Okay, hopefully I’m not losing people here, but I’m venturing into some creative unknown territory with these crochet with leather projects. I’ve just had this vision of taking some bag designs to the next level, and that level is crochet and leather handbags.
I’ve played around with some other ideas for crochet with leather projects that weren’t too crazy to start, like this crochet and leather jewelry tray. Super cute and easy, I’ll share it sometime too.
Really, I’m just intimidated by the new concept and more so by the leather cutting etc. It’s been a slow start but I’m getting more comfortable with each project.
I’m keeping it simple for myself, but I wanted to take you all along with me on the journey too, so we’ll keep it simple for everyone and walk this road together.
The leather for this project is simple, just the bottom and strap loops. I made both pieces from chrome tanned leather, with is soft and pliable.
I don’t recommend veg tan for this as it will be too ridged, but we’re all just experimenting and veg tan IS cheaper to play around with. Don’t be afraid to play around with either one. I’ll talk more about leather later as I learn more.
If you’re looking for more free crochet bag patterns, you might like these.
1 Crochet Purse Pattern / 2 Crochet Mini Crocodile Stitch Bag Pattern
If you’d like a video tutorial to follow along, be sure to scroll down to the bottom
Materials
- Chrome tanned leather
- I used 1 and a half skeins of 2mm Macaroni macrame rope in color mustard
- 6 mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
- Cutting mat
- OLFA rotary knife
- Ruler
- Leather hole punch
*These materials contain affiliate links, for which I make a small commission. It’s no extra cost to you, makes shopping easier and helps to keep the lights on.
Stitches Used & Code
- ch = chain
- st = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- bl = back loop
- REP = repeat
- ” = inches
Skill: Easy
Bag measurements: 24.8″ Circumference X 10″ Tall (not including the strap)
Crochet Bag Instructions
Cutting the leather bottom
I cut a piece of leather rectangle for the bottom measuring 8″x 3.5″. If you want it smaller or bigger, feel free to try it.
Next I punched the holes in the edges. I measured in about a 1/4″ from the edge of my leather and marked off the first whole to punch. Then I marked off half inch intervals all the way around with a marker. I punched my holes at these half inch marks. It doesn’t have to be the same, just play around with your on method.
Just make sure your holes are all consistent and even. (Check picture below)
After we’re done with the bottom, we’ll start crocheting the bag
Note: We’re going to work in spiral so make sure to place the stitch marker into the first stitch in every round
Round 1: 3 sc into the corner hole, 1 sc into next hole and each hole until you reach the next corner hole, 3 sc into corner hole, 1 sc into next hole and each hole until you reach the next corner hole, 3 sc into corner hole, 1 sc into next hole and each hole until you reach the next corner hole, 3 sc into corner hole, 1 sc into next hole and each hole around. Total of 50 st (Check picture below)
Round 2: 2 sc into each of next 3 st bl only, *1 sc into bl of next st and each st until you reach the 3 st at the next corner, 2 sc into each of next 3 st bl only* REP from *TO* until you reach the last corner, 1 sc into bl of each st around. Total of 62 st (Check picture below)
Round 3: 1 sc into bl of each st around. Total of 62 st
Round 4 – Round 20: REP Round 3
The end of round 20 cut the yarn and weave all the ends.
Crochet The Strap
Note: For the strap you can make it as long as you like, just make more ch when you start. The length of your chain divided by 2 will be the final strap length.
Leave a 3-4 inch long tail, then I chained 154 which was about 58″, 1 sl st into second ch from hook and each ch across, then cut the yarn and leave another 3-4 inch long tail.
Leather Strap Loops
I’m going to cut small tabs to make the strap loops out of. I cut two 1″ x 3.5″ strips of the same leather as the bottom. I punched two holes in each end of the strip by folding it equally in half and punching through both pieces at one time.
Both pieces are made exactly the same. (Check picture below)
Next, we’re going to sew these strap loops into the bag. I lay the bag flat to sew the loops into each side of the bag. One side of the tab is sewn to the inside and one to the outside, using the same yarn you used to crochet the bag.
Using a yarn needle to sew, I sewed the tabs on through the holes that we punched earlier. I stitched it multiple times to make sure its nice and secure. Can’t have your strap fall off!
Then we’ll just weave the ends inside the bag. (Check picture below)
Now we just have to insert our strap into our loops we sewed on earlier so it makes for a doubled strap.
I inserted from the right side through the front of the loop, through the back and around through the back on the left loop. I pull it all through and sew the strap ends together. (Check picture below)
HERE’S THE VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR THIS CROCHET BAG
Congratulations on your finished bag! I hope you enjoyed this project. It’s a little out of the box, but it’s going to open up a lot of creativity for us for future projects.
If you’d like to make a lining for your bag, be sure to check out the lining tutorial here.
Till next time. Happy crocheting😊
Wan