Crocheting a bag from scratch is a creative project that’s both practical and satisfying. I remember how proud I felt the first time I carried a crochet bag that I had made myself. If this is your first time making a bag—or you simply want a clear, easy-to-follow guide—this tutorial is exactly what you need. I’ll break down every step, so you can confidently make a sturdy, eye-catching crochet bag, even if you’ve never worked on a crochet project like this before.
What You Need: Essential Tools and Materials
Before getting started, having all your tools and supplies ready will make the process smooth and enjoyable. Here’s your checklist:
- Yarn: Medium weight cotton yarn works best for bags. It’s sturdy, washable, and keeps its shape well.
- Crochet Hook: I usually choose a size H/8 (5mm) hook for most medium weight yarn, though you should check your yarn’s label for guidance.
- Scissors: Any sharp scissors will do for snipping yarn.
- Tapestry Needle: Blunt and perfect for weaving in ends, or for seaming if you’re adding a lining.
- Stitch Markers: These are useful for keeping track of where your rounds start and finish. A paperclip works just as well if you don’t have the official markers handy.
- Optional: You can add a lining with fabric and finish your bag with a zipper or magnetic snap for extra durability and function.
Having everything within arm’s reach helps you focus on crocheting, and manufacturers like Lion Brand Yarn and Clover offer guides for picking the best materials if you need more info.
Understanding Basic Crochet Stitches
If you’re new to crochet, there are a few core stitches to get under your belt. Here’s how I tackled them, and you can, too:
- Chain Stitch (ch): This is usually how any crochet piece begins. Yarn over and pull through your hook’s loop to create a chain.
- Single Crochet (sc): Insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (so you have two on the hook), yarn over again, and pull through both.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Great for joining rounds or moving your yarn. Insert the hook, yarn over, and pull through your stitch and the loop on the hook all in one go.
- Increasing (inc): Make two single crochet in the same stitch to widen circles or make your bag grow.
- Decreasing (dec): Crochet two stitches together to make your work narrower or to shape corners.
Mastering these basics is key to a smooth bag-making adventure. You can find free video walkthroughs on platforms like The Spruce Crafts or YouTube to see the stitches in action. Take your time and practice each stitch on a scrap piece before starting your actual bag for the best results.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crocheting Your Bag
Each bag project begins with a base, then builds up the sides, and finishes with handles. Here’s a straightforward, stepwise approach to make it easy to follow.
1. Starting the Bottom Base
For a simple tote bag, I prefer a round base. Here’s my method:
- Make a slip knot, then chain 4, joining with a slip stitch to make a little ring.
- Chain 1 (it won’t count as a stitch), and crochet 8 single crochet into your ring. Pull the yarn tail tight.
- Join the round with a slip stitch into your first single crochet.
If you want a bigger bottom, increase in the following rounds by:
- Round 2: Chain 1, work two single crochet in each stitch (16 sc). Slip stitch to join.
- Round 3: Chain 1, *(1 sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next)*. Repeat around (24 sc total). Join with a slip stitch.
- Keep increasing by adding one extra single crochet between each increase every round. When the base is as wide as you want, you’re ready for the next stage.
Prefer a rectangular shape? Just chain as long as you want your base, single crochet along the chain, then work around both sides, increasing in the corners to make the rectangle grow each round.
2. Building Up the Sides
This is where your bag starts to become recognizable. To jump into this step, do the following:
- After your base is big enough, stop making increases. Single crochet in every stitch around, joining with a slip stitch at the end of each round.
- Repeat this process, going round and round, until your bag reaches the height you like. For a sturdy tote, I find about 12-15 rows is perfect.
If you want to add texture or personality, experiment with different stitches—half double crochet gives a slightly taller, squishier effect, while rows of granny stripes look really cool. Just keep the stitch count consistent so the sides don’t wobble. Solid colors, stripes, or color changes for fun effects also add visual appeal. If changing colors, join the new yarn at the end of the round and crochet over the tail for a tidy finish.
3. Adding Handles
Handles turn your crochet from a pouch into a functional bag and are easier than they look:
- With the main body done, lay your bag flat and mark the handle spots on opposite sides—stitch markers work wonders here. This helps keep handles even.
