Easy crocheted bag—the loveliest summer tote made from one simple piece
An easy crocheted bag is made from a single rectangular piece—just fold it, sew a couple of seams, and finish with a strap. This laid-back summer tote is simple enough for beginners and a quick project for experienced crocheters.
Size: 36 × 33 cm (height × width) with a center section about 21 cm tall. The strap is about 2 cm wide and around 55 cm long.
Easy crocheted bag—supplies:
- Scheepjes Catona yarn (100% mercerized cotton, 50 g = 125 m), 300 g in shade 396 Rose Wine
- Crochet hook (2.5–3 mm)
- Tapestry needle and stitch markers or small safety pins
Gauge: 19 stitches and 10 rows = 10 cm.
Abbreviations:
ch: chain stitch
dc: double crochet
st: stitch
Easy crocheted bag—instructions:
Except for the foundation chain, the entire bag is crocheted using double crochet stitches. The rectangle should be around three times as long as it is wide. In this example, the width is about 26 cm and the length is 78 cm (78/3 = 26). With this gauge, that’s 78 rows of double crochet. The foundation chain won’t match the width initially because it stretches when you work the first row of double crochet. It’s easy to adjust the size as long as the width is about one-third of the length, which makes folding and sewing simple.
Work the bag with the yarn held double and a small hook for a sturdy finish. If you plan to carry heavier items, consider sewing a fabric lining inside for extra support.
1. Chain 45 for the foundation chain, then chain 2 extra stitches for turning. Turn the work.
2. Crochet the first row of double crochet into the foundation chain, starting in the third chain from the hook. Make one dc in each chain, so a total of 45 dc. By the end of the row, the piece should measure about 26 cm in width. Then chain 2 for turning and turn the work.
3. Work the subsequent rows into the stitches of the previous row, making 45 dc and then 2 turning chains on each row. Continue until you have 78 rows. Fasten off.
Need help with double crochet? Check out the step-by-step guide to crocheting a double crochet stitch!
Folding the bag
4. Place the piece on a table. Fold the lower-left corner up and the upper-right corner down to create a square in the middle with triangles on both sides.
5. Lift the lower-right corner so the square folds diagonally in half.
Sewing the bag
6. Align the rows of double crochet so they line up neatly. Use stitch markers, small safety pins, or regular pins to secure them.
7. Sew the edges together up to the corner so there’s no gap at the bottom. A good guideline for yarn length is twice the seam length plus 15–20 cm. Then sew the other side of the bag the same way.
8. If you want, neaten the upper-right edge of the bag (see the line in the image) with a row of single crochet to make it as clean as the left side. Work single crochet until you reach the V-fold. Then do the same on the other side.
Strap
9. Holding two strands of yarn together, chain 90. Then chain 2 more for turning, and turn the work.
Note!
At this point, the strap measures around 47 cm, but it will stretch with use. In the photo, it’s about 55 cm on the model’s shoulder. If you’re not sure, fasten it to the bag with a safety pin and try it on.
10. Work double crochet starting in the third chain from the hook. Make one dc in each chain for a total of 90 dc. Then chain 2 to turn and rotate the work.
11. Crochet a second row of dc and fasten off. If you want a thicker strap, add extra rows, especially if you’ll be carrying heavier items. If you plan to sew the strap on with the yarn tails, end on an even-numbered row.
12. Sew the ends of the strap to the inside of the bag and weave in the loose ends.
