Crocheting A Ring Bag: A Step-By-Step Guide

Crocheting a ring bag is a fun project that can be completed by beginners and experts alike. The bag can be made using a magic ring, also known as a magic circle or loop, which is a clever technique that creates an adjustable ring that can be pulled tight, eliminating the central hole in your work. The magic ring is perfect for projects like amigurumi, granny squares, and top-down beanies. To crochet a ring bag, you will need materials such as yarn, a crochet hook, a zipper, fabric, and a cord. The process involves creating a magic ring, crocheting the bag base in a spiral pattern, and then assembling the bag. You can also add straps or handles to your bag for functionality.

Choosing the right yarn and hook

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn strand and is usually listed on yarn labels to help you match it to your pattern. The Craft Yarn Council has created a standard system of yarn weights, ranging from 0 (lace weight) to 7 (jumbo), with higher numbers indicating thicker yarn. When crocheting a ring bag, it's important to follow the suggested yarn weight in your pattern to ensure your bag is the desired size.

In addition to weight, the fibre content of the yarn is another crucial consideration. Natural yarns, such as those made from animal fur, silk, or plant-based fibres like cotton and linen, offer durability and breathability but may be more expensive. Synthetic yarns, on the other hand, are often more affordable and hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for beginners. Blended yarns combine the best qualities of different fibres, enhancing the characteristics of your yarn.

When selecting a crochet hook, it's important to match the size of the hook to the thickness of your yarn. Hooks come in various sizes and can be made of plastic, metal, resin, or wood. In the US, hooks are organised by letters, with larger letters indicating thicker hooks. For example, a size H-8 (5.0mm) hook is typically used for worsted-weight yarn. Checking the yarn label or pattern instructions can also guide you in choosing the appropriate hook size.

Finally, consider the comfort and ease of use when selecting your yarn and hook. Smooth, light-coloured, medium-weight yarn, for instance, can make it easier to see your stitches, while certain hook materials may be more comfortable to work with than others. Experimenting with different combinations of yarn and hooks will help you determine what works best for your ring bag project.

Creating the magic ring

Step 1: Create the Loop

Place the yarn tail in your open left hand. Wrap the working yarn around your index and middle finger twice. Cross the yarn in front to form an "X", with the working yarn hanging behind your fingers. Pinch the yarn with your thumb to hold it in place, and rotate your hand toward you until your palm faces down toward the table. Looking at the back of your hand, you should see two parallel strands of yarn. The left strand is the working yarn, and the right strand is the yarn tail.

Step 2: Insert Hook and Yarn Over

Hold the crochet hook in your right hand. Insert the crochet hook from right to left, underneath the right strand of yarn. Grab the left strand of yarn (working yarn) with your hook. Pull it under the right strand and rotate your hook up to form a loop. (Note: This loop does not count as a chain stitch.) Yarn over with working yarn and pull through to create a chain stitch.

Step 3: Chain Stitches

The number of chain stitches you make depends on the type of stitch used in the first round of the pattern. If your pattern starts with a round of single crochet, you'll make 1 chain. If it starts with a round of half double crochet, make 2 chain stitches. If the pattern starts with a round of double crochet stitches, make 3 chain stitches. Wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front, and draw the yarn through the loop on the hook. This completes one chain stitch.

Step 4: Work Stitches into the Ring

Insert the hook into the centre of the ring, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through both loops. Repeat for a total of 6 stitches. When you insert your hook into the centre of the magic ring, make sure you're working under both strands: the loop itself and the yarn tail. If it feels like your stitches are twisting, or it feels hard to manage, try making the ring smaller by pulling on the yarn tail.

Step 5: Tighten the Ring

Hold the stitches with your right hand and pull the yarn tail to close the ring. Keep pulling until the hole is as small as possible. As you close the ring, the turning chain and the last stitch of the round will meet.

Step 6: Weave in the Yarn Tail

Use a tapestry needle to weave in the yarn tail securely to prevent the magic ring from coming undone.

Working the first round of stitches

To make a magic ring, first, lay the tail end of the yarn against your open hand and loop the working end of the yarn loosely around your first two fingers. Then, working from right to left, slide the crochet hook under the right-hand piece of yarn and over the left-hand piece. Grab the left-hand yarn and pull up a loop. Using your hook, grab the left-hand piece of yarn again and pull it through the loop on the hook. Chain 1 if you are doing a single crochet.

Now, you can make your first round of stitches into the ring. Insert the hook into the magic ring and draw up a loop to begin your first single crochet. You will be crocheting over the loop and the yarn tail. Complete the single crochet as usual. Continue making stitches until you have the required number for your pattern.

For a small bag, you will need to make two circles in a spiral. The first round will be 10 single crochets into the magic ring. The second round will be two single crochets into each stitch, which should give you 20 stitches. The third round will be one single crochet, then two single crochets into the next stitch. This should give you 30 stitches. The fourth round is one single crochet, two single crochets into the next stitch, then two single crochets, and two single crochets into the next stitch. Repeat this pattern nine times, then finish with one single crochet. This should give you 40 stitches.

Joining the round with a slip stitch

To join the round with a slip stitch, start by making a chain stitch. This does not count as a stitch. Then, make your first single crochet in the same stitch as the slip stitch join. Continue working the rest of your stitches. When you get to the end of the round, you should have what looks like one stitch left. This is not a stitch but rather the back end of the slip stitch join. Skip this stitch and the initial chain stitch and join to the first stitch with a slip stitch.

If you are working on a project with colour changes, you can make the seam less visible by slip stitching to join in the back loop, then chain one and single crochet in the front loop of the same stitch to start the next round.

Weaving in the yarn tail

Firstly, you will need a tapestry needle, also known as a darning or yarn needle. This is a needle with a big eye and a blunt tip. You will also need to cut the yarn, leaving a tail of at least 6 inches to weave in. Thread the yarn tail through the eye of the tapestry needle.

Now, you will weave the yarn tail into the crochet fabric, hiding the ends. Weaving in is always done on the wrong side of your work and into the part of your work that is the same colour as your tail. Weave the yarn horizontally through the base of several stitches in the row you just completed. Then, change direction and run the needle through a few stitches vertically. Change direction again and weave the yarn back through a few more stitches horizontally in the opposite direction. Pull the yarn snug and cut the yarn tail close to the surface of the fabric. Stretch out the fabric again, which will hide the end.

Continue doing this until you have woven all the loose ends. You can also weave in the ends with a crochet hook if you don't have a tapestry needle.

Frequently asked questions