A handmade crossbody bag is a beautiful and personal accessory for a day out, and one made with a sleek, minimalist design is even better. The “Modern Minimalist” Crochet Crossbody Bag is a perfect project for any crocheter, featuring a simple, beginner-friendly design that is both stylish and incredibly functional. This detailed tutorial will guide you through creating a sturdy, stylish, and fun bag that is perfect for carrying your essentials and expressing your unique style.
This project is an excellent choice for a beginner looking to create a beautiful, practical item or for an experienced crocheter wanting a fast and fun project. The bag is worked from the bottom up, which makes it a seamless project that is easy to try on as you go.
Why Crochet the Modern Minimalist Bag?
- Sleek & Stylish: The simple design and texture of the stitches create a classic look that never goes out of style.
- Sturdy & Functional: The dense nature of the stitch makes the bag strong and helps it hold its shape.
- Skill Building: You’ll master the art of working a new, beautiful stitch pattern and learn how to create a seamless bag with a sturdy base and a functional strap.
- Impressive Look: The finished bag looks much more complicated than it actually is, making it a great conversation starter.
- Customizable: Easily change the size, colors, or add a different handle to make it your own.
1. Planning Your Bag: Size & Materials
- Finished Size: The pattern is designed for a versatile crossbody bag, approximately 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter at the base and 10 inches (25 cm) tall. You can easily adjust the size by changing your hook size or the number of increase rounds.
- Yarn Choice: Choose a yarn that is durable and holds its shape well.
- Fiber: A sturdy, thick yarn like T-shirt yarn or a strong macrame cord is highly recommended. This will give the bag its shape and durability.
- Weight: A chunky or super bulky weight yarn is ideal for this project.
- Color: A single, solid color will best highlight the stitches, but a variegated yarn could also create a beautiful effect.
- Quantity: You will need approximately 200-300 yards (180-275 meters) of yarn in total.
2. Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn: Your chosen quantity of a thick, sturdy yarn.
- Crochet Hook: 8.0 mm (L-11 US) or a hook size that gives you a dense but flexible fabric with your yarn.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
- Stitch Markers (Optional): To mark the beginning of rounds.
3. Essential Crochet Stitches & Techniques
- Slip Knot
- Chain (ch)
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining and neatening.
- Single Crochet (sc)
- Working in the Round: The bag is worked in continuous rounds from the top down.
4. Let’s Crochet the Modern Minimalist Bag!
We’ll start with the base, then work up the body, and finish with the top and strap.
Part 1: The Base (Worked in Rounds)
This creates a flat, sturdy foundation for your bag.
- Start with a Magic Ring (or Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring).
- Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Work 8 sc into the magic ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- Round 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- [16 sc]
- Round 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the first stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- [24 sc]
- Round 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st.
- [32 sc]
- Round 5: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st.
- [40 sc]
- Continue increasing in this manner until the base of the bag is large enough to be your desired size (approximately 6-8 inches in diameter).
Part 2: The Body (Worked in Rounds)
This is where you’ll create the height of the bag.
- Round 1 (Defining the Edge): Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). Sc in the back loop only (BLO) of each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc.
- Working in the BLO creates a defined ridge, marking the transition from the base to the body of the bag.
- Rounds 2-20: Ch 1. Sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc of the round.
- Continue working these rounds until the bag reaches your desired height (for this pattern, about 10 inches / 25 cm tall).
Part 3: The Strap
- Strap: Ch 101 (or a chain length that is a comfortable crossbody length for you).
- Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 2-3: Sc in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn.
- The strap should now be a nice, sturdy strip. Once it is long enough, sew it to the top of the bag on opposite sides.
- Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Enjoy your beautiful, handmade “Modern Minimalist” Crochet Crossbody Bag. Its elegant design and handmade charm are sure to be a conversation starter!
Video tutorial:
