A vision becomes reality
Creating your own crocheted piece can be very rewarding, however, writing the pattern to go along with that can be challenging. This bag was something that I constructed it in my mind and then started putting it together. I will admit, I’m very please with how it came out. I hope you enjoy making yourself a Cross-body Bag!
There are 3 different stitches, including a fun bead stitch in the middle. Below you will find the complete pattern for this crocheted cross-body bag. I’ve also included some photos and a link to a video I created while making it. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know if you have any questions or run into any problems.
Materials you will need
3 colors of yarn – I used Twisted Jean Yarn purchased from Mary Maxim. (UPDATE 7/18/21 – it appears this yarn is no longer available from Mary Maxim – you may find it on Amazon or Ebay but pricing is VERY high – I would consider a cotton blend or even Lion Brand’s Hemp Yarn) 218 yards each skein – used about 2/3 of each skein – I would call it a 3 weight yarn – 100% acrylic
1” button
Needle to fit through button hole
Tapestry needle
Bobby Pins (for marking stitches and holding live loops)
H (5 mm) Crochet Hook
Stitches
sc – single crochet – yo, pull up loop, yo pull through both loops on hook.
hhdc – herringbone half double crochet (yo, insert hook into st, pull up a loop AND pull through the first loop on the hook (2 loops remaining) yo, pull through both loops)
bead stitch – yo put hook into st, pull-up loop (3 loops on hook), yo into same st, pull-up loop (5 loops on hook), yo into same st, pull up loop (7 loops on hook), yo into same st, pull-up loop (9 loops on hook), yo pull through 8 of the 9 loops, yo pull through last two loops.
hhdc2tog – yo, into st, pull-up loop and through first loop on hook, yo, go into next st, pull-up loop and through first loop on hook (3 loops on hook), yo pull through all 3.
Base of bag
You will use your yard doubled for the bottom of the bag. Start by making a second ball with the color that you will be using for the bottom. Use about 1/2 of the skein to make the new ball.
Chain 30 using double yarn.
Round 1 – sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain to last chain, sc 3 in last chain (mark 1st sc of the 3 with a bobby pin – see my 5 Crochet Hacks Using Bobby Pins https://coachmelscrochetcorner.com/5-crochet-hacks-using-bobby-pins/), sc in each of the back loops of the chain to last back loop, 3 sc in last back loop (mark 1st sc of the 3).
Round 2 – sc in each sc to marker, 2 sc in sc with marker, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in each sc to next marker, 2 sc in sc with marker, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc.
Rounds 3 – 5 – sc (mark this first sc to you know where the start of the round is) in each sc around. Using a single ply of yarn, swap over to new color (blue) when you have two loops on your hook from your last sc of round 5. (66 sc)
Body of bag
Round 6 – hhdc in each sc to complete the round.
Rounds 7 – 11 – hhdc in each hhdc (mark 1st hhdc so you know when you complete the round, you will bring in your new color (green) at the end of round 11).
Rounds 12 – 17 – hhds in each hhdc marking the 1st hhdc for each round. Switch back to your 1st color yarn (same as bottom of bag – brown).
Decorative rows (center of bag):
Round 18 – sc in each hhdc to complete the round, slst to the beginning sc.
Round 19 – ch 2, bead stitch in next sc, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, bead stitch in next sc, continue from * around, you will end the round with a ch 1, skip, and a slst to the top of the first bead st.
Round 20 – ch 1, sc in slst from prior row, sc in each bead stitch and each ch 1 space to end of round, slst to first st of that round (68 sc) pull new color (blue) into loop on hook.
Round 21 – hhdc in each sc to end of round.
Rounds 22 – 26 – hhdc in each hhdc to end of each round, changing color (green) in last stitch of round 26.
Round 27 – 32 – hhdc in each hhdc to end of each round, remove hook from loop, use a bobby pin to hold this live loop, flip your bag so the inside is the outside – it is now actually right-side out.
Making the Flap
Row 1 – insert hook back into live loop (DO NOT FASTEN OFF THIS COLOR), pull in color for flap (brown) hhdc in each of 34 hhdc
Row 2 – 6 – ch 1 (do not count), turn, hhdc in first st and in each hhdc to end (34 hhdc)
Rows 7 – 10 – turn, hhdc2tog, hhdc in each hhdc until you have 2 st left at end, hhdc2tog in last two st, finish off yarn at end of row 10.
The Cross-body Strap
The strap is made with two strands of yarn just like the bottom of the bag. You will start where you left the colored yarn (green) from the last round (before starting the flap).
Row 1 – from back to front of bag, start at the same st as where you started the flap, pick up the yarn that is still attached (green) and the second color (blue), bring both through st. ch 1, fpsc around first hhdc and in next 5 hhdc (6 fpsc)
Row 2 – ??? ch 1, turn, sc in each sc until the strap reaches the length you like. Mine is 46” ch 1, turn, sc in each sc and across (6 sc).
Finish off leaving a long tail, it will be used to attach the strap to the other side of the bag.
Attaching strap to back of bag. Using a tapestry needle bring yarn through end hhdc from back to front, inside to outside. Like a front post stitch, work your needle behind the hhdc and up through the st of the strap. Continue across all 6 st of the strap. Bring yarn to the inside of the bag and tie off securely and weave in your ends.
Loop and Button – the home stretch
Mark the two center stitches of the flap (mine were 13 in from each end). Using the yarn you want for your loop, put your hook into one of your marked stitches. Pull through and then chain desired length for loop (button should pass through but not be too loose). I used a chain of 7 for a 1” button. Slst into the st with your second marker. Finish off.
Mark the bag, with a bobby pin, where you want the button to be attached. Make sure your needle is small enough to fit through the holes on the button. Start on the inside of the bag, bring yarn up through stitch that you marked, attach button with a few stitches through the button holes. Create a shank by coming up through the bag but not though the button. Wind the yarn around the yarn holding the button in place and then bring yarn to the inside of the bag. Tie off yarn inside of your bag.
Weave in all ends…don’t forget we flipped the bag so you have weaving to do on the inside!
This pattern is copyrighted property of Coach Mel’s Crochet Corner. All rights reserved. You are permitted to use this pattern for personal use. You may not reproduce this pattern in any way. Items you make using this pattern may be sold by you with credit being given to Coach Mel’s Crochet Corner as the pattern creator. If you display your finished work on any social media platform you must use a link to this post in the description.