The Twilight Bloom Crossbody Clutch: A Structured Crochet Bag Pattern

Welcome to a project that brings geometric precision and soft florals together! The Twilight Bloom Crossbody Clutch is a structured bag designed to hold your essentials—perfectly sized for a phone, wallet, and keys. We will be using two main components: a sturdy gusset (the side panel) that features a zipper slot, and two highly detailed, flat circular motifs (the flower faces).

This pattern is for the ambitious beginner or intermediate crocheter comfortable with following precise stitch counts and joining different components, similar to the method shown in the tutorial video.

• Finished Size: Approx. 8.5 inches (22 cm) diameter; 2.5 inches (6 cm) deep.
• Difficulty: Intermediate.

---

Materials & Tools Checklist

You will need a cotton or cotton blend yarn for structure and durability, matching the gauge to the 3.0 mm hook for a dense fabric.

Item	Quantity/Specification	Notes
Yarn A (Main Color)	Approx. 200 yards (Sport or Light Worsted Weight, Cat 3)	Used for the Gusset and the final motif rounds. (e.g., Deep Navy Blue)
Yarn B (Accent Color)	Approx. 50 yards (Sport or Light Worsted Weight, Cat 3)	Used for the inner motif flower rounds. (e.g., Bright Magenta)
Hook 1 (Main)	3.0 mm Crochet Hook	Used for all main sections. (Matches video recommendation).
Hook 2 (Straps)	2.5 mm Crochet Hook	Used for a tighter strap, if not using a chain strap.
Zipper	1 x 8-inch (20 cm) handbag zipper	Essential for the slotted opening.
Hardware	2 x 1-inch (25 mm) D-Rings or Swivel Clasps	For attaching the strap.
Notions	Stitch Markers, Tapestry Needle, Sewing Needle, Matching Thread	For seaming the zipper and weaving ends.

---

Essential Techniques & Glossary

Mastering these specific stitches is crucial for achieving the structured look of this clutch.

• Standing Double Crochet (StDC): A strong starting stitch. Begin with a slip knot on the hook, yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice.
• Invisible Join: Used when finishing rounds on the face motifs to create a seamless edge.
• Cluster (CL): Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Repeat 3 times in the same stitch/space. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops on hook.
• Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC): Used in the final rounds of the motif to add dimension, similar to the foreign post stitches in the video.

---

Phase 1: The Structured Side Gusset (Gusset Width: 2.5 inches)

This is the central band that gives the bag its depth and includes the zipper opening. (Reference: Video Gusset section.

Section A: Creating the Loop Foundation

1. Using Yarn A and 3.0 mm hook, Ch 88 stitches. (This number must be divisible by 4 and ensures the correct circumference).
2. Be careful not to twist the chain. Sl St to the first chain to form a large loop (88 stitches).
3. Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as HDC). HDC in each chain around (88 HDC). Sl St to the top of the Ch 2 to join.

Section B: The Zipper Slot Opening

This is where the zipper will be sewn in later, similar to the slot created in the video’s second round.

1. Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as HDC), turn. HDC in the next 20 stitches.
2. Creating the Opening: Ch 44 stitches.
3. Skipping Stitches: Skip the next 44 stitches on the body.
4. HDC in the remaining 23 stitches (including the starting Ch 2). Sl St to the top of the Ch 2 to join.
   • (Check: 20 HDC + 44 Chain + 23 HDC = 87 + 1 starting Ch 2 = 88 stitches total.)
5. Round 3: Ch 2, turn. HDC in the next 20 HDC. HDC into each of the 44 chains you made. HDC in the remaining 23 HDC. Sl St to join (88 HDC).

Section C: Building the Gusset Height

1. Rounds 4 – 10: Ch 2, turn. HDC in each stitch around (88 HDC). Sl St to join.
2. Fasten off and set aside.

---

Phase 2: The Twilight Bloom Motifs (Make 2)

These are the flat circular panels that will form the front and back of the clutch. (Reference: Video Motif section).

Section A: Flower Center (Yarn B)

1. Using Yarn B and the 3.0 mm hook, create a Magic Ring (MR).
2. Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as HDC). Work 11 HDC into the ring (12 HDC total). Pull tail to close ring. Sl St to join.
3. Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as DC). DC in the same stitch. 2 DC in every stitch around (24 DC). Sl St to join.
4. Round 3 (Cluster Petals): Ch 1. SC in the same stitch. Skip 1 stitch, work 4-DC Cluster into the next stitch, Ch 2. Repeat from * to * 7 times. Skip 1 stitch. 4-DC Cluster in the next stitch, Ch 2. Sl St to the first SC to join (12 Clusters).
5. Fasten off Yarn B.

Section B: Bloom Extension (Yarn A)

1. Join Yarn A into any Ch 2 space using a StDC.
2. Round 4: (StDC, DC) in the same Ch 2 space. (2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC) in the next Ch 2 space (corner increase). Repeat from * to * 5 times. (StDC, DC) in the last Ch 2 space. Sl St to the top of the StDC to join (48 DC).
3. Round 5: Ch 2 (counts as HDC). HDC in the next 3 stitches. HDC in the Ch 1 space. HDC in the next 7 stitches. Repeat from * to * 5 times. HDC in the Ch 1 space. HDC in the remaining 3 stitches. Sl St to join (60 HDC).
4. Round 6 (Defining the Bloom): Ch 3 (counts as DC). DC in the next 3 stitches. FPDC around the 5th stitch of the previous round. DC in the next 4 stitches. Repeat from * to * 11 times. Sl St to join (72 stitches).
5. Round 7: Ch 3. DC in the next 4 stitches. FPDC around the FPDC of the previous round. DC in the next 5 stitches. Repeat from * to * 11 times. Sl St to join (84 stitches).
6. Round 8 (Joining Round Prep): Ch 1. SC in every stitch around (84 SC). Sl St to join.

---

Phase 3: Assembly and Finishing

This phase combines all three components and finishes the strap.

Step 1: Joining the Motif to the Gusset (Repeat for both sides)

• Place the Gusset on a flat surface, with the zipper opening at the top.
• Line up one Motif (right side up) to the edge of the Gusset tube.
• Joining Round: Join Yarn A to any stitch on the Gusset. Working through both the Gusset edge and the Motif’s final SC round (84 stitches each):
  1. Ch 1. Slip Stitch (Sl St) through the corresponding stitch on both pieces.
  2. Repeat Sl St in every stitch around (84 Sl St).
  3. Fasten off and secure the yarn tail carefully.

Repeat this entire step for the second motif on the opposite side of the gusset.

Step 2: Zipper Installation

1. Open the zipper.
2. Using a sewing needle and matching thread, hand-sew the 8-inch zipper into the opening slot created in Gusset Round 2. Ensure the zipper teeth align exactly with the opening edges for a professional finish.

Step 3: Creating the Strap

1. Using Yarn A and the 2.5 mm hook for a tight strap, Ch 2.
2. HDC in the first chain. Ch 1, turn.
3. HDC in the first stitch. Ch 1, turn.
4. Repeat Step 3 until the strap reaches your desired length (approx. 45-50 inches for crossbody).
5. Fasten off.
6. Attach a D-Ring or Swivel Clasp to each end of the strap, folding the strap over the hardware and whipstitching it securely.
7. Attach the clasps to the Gusset seam where the two face panels meet, on opposite sides.

---

Final Touches: Weave in all remaining ends using your tapestry needle, ensuring the inner bag is neat. Your Twilight Bloom Crossbody Clutch is now ready for use!

Video tutorial: