How to crochet a raffia bag with a modern look
If you haven’t noticed, I have been absent from the blog for what feels like ages. It’s natural to feel a little burned out as I just threw myself into my designs for years. I made this raffia bag to try to reinvigorate my joy for crochet. Everyone seemed to want to make one too, so I decided to make a free crochet bag pattern for everyone that asked.
Mission accomplished!
I made the original crochet raffia bag in black, which is a terrible color for photo and video instructionals, so I hade to make another in a lighter color for the tutorial. Moral of the story, I have two bags instead of one, so thank you!
This free crochet bag pattern can be made with 1 skein of raffia yarn! I know, I know. Some of you are ready to start typing to ask if you can use a different yarn. I’ve learned over the last year or two that raffia isn’t for everyone.
The good news for the non raffia lovers out there, is you can use any yarn you like for this free crochet bag pattern. Just be aware though, it WILL look and feel different. That’s okay with a bag, but just so you know what to expect. It may be a smaller or larger size as well depending on the yarn you use, so keep that in mind.
If you make the free crochet bag pattern with a regular yarn instead of raffia, I highly recommend using a #3 or #4 weight yarn, preferably in something 100% cotton.
The project for this free crochet bag pattern includes a video tutorial as well and is a very easy project to make. I mostly used double crochet mixed with a front post puff stitch for a little depth and texture.
The straps for this crochet raffia bag are a simple, but very durable I-CORD. The fun thing about the straps is that you can customize them in almost unlimited ways. You can make a double or single strap, an over the shoulder style, a cross body style etc etc. Just get creative and make what suits you and your style specifically.
If you’re looking for more crochet fun projects to work on, I highly recommend these crochet patterns below
1. Crochet Granny Square Bag / 2. Crochet Basket Bag / 3. Happy Hour Crochet Top
Hope you all enjoy, it feels really good to be back here to share with you all. Happy crocheting!
Materials
- I used about 220 yards/only 1 skein of this Raffia yarn
- 4mm crochet hook
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
*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 (US Term)
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- dc = double crochet
- sp = space
- sl st = slip stitch
- REP = repeat
- YO = yarn over hook
- beg dc = Beginning double crochet: 1 sc and then ch 1
- fp pf = Front post puff stitch: *YO insert hook behind next st from right to left around the post, YO pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)* REP from *TO* 2 more times (7 loops on hook), YO pull through 6 loops (2 loops on hook), YO pull through all loops on hook.
- ” = inches
Skill: Easy
Notes: This pattern uses English (US) Terminology
Gauge unblocked: 16 st X 6.5 rounds = 4″
Bag Measurements: 24″ Circumference X 10.34″ Tall (Not including the bag base and the straps) X 15″ Strap length from the shoulder down (though you can customize the length)
The Free Crochet Bag Pattern
Notes: We’re going to work in the round starting with the bag base. Rounds 1-6 are for the bag base, rounds 7-24 are for the body of the bag.
Round 1: ch 5, sl st into the first ch to form a circle, ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 2 dc into the same circle sp, *ch 2, 3 dc into the same circle sp* REP from *TO* 4 more times, end with ch 2, sl st into the third ch that we did at the beginning. Total of 18 dc and 6 ch 2 sp. Check picture below
Round 2: beg dc into the the previous ch 2 sp, 1 dc into each of next 3 st, *(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc All into the ch 2 sp), 1 dc into each of next 3 st* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the beg dc, 1 dc into that sp, ch 2, sl st into the top of the beg dc. Total of 30 dc and 6 ch 2 sp. Check picture below
Round 3: beg dc into the the previous ch 2 sp, 1 dc into each st until you reach the ch 2 sp, *(1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc All into the ch 2 sp), 1 dc into each st until you reach the next ch 2 sp* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the beg dc, 1 dc into that sp, ch 2, sl st into the top of the beg dc. Total of 42 dc and 6 ch 2 sp.
Round 4 – Round 6: REP round 3, you’ll increase by 12 st in each round. The end of round 6, you’ll have a total of 78 dc and 6 ch 2 sp. Check picture below
Round 7: beg dc into the the previous ch 2 sp, 1 dc into each st until you reach the ch 2 sp, *3 dc into the ch 2 sp), 1 dc into each st until you reach the next ch 2 sp* REP from *TO* around and for last sp is going to be the same sp that we did the beg dc, 2 dc into that sp, sl st into the top of the beg dc. Total of 96 dc. Check picture below
Round 8: ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into each of next 14 st, 1 fp pf into next dc st, *1 dc into each of next 15 st, 1 fp pf into next dc st* REP from *TO* around, end the round with sl st into the third ch. Total of 90 dc and 6 fp pf st. Check picture below
Round 9: ch 3 (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into each of next 14 st, 1 fp pf into next fp pf st, *1 dc into each of next 15 st, 1 fp pf into next fp pf st* REP from *TO* around, end the round with sl st into the third ch. Total of 90 dc and 6 fp pf st. Check picture below
Round 10 – Round 22: REP Round 9
Round 23: ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into the same st, 1 sc into next st and each st around, end the round with sl st into the first sc. Total of 96 sc
Round 24: ch 1 (do not count as a st), 1 sc into the same st, 1 sc into next st and each st around, end the round with sl st into the first sc. Total of 96 sc. Check picture below
Straps
For the crochet bag strap, I used an I-CORD. I have two options for the straps, first one is crocheting with one strand (I made this version for the black color bag), second one is crocheting with two strands (I made this version for the natural color bag below). Using one strand is giving you small I-CORD straps, using two strands will give a bigger I-CORD strap. It depends on how you’d like your straps to look. I love them both!
Row 1 : Leave a 8 inch long tail, then ch 3. Insert hook into second ch from hook, YO pull up a loop. Insert hook into next ch, YO pull up a loop. Total of 3 loops on hook (Check picture below)
Row 2 : Remove two loops on hook (Make sure not to lose them). With remaining loop on hook, YO pull up a loop. Insert hook into next loop, YO pull up a loop. Insert hook into next loop, YO pull up a loop. Total of 3 loops on hook (Check picture below)
Repeat row 2 until your strap reaches about 30 inches long or your desired length
The last row of I-Cord : With 3 loops on hook, YO pull through all the loops on hook then ch 1 to secure. Cut the yarn and leave about an 8 inch tail
Sew The Straps Into The Bag
To sew the straps into the bag, we’re going to use the tails that we left earlier on the straps to sew into the bag on each side with the yarn needle. I sew into the (fp pf line, sk next fp pf line, sew into the next fp pf line) but you can adjust it how ever you like. I sew the same on the other side/strap. Check picture below
HERE’S THE BAG VIDEO TUTORIAL
That’s it, you’re all done with this free crochet bag pattern! Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to tag me with your work on social media, I love to see everyone’s work.
Till next time,
Happy crocheting!!
✌️❤️🧶