loops. Next, with a second color yarn, sc 2 rounds around the bag opening, sl st to close, and fasten off. With the third color yarn, sc 2 rounds around the opening, sl st to close, and fasten off.
Cut and sew a lining to match the bag’s dimensions. Place the zipper with its wrong side against the right side of the lining, and sew by hand. Slide the lining inside the bag and sew it to the opening, using the zipper stitching as a guide. Attach the ready-made strap to the D-rings, or crochet your own strap in any length and width you like.
