CROSS-BODY BAG

FREE PATTERN WITH VIDEO TUTORIAL

Hard crochet, basketry, tapestry crochet with hard/thick materials, carried rope… I’m still not sure if this technique has an official name, but I like it a lot. And I think you have to try it at least once. Apart from being fun, it’s faster than regular crochet, because of the height you reach with every round, while creating a thick fabric. It is also wonderful to make use of materials that you wouldn’t be able to crochet or manipulate with the hook right?

To make this cute practical bag, constructed of one main seamless piece and a long handle, which is attached by the end of the project. And dive into that collection of big buttons, because this is the right opportunity to use one.

I’m carrying an 8 mm cord/rope in between the stitches, which is quite thick so, if you find something similar to this online, at home or a big craft supply store, that will work.

Stitches included are super basic, single crochet, slip stitch and basic increases, and it’s all made in the round, both the bag and the handle. Wrapping the cord is what will give your project that special, textured feel. I suggest you take a look at the video tutorial, where I explain the basics of this technique first so, you can solve some of the questions you may have before starting.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Tapestry Crochet

In this technique, you crochet with one thread while an additional yarn is carried and wrapped in between the sts. It is usually used for color work, but it can also work to create a more resistant crocheted piece or a special design by carrying a thicker thread or a cord. Depending on the project, you will make one or more foundation rows/rounds with thinner yarn only and then move on to the tapestry crochet portion of the project by wrapping the cord in between the sts.

Or go ahead and watch the complete process for the Cross-body bag design, to start making your own. You will also find all written instructions below, together with a small chart on how to make increases for the bottom.

Just a few meters of cord and few sport weight cotton yarn as well, to complete the project. Also note Im using stitch markers in two colors. One for marking the first stitch of every round and move up as work progresses, and the others to mark stitches where increases will be made. Thats also represented in the chart below. Markers that I place for the increases are only for support, I find them useful, not to forget where to make them. But if you find you don’t need them or that they interfere with your crocheting, just use the beginning of rounds marker.

SUGGESTED MATERIALS

• 3.5 mm-E4 crochet hook
• One 100 gr/ 3.52 oz (200 m/ 218 yd) skein of sport weight cotton yarn in GRAY
• 6.6 yds/ 6 meters of 8 mm cotton cord, natural color
• One 1.4″/ 3.5 cm wide wooden button
• Stitch markers in two colors
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

FINISHED SIZE
7″ x 4.9″/ 18 cm x 12.5 cm

GAUGE (sc with tapestry crochet)
20 sts x 11 rnds= 4”/ 10 cm

SKILL LEVEL

Easy: This design includes crochet basic stitches, basic increases, easy shaping and finishing techniques.

STITCH GUIDE

• ch: chain
• Rnd: round
• st: stitch
• sc: single crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• rep: repeat

BAG
Started from the bottom. Crocheted in the round, in a spiral. With cotton yarn, ch 25.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a color A marker in the first st and a color B marker in the 2nd st), sc 22, 6 sc in next ch (place color B markers in 2nd and 5th st), continue on the other side of the ch, sc 22, 3 sc in the last ch (place a color B marker in the 2nd st)= 56 sts
Rnd 2: From this row on you’ll carry the cord. To start just take the cord leaving a 2”/ 5 cm strand, continue crocheting with cotton yarn but now wrapping the cord along. Don’t make knots. Relocate color A marker in the first st of every round and color B markers in the middle st every time you make 3 sc in one st. This will make counting rounds and sts easier.
Sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 24, 3 sc in next st, sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 24, 3 sc in next st, sc 1= 64 sts
Rnd 3: Sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 26, 3 sc in next st, sc 4, 3 sc in next st, sc 26, 3 sc in next st, sc 2= 72 sts

Rnd 4-12: Sc 72. Remove color B markers in Rnd 12 and continue relocating color A marker for beginning of rounds.
Rnd 13: Sc 72, remove the marker of what would be the first st of next round and sc 5 sts more (or necessary amount of sts) to reach the fold of the bag.
Rnd 14: Sc 16 (relocate beginning marker in the first of these sts, this will be the new beginning of rounds), sc 4 on the cotton cord only, skip 4 sts, sc 52= 72 sts
Rnd 15-16: Sc 72
Rnd 17: Cut the cord leaving a 2″/ 5 cm strand. Sc 72 with cotton yarn only. Sl st in the first st of the round and fasten off. Weave in all ends.

HANDLE
Started from one end. Crocheted in the round, in a spiral. Leave a long strand at the beginning to sew afterwards. With cotton yarn, ch 215.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (place a color A marker in the first st and a color B marker in the 2nd st), sc 212, 6 sc in next ch (place color B markers in 2nd and 5th st), continue on the other side of the ch, sc 212, 3 sc in the last ch (place a color B marker in the 2nd st)= 436 sts
Rnd 2: Relocate color A marker in the first st of every round and color B markers in the middle st every time you make 3 sc in one st. This will make counting sts easier.
Sc 1, 3 sc in next st, sc 214, 3 sc in next st, sc 2, 3 sc in next st, sc 214, 3 sc in next st, sc 1= 444 sts. Sl st in the first st of the round. Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing.
Final size of the handle will be 39.3″/ 100 cm long and 1.1″/ 2.7 cm wide.

FINISHING
Sew the button to the inside of the bag, just in front of the eyelet, to the center.
Sew each end of the handle to the sides of the bag, 4 rows below the edge.
The bag’s ready.