Knit A Crochet Bag: A Beginner's Guide To Success

how to knit crochet bag

Knitting and crocheting are often thought of as hobbies for retired people, but they are gaining popularity among people of all ages. Making a crochet bag is a practical and creative way to pass the time and can be an excellent way to be productive while watching TV on cold and rainy days. There are many different types of crochet bags that you can make, including backpacks, market bags, totes, zipper pouches, crossbody bags, and more. The type of bag you want to make will determine the kind of yarn and crochet hook you will need. For example, if you want to make a bag with a flap, you will need to crochet a longer back piece. You will also need to decide if you want to add a liner to your bag, which will add a professional look and ensure that your belongings are safe and secure.

How to Knit a Crochet Bag

Characteristics Values
Type of Bag Envelope-style bag, tote bag, pouch, backpack, market bag, crossbody bag, shoulder bag, etc.
Yarn Type Cotton, soft acrylic, Lion Brand Rewind Yarn, Cascade Ultra Pima, etc.
Yarn Colour Solid colours, bright colours, etc.
Yarn Thickness Medium-weight, bulky, super bulky, etc.
Crochet Hook Size Varies depending on the yarn type and thickness
Additional Materials Fabric liner, buttons, zippers, stitch markers, etc.
Techniques Single crochet, double crochet, Tunisian crochet, star stitch, granny square, etc.
Difficulty Beginner, intermediate, etc.

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Choosing the right yarn

Yarn Type

The type of yarn you choose will depend on the design of your bag. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Will the bag have an inner lining?
  • Is the bag meant to be slouchy or stretchy, like a market bag?
  • Or is it supposed to be firm and well-shaped, like a handbag or backpack?
  • What kind of outlook do I want? Should it look soft and fluffy, or structured?

For bags with an inner lining, you can use Milk Cotton Yarn or Acrylic Yarn, which tend to be stretchy. If you're making a slouchy market bag, these yarns are a good choice. However, they may pill and give a "furry" look over time. To counter this, use a smaller hook size than recommended to create tighter stitches.

For firm and well-shaped bags, cotton yarns are recommended. Cotton is less stretchy, allowing your stitches to stand out and giving your bag a more defined look. Cotton yarns are also more durable and pill less, ensuring your bag maintains its shape and finish over time.

If you want a sturdy, non-stretchy, and structured bag, consider using bag yarns like cotton-linen yarn or braided cotton rope yarn. These yarns are specially formulated for making bags and provide excellent shape and strength. However, they can make the bag heavier and bulkier.

Yarn Weight

Most crochet bags are made with medium-weight DK (lightweight) or worsted weight (medium weight) yarns. Lighter yarns may not be robust enough for a bag, unless you're making a string market bag that needs to fold down into a small space. Heavier yarns can be great for statement purses, but they might be too heavy to carry around.

Colour

Colour is an important consideration when choosing yarn for your bag. It can be the difference between a bag you love and one that is just okay. Choose a yarn that offers a variety of colour options to match your desired bag design.

Care Instructions

Consider the care instructions for the yarn. Is it easy to spot clean or machine washable? If your bag is a handbag that will rub against your clothes, test the yarn for colourfastness by tying a small bundle and soaking it in warm water. If no colour leaches out, it's good to go. Also, check for pilling by crocheting a swatch and rubbing it together to see if pills form.

Price

Price may also be a factor, but since bags don't use up a lot of yarn, it usually isn't a significant concern. You can find many affordable yarn options that are perfect for crochet bags.

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Selecting a crochet hook

Recommended Hook Size

Most yarn labels indicate the recommended hook size to use for a particular type of yarn. It is generally a good idea to stick with the suggested hook size to achieve the desired stitch gauge and fabric drape. The recommended hook size will also ensure that your crocheted fabric has the correct density and structure.

Yarn Thickness

The thickness of the yarn you have chosen will play a crucial role in determining the size of the crochet hook you need. As a general rule, thicker yarns require thicker hooks, while finer yarns call for thinner hooks. Using a hook that is too small for your yarn will result in tight and dense stitches, while a hook that is too large will create loose and uneven stitches.

Project Requirements

Consider the type of project you are undertaking. If you are a beginner, it is advisable to start with a simple project that uses basic stitches. For such projects, a standard-sized crochet hook, such as an H/8 (5.0 mm) or I/9 (5.5 mm) hook, would be suitable. More complex projects, such as those with intricate stitch patterns or lacework, may require smaller or larger hooks to achieve the desired effect.

Stitch Definition

The crochet hook you select can impact the overall appearance of your stitches. If you are working with textured yarns or creating intricate stitch patterns, a hook with a smooth surface and a tapered throat, such as a inline or tapered hook, can help produce well-defined stitches. On the other hand, if you are working with smooth yarns, an ergonomic hook with a wider throat may provide a more comfortable grip.

Work Speed and Effort

The size and type of crochet hook can also affect your working speed and the amount of effort required. Thicker hooks with larger handles can be more comfortable to hold and may allow you to work faster, especially if you are working with bulky yarns. On the other hand, smaller hooks may require more precision and can be more suitable for delicate or intricate work.

