Chic Crochet Bag: Chain-Link Style

Crochet bags are a fun and easy craft project that can be made in a variety of ways. They can be as big or small as you like and can be made for any occasion, from a simple gift bag to an elegant evening bag. There are many different types of crochet bags, including purses/handbags, market bags/shopping totes, crossbody bags, and zipper pouches/coin purses. To make a crochet bag, you will need a sturdy yarn such as cotton, a crochet hook, scissors, and other supplies depending on the pattern. You can find many free crochet bag patterns online or create your own design.

Choosing the right yarn for your crochet bag

Yarn Weight

The weight of the yarn refers to the thickness of the strand and is categorised numerically, with '0' being the smallest and '7' being the bulkiest. For crochet bags, the ideal weight range is between DK weight (#3) and worsted weight (#4) yarns. These weights offer a good balance between sturdiness and ease of handling. Lighter yarns may not be robust enough, while heavier yarns can be cumbersome to carry.

Yarn Fibre

The fibre content of the yarn significantly impacts the drape, stitch definition, structure, and heaviness of your crochet bag. Natural fibres, such as cotton and linen, are popular choices for crochet bags due to their durability and low stretch properties. Cotton, in particular, is a favourite among crocheters for its strength and breathability. Wool is another option, but it requires special care during washing to avoid felting. Synthetic fibres, such as acrylic, nylon, and rayon, offer advantages such as affordability, ease of care, and hypoallergenic properties. However, they may not be as durable or breathable as natural fibres.

Colourfastness and Pilling

When choosing a yarn for your crochet bag, it is crucial to consider colourfastness, especially if your bag will be in frequent contact with your clothes. Test the yarn by tying a small bundle and soaking it in warm water for 20 minutes. If no colour leaches out, it is colourfast. Additionally, test for pilling by crocheting a swatch and rubbing it together to see if pills form, as this will indicate how the yarn will withstand friction.

Yarn Care

Crochet bags endure wear and tear, so selecting a yarn that is easy to care for is essential. Look for yarns that are machine washable and dryable, as it may not be practical to handwash a bag regularly. If your bag has a lining and handles, spot cleaning may be necessary, so choose a yarn that is easy to spot clean.

Price and Availability

While price may not be as much of a concern for smaller projects like crochet bags, it is still worth considering. Local craft stores often provide the opportunity to feel the yarn and assess its durability before purchasing. Online shopping, on the other hand, offers a broader selection, including specialty yarns that may not be available locally.

In summary, choosing the right yarn for your crochet bag involves considering factors such as weight, fibre content, colourfastness, pilling resistance, care instructions, and price. By selecting the appropriate yarn, you can create a functional, durable, and stylish crochet bag that suits your specific needs and preferences.

How to crochet a tote bag

Crocheting a tote bag is a fun and easy project, and a great way to be productive. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to crochet a tote bag:

Materials and Preparation:

Before starting, you will need to gather the following materials:

• Yarn: Choose a sturdy yarn, preferably cotton, without a lot of stretch. The amount of yarn you need will depend on the size of your bag.
• Crochet hook: Most yarn labels indicate the recommended hook size. As a general rule, thicker yarn requires a thicker hook.
• Scissors: For cutting the yarn.
• Yarn needle: For weaving in ends and sewing pieces together.

Step 1: Create a Test Swatch:

It is a good idea to make a test swatch before starting your bag. Create a small square (approximately 4"x4") to help you gauge your tension (how loose or tight your stitches are) and determine how many stitches you will have in one inch.

Step 2: Chain Stitch for the Width:

Chain the amount of stitches you want the width of the bag to be. This will form the foundation for your bag. Remember to count your stitches carefully. If your chain is long, use markers every ten to twenty stitches to keep track.

Step 3: Single Crochet Stitch:

Turn your work and then single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Continue making single crochet stitches back along your chain until you reach the end. You should now have one less single crochet stitch than your initial chain stitches.

Step 4: Repeat Rows:

Continue to single crochet, turning, and creating new rows until you reach the desired height for your bag. Remember to turn your work by rotating it clockwise after each row.

Step 5: Fasten Off Yarn:

Once your piece is tall enough, fasten off the yarn. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of at least 6 inches, and pull the tail through the last loop of the last stitch to secure it. Weave the tail through the stitches in your top row to finish.

Step 6: Fold and Sew the Bag:

Fold up the bottom half of your bag to the desired depth. Check if there is a "wrong" side to your crochet fabric, and ensure that the side you prefer is facing out. Using matching yarn, sew the side seams together with a whip stitch, leaving the top flap unsewn.

Step 7: Create a Strap:

You can make a strap for your bag by crocheting a chain as long as you want the strap to be and then single crocheting back along it until the strap reaches your desired width. Alternatively, you can attach the yarn to the opening of the bag and single crochet across to create a strap. Sew or crochet the ends of the strap securely into the corners of your bag.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful and unique crochet tote bag to use or gift to a friend.

