Crocheting A Bag: Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Crocheting is a creative and practical hobby that is increasing in popularity. It can be a great way to be productive while also relaxing. There are many different types of bags that can be crocheted, from simple envelope-style bags to tote bags. The process for making a crochet bag is similar to that of a crocheted purse or wallet. There are many resources available to help beginners get started, including tutorials on YouTube and Pinterest, as well as written instructions and patterns. It is important to choose the right type of yarn and crochet hook for your project, and to be patient while learning the basic stitches. With practice, crocheting can become a fun and rewarding hobby.

How to Crochet a Bag

Choosing the right yarn for your crochet bag

Yarn Weight

The weight of the yarn, or its thickness, is an important consideration. Lighter yarns are generally not robust enough for bags, except for lightweight string market bags. Medium weight yarns, such as DK and worsted weight yarns, are commonly used for crochet bags as they are hard-wearing and less prone to sagging. Heavier yarns can be great for statement purses, but keep in mind that they will make the bag heavier to carry.

Yarn Fibre

The fibre content of the yarn will impact the bag's durability, elasticity, and ease of care. Most wools and acrylic yarns are elastic and prone to sagging out of shape, so they may not be the best choice for bags that need to hold heavier items. Cottons and linens are less stretchy and are therefore more suitable for bags. If you are using pure wool, you can felt it to reduce its elasticity. However, keep in mind that all crochet bags will eventually sag to some degree if used to carry heavy items.

Colourfastness

If your bag will be carried against your body or clothing, it is important to choose a yarn that is colourfast to prevent dye transfer. Commercially produced bulk-dyed yarns tend to be more colourfast than hand-painted or hand-dyed yarns. Test the yarn by tying a small bundle and letting it soak in warm water for at least 20 minutes. If no colour leaches out, then it is good to go.

Pilling

Pilling, or the formation of small balls of fibre on the surface of the fabric, can be an issue with some yarns, especially when the bag rubs against your clothing. To test for pilling, crochet a swatch and rub it together to see if pills form. Smooth fibres and tightly twisted yarns with multiple plies are more resistant to pilling than fuzzy, loosely twisted, single-ply yarns.

Ease of Care

Consider how easy it will be to care for and clean your bag. Can the yarn be spot cleaned or machine washed? If your bag has a lining and handles, it may not be as simple to wash as a blanket or a sweater.

Price

Price may also be a factor, although bags generally don't use up a lot of yarn, so price may not be as much of a concern as it would be for larger projects like sweaters and blankets.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, choosing the right yarn for your crochet bag depends on a variety of factors, including your personal preferences for colour, weight, and fibre type. Experiment with different yarns, fibres, and colours to find what works best for your specific project.

How to create a test swatch

Creating a test swatch is a crucial step in crocheting a bag, as it allows you to test your pattern, yarn, and stitch before starting the actual project. Here is a detailed guide on how to create a test swatch:

Planning Your Swatch:

Before you begin crocheting your swatch, there are a few things to consider:

• Hook Size: Check the pattern you plan to use and ensure you have the correct hook size.
• Yarn: Use the same yarn or a suitable substitute as suggested in the pattern.
• Stitch Pattern: Identify the stitch pattern you will be using for your swatch. Look for any stitch multiple you need to work into your first row. This information should be available in the pattern.
• Blocking: Determine whether the gauge given in the pattern is blocked or unblocked. If it's not specified, consider how you will treat your final piece. If you plan to block your finished bag, you should also block your swatch to match the gauge.

Size of Your Swatch:

The size of your swatch is important to ensure accurate measurements. While many patterns suggest a 4-inch swatch, it is generally recommended to make your swatch at least 5 inches square, or even larger if you're working with chunkier yarn. This is because the edges of a smaller swatch may not accurately reflect the tension you will achieve when crocheting a larger piece.

Crocheting Your Swatch:

Now you're ready to start crocheting your swatch!

• Foundation Row: Create a foundation row using a row of chains or a row of foundation single crochet stitches. Make sure your foundation row has more stitches than the width you want your bag to be. For example, if your bag will be 40 single crochet stitches across, your foundation chain should be 41 stitches.
• Single Crochet Rows: Turn your work and single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Continue making single crochet stitches back along your chain.
• Continue Rows: Chain 1 stitch, then turn your work and continue making rows until you reach the desired height. Remember to turn your work at the end of each row.

