Crocheting a Bag - Do you have a thing for bags, or are you still looking for a cute tote? This classic retro-style bag is totally hip and trendy. Use it for grocery shopping, to carry your knitting, or to hold other fun little things. Either way, get started right away—because you can never have too many bags, right?!
Isn’t this cool shopping bag just fanTASTIC? Crocheted from the fine Rico Creative Cotton Aran yarn, it’s perfect for everyday use. When it’s empty, you can easily roll it up into a small bundle, and when you need it, you can fill it with books, magazines, oranges, or other groceries. We went with classic orange, but Rico Creative Cotton Aran comes in no fewer than 44 different colors. The pattern lends itself well to the cutest color combinations, so pick your favorite shades and get started!
Tools & Supplies for the crocheted bag:
- 3 balls of Rico Creative Cotton Aran, color 74
- 4 balls of Rico Creative Cotton Aran, color 61
- Crochet Hooks: 4, 5, and 6 mm
Stitches used:
l. = chain stitch
hv. = slip stitch
v. = single crochet
pc. = double crochet
Lobster Sting
Dimensions:
The bag measures 39 x 35 cm. To make the bag larger or smaller, make sure your chain is a length that is divisible by 3 + 1.
Crochet Pattern for bag:
Using a size 6 Crochet Hook, chain 52 sts. and close to form a loop.
Round 1: Start in the 2nd ch. from the Crochet Hook and crochet 51 sc., then crochet another 51 sc. back along the other side of the chain. (102 sc.)
Rows 2 through 6: 102 sc.
Round 7: Starting here, use a size 5 Crochet Hook. Sl st. In the first st., chain 3, 1 ch., and 1 dc. In the same st., skip 2 sts., *1 dc, 1 ch., 1 dc in the next st., skip 2 sts.* Repeat from * to *. Fasten off with a slip stitch. In the top of the 3 ch, pull the loop slightly longer and attach a Stitch Marker. Do not cut the yarn.
Row 8: Attach a new strand of yarn with st. 74 in the first space of 1 ch., crochet 3 ch, 1 ch, 1 dc. *In the next 1-ch space, 1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc. *-* Repeat *-* When you close this round with a sl st in the top ch, make sure your loop and the yarn from the previous round are in front of your work. Now pull a large loop again and move the Stitch Marker from the loop of Round 7 to the loop of Round 8.
Row 9: Insert your Crochet Hook into the loop from Row 7, pull it tight, and chain 3, chain 1, then work 1 single crochet into the opening below your 3 starting chains (so you’re working the single crochet around Rows 7 and 8). This creates a V-stitch (1 single crochet, 1 chain, 1 single crochet) Work a V-stitch in this way between each V-stitch from Row 8. Fasten off with a slip stitch. The yarn and loop from Row 8 may remain on the back. Pull a loop through and switch the Stitch Markers back.
Row 10: Pull your loop from st. 74 forward through the V-stitch of st. 61 (which is directly in front of your loop); chain 3, chain 1, 1 single crochet; insert the hook into the same opening as the stitch from row 9 to make the single crochet.
Rows 11 through 43: Repeat rows 9 and 10 alternately. On row 42, fasten off the yarn from color 74.
Round 44: Continue crocheting with color 61 and a size 6 Crochet Hook. Crochet a single crochet in each stitch and around each chain (102 single crochets)
Rows 45 through 46: 102 sts.
47th row: 96 sts. The number of sts in this row decreases by 6 compared to the other rows.
Row 48: 21 ch., slip 21 sts., 30 dc., 21 ch., slip 21 sts., 30 dc.
Rows 49 through 52: 102 sc. Fasten off.
Finally, crochet a lobster stitch along the top and in the openings of the handles using yarn no. 74 and a size 4 Crochet Hook.
Want to crochet another bag?
Are you looking for a different kind of bag? We’ve already put together a lovely collection of bags, and there’s plenty to choose from among the other styles. For example, check out the free pattern for the crocheted beach bag, the crocheted tote, the crocheted checkered bag, or the Knitting Pattern for the stylish tote.