- Crochet across from one marker, then chain out (try 30 for a nice shoulder length—but adjust to your preference). Skip to the second marker and rejoin to form a loop that’ll become your handle.
- Single crochet back into each chain stitch, and continue single crocheting around to make the handle thicker if you wish. Repeat the same process for the other handle.
If your bag will be heavy, double the handle area with additional single crochet rounds, or use a ribbon on the inside to prevent stretching.
4. Finishing Touches
When both handles are complete, cut your yarn and secure the end tightly. Weave in all your yarn tails using the tapestry needle so nothing unravels. For extra polish and strength, sew a fabric lining inside the bag: lay the finished bag on your fabric, trace the shape, cut it out, and stitch it in place with a simple whip stitch. If you want a zipper or magnetic snap closure, now’s the time to attach it by following the product’s instructions.
Give yourself a high-five—your crochet bag is finished and ready to show off! I always love seeing the reactions when I say, “Thanks, I made it myself.”
What to Watch Out For
When I first started, these little bumps often appeared. Here’s how to sidestep the most common problems:
- Bag Flopping or Losing Shape: Try working a tighter stitch, like single crochet, or choose a slightly thicker yarn to make the bag sturdier.
- Incorrect Sizing: If you need a bag to fit certain dimensions, crochet a gauge swatch before starting. Adjust your hook or yarn size if needed.
- Handles Stretching Out: Make the handle wide or fold it over and double-crochet for strength. Add a hidden ribbon or fabric lining for reinforcement.
- Messy Joins Between Colors: Always start and end your color changes at the sides or back and weave in the ends neatly before moving on.
Taking these small steps will pay off—your bag will be neater and wear better. I recommend joining crochet communities like Ravelry to look up more troubleshooting advice. There are loads of tips and pictures to check out if you get stuck.
Personal Tips and Ways to Make It Your Own
Once you’ve got the basics down, the real fun is in making your bag one of a kind. Here are some customizations I love using:
- Choose bold stripes, a gradient yarn, or make colorblocks for extra flair.
- Crochet a pocket for your phone, wallet, or keys and sew it to the inside or outside.
- Add decorative buttons, wooden beads, or a unique patch as a finishing touch.
- Make an adjustable or crossbody-length strap for versatility.
- Switch up the overall shape by joining together granny squares, hexagons, or even heart motifs.
No two bags will ever look the same, and that’s what makes homemade crochet bags so special. The little twists and choices make every project uniquely yours—friends sometimes ask if I can repeat a bag, but each time a new one turns out just a bit different in a good way.
Common Questions About Crochet Bags
After teaching several friends (and learning from my own early mistakes), these are the questions I hear most often:
How long does it take to make a crochet bag?
f you’re working with a simple shape, figure on about five to ten hours, depending on how fast you crochet and how large your bag is. Adding lining, fancy details, or handles can increase the time slightly.
Is it safe to wash a crochet bag?
Most cotton crochet bags hold up well in a gentle cold-water wash. Always lay them flat to dry to preserve the shape, especially if you’ve added a lining—check that fabric’s instructions for care as well. I have also put together a short guide to caring for crochet bags.
Best yarn for making bags?
Medium weight cotton is my usual pick, since it’s tough, looks great, and is easy to wash. Polyester yarns can work well for water resistance, but avoid soft or stretchy yarns since they sag out of shape easily.
Can beginners make a crochet bag?
Definitely! As long as you’ve practiced single crochet and working in the round, you have the skills. Watching a few online tutorials in advance can help you get comfortable before tackling a bag project.
Bottom Line: Show Off Your Handmade Crochet Bag
Making your own crochet bag from scratch feels amazing. Whether you’re keeping it for yourself or gifting it to a friend, you’re adding a useful, creative item to your collection. With every project, you’ll notice your skills getting stronger and your creativity growing. If you ever want new ideas or more patterns, books by authors like Tamara Kelly or some websites will give you a boost. Enjoy the process, and don’t be surprised when people stop to ask, “Where did you get that awesome bag?”—and you get to say, “I made it myself!”