Easy Crossbody Bag
I wanted a simple crochet purse that was light, stylish, and just big enough for keys, a phone, and a small wallet (for that boardwalk ice cream!). After some experimenting, I created this Easy Crossbody Bag. This free crochet pattern is perfect for those looking for a quick crochet project—it takes only a couple of hours and uses just 138 yards of yarn. It’s a fantastic one-skein stash buster! I especially love the textured shell flap because it adds a pretty detail while keeping your items secure. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly crochet bag, this is the one for you!
For this design, I used Lion Brand Rewind Tape Yarn. I had a skein in my stash that I usually save for sun hats, but I wanted to try something new. While the recommended hook size is a K (6.5 mm), I wanted my stitches to be very tight and sturdy, so I sized down to an H (5 mm) crochet hook.
I’ll be honest—at first, I wasn’t sure if it would be too difficult to work with, but it turned out exactly how I wanted! This tape yarn is a wonderful alternative to raffia or cotton. Because the stitches are so tight and the main body is worked in single crochet, you have a sturdy fabric that doesn’t require a liner. You won’t have to worry about small items falling through!
The crochet crossbody bag is crocheted in one long piece as shown in the picture. At the end you will be folding it in half and sewing only the single crochet section together on both sides. The shoulder strap is made separately and also sewed on at the end. You can use either a button or a large bead to close the flap. I have tons of large beads so that is what I used for mine. The pattern is written for one size but if you want to make it larger you definitely can. As always I recommend doing a gauge swatch so the measurements come out right. I say this because I used a bulky yarn with a much smaller hook size. I don’t want anyone using the recommended hook size & wondering why they have an extra large handbag.
FINISHED MEASUREMENT OF THE BAG:
6 inches wide and 7½ inches high (does not include the fold over flap). It can easily be made larger.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
– About 138 yards of Lion Brand Rewind Tape Yarn in Willow.
– Size H (5 mm) crochet hook.
– 1 button or large bead.
GAUGE: 14 single crochet = 4 inches.
DIRECTIONS:
STARTING AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT PIECE:
TIP: Keep track of how many rows you do because the back will be the same amount of rows.
Ch 22 (If you want to make the bag wider increase the beginning chain in multiples of 10).
FOUNDATION ROW:
– Sc in the 2nd ch from hook & in each ch across. Turn. (21 sc)
ROW 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn.
Repeat row 1 until the piece measures 7 ½ inches or your desired height. Do not fasten off and place a marker on the last row worked to mark the end of the front piece (this is where it will be folded in half).
BACK: Continuing with the same piece:
ROW 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn.
Repeat row 1 as many times as you did for the front.
FOLD OVER SHELL FLAP ROWS:
1: Ch 3 (counts as the first dc now & throughout), skip the first sc, dc in each of the next 2 sc, ch 1, skip 2 sc, work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) all in the next sc (shell made), *ch 1, skip 4 sc, work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) all in the next sc; repeat from * one more time, ch 1, skip 2 sc, dc in each of the last 3 sc. Turn.
2: Ch 3, skip the first dc, dc in each of the next 2 dc, *skip the ch 1 space, work 7 dc in the ch 3 space of the shell; repeat from * 2 more times, skip the dc of the last shell, skip the last ch 1 space, dc in each of the next 2 dc, dc in the top ch of the turning ch 3. Turn.
3: Ch 3, skip the first dc, dc in each of the next 2 dc, ch 1, skip the next 3 dc, work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) all in the next dc, *ch 1, skip the next 6 dc, work (1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc) all in the next dc; repeat from * one more time, ch 1, skip the next 3 dc, dc in each of the next 2 dc, dc in the top ch of the turning ch 3. Turn.
4: Repeat row 2.
5: Repeat row 3.
6: Repeat row 2.
7: Repeat row 3.
8: Repeat row 2 & fasten off.
SHOULDER STRAP:
Make a beginning chain about 45 inches long.
ROW 1: Slip stitch in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Do not turn.
ROW 2: Working on the other side of the chain slip stitch in each of the remaining loops of the chain across to the end and fasten off.
SEWING THE SIDE SEAMS:
Fold only the single crochet piece in half and sew the 2 sides together. This part is up to you on how you want to do the side seam. You can either slip stitch them together using a crochet hook or you can use the mattress stitch method with a tapestry needle.
SEWING THE BUTTON/BEAD AND SHOULDER STRAP:
Attach the ends of the shoulder strap on each side of the bag. I sewed the ends on the inside of the bag about an inch down.
Sew the button directly in the middle so it lines up with the hole of the middle shell.
You’re all done! I think this is probably one of the easiest patterns I designed and the one I will use the most this summer. Happy crocheting & I hope everyone enjoys it!
In the picture above I used Yarn Bee Braided Basics Small.