Measuring Your Swatch:

Once your swatch is complete, it's time to measure it:

• Stitch Gauge: Lay your swatch on a flat surface and use a ruler or gauge measure to count the number of stitches and rows in a 4-inch section. Place pins at 10 cm intervals to help you count without disturbing the ruler. Move the ruler to different parts of the swatch and recount to ensure consistent tension throughout.
• Row Gauge: Turn your ruler at a right angle and count the number of rows in 4 inches. Repeat this measurement in different areas of the swatch to check for consistency.

Adjusting Your Gauge:

If your swatch doesn't match the gauge in the pattern, you may need to adjust your hook size.

• More Stitches and Rows: If you have more stitches and rows than the pattern, you are crocheting tighter than the designer. Try using a larger hook to increase the size of your stitches.
• Fewer Stitches and Rows: If you have fewer stitches and rows, you are crocheting more loosely. Try using a smaller hook to make smaller stitches.

Creating a test swatch is an important step in ensuring your crochet bag turns out the right size and that your stitches and yarn work well together. It may seem like an extra step, but it can save you time and yarn in the long run!

How to chain the amount of stitches for the width of your bag

To crochet a bag, you'll first need to chain the amount of stitches you want the width of the bag to be. This is a beginner-friendly project, so you'll be creating a rectangle or square shape for your bag. The number of stitches you'll need depends on the type of bag you want to make.

For small to medium-sized bags, between 30 and 60 stitches should work well. If you're planning on carrying a particular item in your bag, be sure to measure it in advance so that you can plan for the correct dimensions. Keep in mind that the type of yarn you use will affect the size of your bag; for example, cotton yarn "stretches" less than acrylic.

Once you've decided on the width of your bag and chosen your yarn, it's a good idea to make a test swatch. This will help you gauge your tension (how loose or tight your stitches are) and figure out how many stitches you will have in one inch.

To begin, make a chain stitch until you reach the desired width of your bag. Be sure to count your stitches carefully and use markers every ten to twenty stitches to help you keep track. Remember to write down the number of stitches in your chain so that you can refer back to it later.

After you've made your initial chain, you'll need to turn your work and then single crochet back along your chain. To turn your work, simply rotate your work halfway, so that your last stitch becomes the first stitch in the new row. Continue making single crochet stitches until you reach the end of the row. Then, chain one stitch, turn your work again, and continue this process until you've reached the desired height for your bag.

How to crochet different styles of bags, such as envelope or tote

There are many ways to crochet a bag, and it is a great project for beginners. You can make a variety of styles, including envelope and tote bags, and you can customise your bag by choosing different colours and lengths of straps.

Crocheting an Envelope Bag

To crochet an envelope bag, you will need a 5mm crochet hook and some yarn. You will also need a snap fastener and some fabric to line the bag. The process involves crocheting two rectangles for the body of the bag and a third for the envelope flap. These are then sewn together, leaving the top open. You can add a snap fastener to the flap and body of the bag to secure it.

Crocheting a Tote Bag

A simple tote bag can be made by crocheting a rectangle in the round, from the bottom up. The strap is made separately and sewn on. The length of the strap can be adjusted to make a shoulder bag or a cross-body bag. You can also add colour blocking to your tote bag by switching colours.

How to sew the bag together

Sewing your crochet bag together is a simple process. Once you have crocheted your bag, you will need to fold it to create the bag shape. Fold up the bottom half of your bag until it is as deep as you want your bag to be. Check to see if there is a "wrong" side to your piece of crochet fabric; if you prefer the look of one side, make sure that side is facing out as you fold.

Using a matching colour yarn, sew the side seams together. You can start at the fold and use a "whip-stitch" to make the seam. This is a simple sewing stitch that will neatly join the sides of your bag. Sew until you reach the point where you want the flap to fold over.

If you are making a tote bag, you will need to sew the bottom and side pieces together. Again, use matching yarn and a whip-stitch to neatly join the pieces. Sew the sides and bottom together, leaving the top open for the bag's opening.

For both bag styles, you will then need to make a strap. This is a similar process to the crochet you have already done for the bag. Make a chain as long as you want the 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. Finish off the strap, and then sew the ends into the corners of your bag. Ensure you use plenty of stitches when attaching the straps for durability.

Another option for the strap is to attach your yarn to the opening of the bag using 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 on the other side of the seam. Continue in rows until the strap is the desired length. Attach the other end to the bag in the same way, using slip-stitches or sewing.

Frequently asked questions