Personal Preference

Lastly, consider your personal preferences and comfort. Crochet hooks come in a variety of materials, including aluminium, steel, bamboo, and plastic. Some crocheters prefer the smooth feel of aluminium or steel hooks, while others find bamboo or wooden hooks more comfortable and warm to the touch. Experiment with different types of hooks to find the ones that feel most comfortable in your hands.

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Making a test swatch

A test swatch 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. This is important because it will determine how big your bag will be.

To make a test swatch, start by chaining the amount of stitches you want the bottom and top width of your bag to be. For a beginner, you will be creating either a rectangle or a square, so the top and bottom of your bag will be equal lengths, as will the sides.

For small to medium-sized bags, between 30 and 60 stitches should work well. Remember to count your stitches and write down the number, so you know how many you included in the initial chain. If your chain is long, you may want to use markers every ten to twenty stitches to help you keep track.

Once you have your initial chain, turn your work and single crochet back along your chain. Now you can count your stitches. You should have one less single crochet stitch than you had chain stitches. This is good! It means you placed your hook in the correct loop when you made the first single crochet stitch of the row.

For example, if you want your bag to be 40 single crochet stitches across, you will need to make an initial beginning chain of 41 stitches.

Continue making single crochet stitches until you reach the end of the row. Then, chain 1 stitch and turn your work again. Repeat this process, row by row, until your test swatch reaches the desired size (approximately 4"x4").

Now you have a test swatch that will help you ensure your bag is the correct size and that your stitches are consistent and even.

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Creating a chain

To create a chain, start by making a slip stitch. Then, chain the amount of stitches you want the width of the bag to be. This will be your initial beginning chain, which will be as long as you want the width of your bag to be.

If you want your bag to be 40 single crochet stitches across, you will need to make an initial beginning chain of 41 stitches. For small to medium-size bags, between 30 and 60 stitches should work well.

Keep in mind that you will want to write down the number of stitches in your initial chain. If your chain is particularly long, you may find it helpful to use markers every ten to twenty stitches to help you keep count.

Once you have completed your initial chain, you will need to turn so that you can start the next row on the opposite side. To turn your work, simply rotate it clockwise, as if turning a page in a book, so that your last stitch in the current row becomes the first stitch in the new row.

Now, single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Continue making single crochet stitches back along your chain. You will find that you have one less single crochet stitch than you had of chain stitches. This is good! It means you placed your hook in the correct loop when you made the first single crochet stitch of the row.

Continue to single crochet to the end of the row. Then, chain one stitch and turn your work as described above. Repeat this process, row after row, until you have reached the desired height for your bag.

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Sewing a lining

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric

Start by pressing your chosen fabric well. Then, fold the fabric in half, with the right sides touching, and selvedge to selvedge. This will ensure that the lining is the correct size for your bag.

Step 2: Calculate the Size

To calculate the length of the lining, add the height of the purse, the width of the base, the height of the purse again, and a ½” seam allowance (¼” per edge). For the width, take the width of the purse and add a ½” seam allowance (¼” on each side).

Step 3: Cut the Fabric

Trim the sides and top of the fabric according to your measurements. For example, if your purse measures 11" in height, 6" for the width of the base, and 13" for the width, your lining length would be 28½" and the width would be 13½".

Step 4: Hem the Short Sides

Fold one of the top edges (short sides) by ¼" with the wrong sides of the fabric together, and press. Repeat this fold and press again. Sew down the folded edges to create a neat hem. Repeat this process for the other short side.

Step 5: Fold and Sew the Fabric

Now, fold the fabric in half with the hemmed short sides together, ensuring that the right sides of the fabric are touching. Sew down each side with a ¼” seam allowance. Serge or overcast the edges when you're finished.

Step 6: Insert the Liner

Insert the newly created liner into the crochet bag and pin it in place. Use an invisible stitch to hand sew the liner to the top of the bag, making sure to only grab one side of the hem. Work the needle through each post, similar to a mattress stitch, using the crochet stitches as your guide.

Optional: Add a Zipper

If you want to add a zipper to your lining, lay your unzipped zipper face down. Unfold the fabric and place one of the short edges, with the right side down, in the centre of the upper portion of the zipper. Bring the other short edge up to the bottom portion of the zipper, with the right side facing the zipper. Iron the seams and sew down the sides of the fabric. Finish with an overcast stitch, then insert and pin the liner into the bag, sewing it in place as described in Step 6.

Frequently asked questions

To knit a crochet bag, you will need yarn, a crochet hook, and scissors. You may also want to use stitch markers and a yarn needle.

First, decide on the type of bag you want to make (e.g. tote bag, pouch, backpack). Then, review the basics of crocheting and choose your yarn and hook. You can then start by chaining the amount of stitches you want the width of the bag to be and continue with single crochet stitches.

The type of yarn you use depends on your preference and the type of bag you want to make. Cotton yarn is a popular choice as it is often stronger and more durable than acrylic yarns. If this is one of your first projects, it is recommended to stick with a simple, plain yarn of cotton or soft acrylic.

To finish your bag, you will need to fasten off the yarn, fold the bag, and sew the sides together. You can also add a strap by crocheting one and attaching it to the bag. Finally, you can add a lining to your bag by sewing it custom to your bag.

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