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

If you're looking for a fun, fruity summer project, why not try crocheting a strawberry bag? This guide will take you through everything you need to know to make your own, from the materials and patterns to the step-by-step process. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crocheter, this project is a great way to add a touch of sweetness to your wardrobe or home decor. So, get your hooks and yarn ready, and let's start stitching!

Choosing a pattern

Firstly, decide on the size of your bag. Do you want a small bag to hold a few items, or a larger bag with more capacity? The size will determine the number of stitches and rows required. For example, if you're making a bag for a child, you might follow a pattern that results in a bag measuring 11 ¼ inches from top to bottom and about 13 inches across the top, like the one in the Harris Sisters' blog.

Next, consider the style of the bag. Do you want a backpack with two handles, or a tote bag with a single handle? The Out & About Backpack pattern, as mentioned by the Harris Sisters, could be a good option for a backpack, whereas a single handle could be crafted using a pattern like the one they ultimately chose.

You can also get creative with the top of the strawberry. Many patterns feature individual leaves, but if you prefer a different look, you can opt for a ruffle top like the one in a YouTube tutorial mentioned by the Harris Sisters.

Additionally, think about the level of difficulty you're comfortable with. Some patterns are beginner-friendly, while others are more complex and suited for intermediate crocheters. The complexity of the pattern will also impact the time it takes to complete the project.

Finally, you can browse through the various free patterns available online, such as those mentioned by the Harris Sisters and the free pattern by Amy Yarbrough on Crochet Spot, and choose the one that best suits your skill level and desired style. You can also purchase patterns on Etsy, like the one offered by Ahookamigurumi, which may offer additional support or unique features.

Remember, you can always modify patterns to suit your needs, as demonstrated by the Harris Sisters, who combined several patterns to create their ideal strawberry bag.

Materials and tools

To crochet a strawberry bag, you will need the following materials and tools:

• Medium weight yarn in red, dark green, light green or yellow, and small amounts of white or black.
• A crochet hook, size H (5.00 mm).
• A yarn needle.
• A tape measure.
• Stitch markers.
• Scissors.
• Fray Block or another type of fabric glue.

The amount of yarn you will need depends on the size of your bag. For a small bag, you will need approximately 45 yards of red yarn, 20 yards of dark green, and a small amount of light green or yellow. If you are making a larger bag, you will need more yarn. You can adjust the size of your bag by following the same repeats in the crochet pattern and increasing or decreasing the number of stitches.

In addition to the materials listed above, you may also need:

• A drawstring for the bag, preferably with strawberry blossoms attached to the ends to keep them from coming out of the bag.
• A handle for the bag, preferably sturdy if the bag is intended for a child.

Crocheting the strawberry

To crochet the strawberry, you will need a dark pink or red yarn for the berry and a green yarn for the strawberry cap. You will also need small bits of white and yellow yarn for flowers, and white or black yarn for the seeds. A size H hook is recommended for the entire project.

For the body of the bag, follow a basic crochet increase pattern, repeating four increase rows and one non-increase row for the main body. Work the pattern until you have 18 stitches between increases. When decreasing, work in a few more decrease rows than specified. The finished strawberry on the bag should measure around 11 ¼ inches from top to bottom and about 13 inches across the top opening when laid flat. You can, of course, make your bag any size you choose by following the same repeats in the tutorial.

For the seeds, loop the yarn through each area three times before tying off. Tie off each seed tightly at least four times and then cut all loose ends. You can also dab each knot with Fray Block to ensure the knots stay secure.

For the top of the strawberry, you can follow a step-by-step YouTube tutorial for a ruffle-top bag. Alternatively, many patterns feature individual leaves for the strawberry top.

Adding seeds

For a realistic look, make random stitches around the bag from the inside out to represent the seeds. Be careful not to stitch into the other strand or the stitches themselves, as this will ruin your strands and prevent the bag from cinching properly.

To ensure the seeds are extra secure, you can loop the yarn through each area three times before tying off. Tie off each seed tightly at least four times and then cut the loose ends. You can also dab each knot with Fray Block to further ensure the knots stay in place.

Another method to add seeds is to simply stitch small bits of white or black yarn onto the strawberry. This method ensures the seeds are extra secure, but be sure to use Fray Block on the knotted ends to keep them from coming undone.

Creating the handle

For the handle, I wanted something sturdy that would work for a backpack or a tote bag. I really liked the look of the handles on this Out & About Backpack, so I used that same basic principle. To start, I chained 85 instead of 101. Instead of 11 rows of SC, I only did 7 rows before folding over and trimming in the scallops. The scallops seemed to work better when I skipped 2 stitches between them. I used pink yarn to attach each end of the handle securely to the inside top of the bag and weaved in the ends. I decided on a tote bag version, which only required one handle, but if you’d like to make a backpack, you could always make two handles and attach them to the back of the bag instead of the top.

If you’re making a backpack, you’ll need to make two handles. Chain 101 and then do 11 rows of SC. Fold over and trim in the scallops, skipping 2 stitches between them. Use pink yarn to attach the ends of the handles securely to the back of the bag, not the top, and weave in the ends.

For a sturdier handle, you can also try crocheting a tube and then turning it inside out so that the seam is on the inside. This will give you a nice, clean look on the outside of your handle. You can also add a little bit of interfacing to the inside of the tube to give it some extra stability. Just be sure that whatever material you use can be washed the same way as your yarn so that it doesn’t get ruined!

If you’re short on time or yarn, you can always use a sturdy ribbon or piece of fabric for the handle. Cut it to the desired length, and then use your crochet hook to pull one end of the ribbon through the inside of the bag at the top on one side. Tie a knot at that end, and then repeat on the other side. This will give you a quick and easy handle that can be removed if needed.

Frequently asked questions