Crocheting a simple envelope-style bag

This bag is worked in flat rows, and it is an excellent project for a beginner. The pattern can be adapted to bags of almost any size and style.

Materials

• Yarn
• Crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Steps

Review the basics

Before starting, review the basic crochet techniques. For this project, you only need to know how to do the chain stitch and a single crochet.

Plan your bag

Decide what kind of bag you want and measure the item you plan to carry in your bag. This will help you determine the dimensions and shape of your bag. Keep in mind that yarn "stretches".

Choose your yarn and hook

If this is one of your first crocheting projects, it is best to stick with a simple, plain yarn of cotton or soft acrylic. Cotton yarn "stretches" less than acrylic. Choose a solid colour yarn so that you can see how the stitches are made and count them more easily.

Most yarn labels indicate what size hook to use; it is best to stick with the recommended hook size. As a general rule, the thicker the hook, the thicker the yarn will need to be.

Make a test swatch

Creating a test swatch is a good idea to gauge your tension and figure out how many stitches you will have in one inch.

Chain the amount of stitches you want for the bottom and top width of your bag

Create a chain until you reach the length you'd like the bottom and top width of your bag to be. You will be crocheting either a square or a rectangle, depending on the shape you want. Use markers every ten to twenty stitches to help you keep count.

Single crochet back along your chain

Turn your work, then single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook. Continue making single crochet stitches back along your chain. Now count your stitches! You will find that you have one less single crochet stitch than you had of chain stitches.

Continue to single crochet to the desired height

Continue to single crochet, turning, and creating new rows until you reach the height you want your bag to be. Keep in mind that you will be folding up the bottom part of the bag (the top will fold down as a flap).

Fasten off your yarn

Once your piece is as tall as you want it to be, fasten off the yarn. Cut off your yarn from the skein of yarn, leaving a tail of at least 6 inches (15.2 cm). Pull the tail of yarn on your hook all the way through the last loop of the last stitch. Then, using a "yarn needle", weave the tail through the stitches in your top row.

Fold and sew to make your bag

Fold up the bottom half of your bag until it is as deep as you want your bag to be. Using a matching colour yarn, sew the side seams together with a whip stitch. Stop at the point where you want the flap to fold over.

Sewing the bag together

Sewing the Envelope-Style Bag

After crocheting the bag, fold up the bottom half of your bag until it is as deep as you want it to be. Check if there is a "wrong" side to your piece of crochet fabric and, if so, ensure that side is facing inwards. Using a matching colour of yarn, sew the side seams together using a whip stitch. Stop sewing at the point where you want the flap to fold over.

Sewing the Tote-Style Bag

To sew a tote-style bag, you will need to crochet two pieces and sew them together. First, decide if you want your bag to have a flap. If you do, the back piece should be taller than the front piece. For example, if you want a 12" bag with a 6" flap, the back piece should be 18" long.

Once you have crocheted your two pieces, sew them together with the wrong sides facing each other. You can use a matching or contrasting colour of yarn for this step. Finally, add a strap to your bag by crocheting a long chain and sewing the ends into the corners of the bag. Ensure that the strap is securely attached so that it can withstand the weight of the bag's contents.

Sewing the Bottom of the Bag

To sew the bottom of the bag, fold the bag in half and then put the crochet needle through the middle from the outside, taking the yarn with it. Put the needle through the bag again from the inside, this time letting the tail go back inside. Finish the bag by weaving the yarn through as shown and then make a knot and pull it tight. Hide the ends of the yarn inside the bag.

Adding a strap to your bag

Adding a strap to your crochet bag is a simple process with a few different options. The first option is to crochet a strap by making a chain as long as you want your strap to be. Then, turn the chain and single crochet back along to the end of the chain. Repeat the single crochet until the strap is as wide as you want it to be. Finish off the strap and then sew the ends of the strap into the corners of your bag. Be sure to use plenty of stitches when attaching the straps to your bag to ensure durability.

The second option is to attach your yarn to the opening of the bag using your crochet hook and a slip stitch. Chain one, then single crochet across the edge of the bag, making four single crochet stitches on one side of the seam and continuing until you have four single crochet stitches on the other side of the seam. Continue in rows until the strap is the desired length. Attach the other end to the bag using either slip stitches or sewing in the same way as the seams.

The third option is to use a store-bought handle or chain. You can find these at most craft stores or online. Simply attach the ends of the chain to the corners of your bag, and you're done!

When deciding on the length of your strap, keep in mind that longer straps can be worn across the body, while shorter straps are typically held over the shoulder or in the hand. Also, consider the stretch of your yarn when determining the length. For example, t-shirt yarn is a bit elastic, so the bag will hang a bit lower, especially when there is stuff in it. Therefore, it's better to make the strap a bit shorter.

Frequently asked questions