by Let’s crochet a truly beautiful and personalized Easy DIY Crochet Rose Granny Square Bag! This project combines the timeless charm of granny squares with a lovely floral accent, creating a unique and eye-catching accessory. This tutorial is designed to be beginner-friendly while still allowing for a stunning final product.
How to Make an Easy DIY Crochet Rose Granny Square Bag
This detailed guide will take you from crocheting individual rose granny squares to assembling them into a charming and practical handbag. It’s a satisfying project that’s perfect for adding a touch of floral elegance to your style.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
This project is great if you’re comfortable with:
- Chain (ch): The basic foundation.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds.
- Single Crochet (sc): A fundamental stitch.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A stitch taller than sc.
- Double Crochet (dc): The main stitch for granny squares.
- Treble Crochet (tr) / Triple Crochet: A taller stitch used for petals.
- Magic Ring (MR) / Chain-2 Start: For a neat center hole.
- Working in rounds: Crocheting in a circular fashion.
- Color changes: Neatly switching between yarn colors.
- Fastening off: Securing your yarn.
- Weaving in ends: The essential finishing touch.
- Basic seaming: Joining squares with a yarn needle or slip stitch.
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
A handbag made with 9 squares (3×3 layout) and 5-inch (12.5 cm) granny squares will be roughly:
- Body: 15 inches (38 cm) wide by 10 inches (25 cm) tall (excluding the handle).
- Handle: This tutorial uses a simple crocheted loop handle that you can customize for length.
You can easily adjust the size of your bag by making more or fewer squares, or by making larger or smaller squares.
Materials You’ll Need:
Gathering your materials beforehand makes for a smoother crocheting experience.
- Yarn: Approximately 250-350 yards (230-320 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Acrylic Yarn.
- Why Cotton/Acrylic? Cotton yarn provides excellent structure and durability, which is excellent for bags. It also helps define the stitches for the rose. Acrylic is a great, affordable alternative that’s widely available, soft, and easy to wash.
- Color Choices:
- Rose Color (e.g., Red, Pink, Cream): Approx. 50-70 yards total.
- Leaf/Accent Green: Approx. 20-30 yards total.
- Granny Square Background Color(s): Approx. 180-250 yards total. You can use one color for all the “square” rounds of your granny squares, or vary them for a multi-color look.
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm. This hook size is generally good for worsted weight yarn, producing a sturdy fabric for your bag.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose yarn tails and for joining the granny squares. It has a blunt tip and a large eye.
- Scissors: Any sharp pair of scissors.
- Stitch Markers (Optional): Handy for marking corners or specific stitches if you’re new to granny squares.
Part 1: How to Crochet a Rose Granny Square
The star of your handbag! This square combines a simple layered rose with a classic granny square border. You will need a total of 9 squares for the main body of the bag.
Let’s Crochet a Rose Granny Square!
A. The Rose (Inner Flower – Rose Color)
This part builds the layered petals of the rose.
- Starting the Rose (Magic Ring Method – Recommended for neat center):
- Make a Magic Ring (MR) with your Rose Color yarn.
- (Alternative start): Chain 4, then slip stitch (sl st) into the first chain to form a ring.
- Round 1 (Flower Center):
- Chain 1 (ch 1 – does NOT count as a stitch). Work 10 single crochet (sc) stitches into the magic ring.
- Gently pull the tail of the magic ring tight to close the center hole.
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the first sc to join the round. (10 sc)
- Round 2 (First Petal Layer):
- Chain 1.
- *Work 2 hdc (half double crochet) into the next stitch. Sl st into the next stitch.*
- Repeat from * to * around the entire round. You’ll make 5 small petal bumps.
- Fasten off Rose Color, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail.
- Round 3 (Second Petal Layer):
- Join Rose Color with a slip stitch (sl st) into the back loop only (BLO) of any stitch from Round 1. (This creates a new set of loops to work into, behind the first petal layer).
- Chain 2 (ch 2 – does NOT count as a stitch).
- *Work 3 dc (double crochet) into the same BLO stitch. Sl st into the BLO of the next stitch.*
- Repeat from * to * around. You’ll make 5 slightly larger petal bumps.
- Fasten off Rose Color, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail.
- Round 4 (Third Petal Layer):
- Join Rose Color with a slip stitch (sl st) into the back loop only (BLO) of any stitch from Round 1 that you did not work into for Round 3. (You’ll be working in the remaining 5 BLO stitches from Round 1).
- Chain 2 (does NOT count as a stitch).
- *Work (hdc, 2 tr, hdc) into the same BLO stitch. Sl st into the BLO of the next stitch.*
- Repeat from * to * around. You’ll make 5 largest petals.
- Fasten off Rose Color, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail.
- Gently push and shape your petals to create a 3D rose effect.
B. The Leaf/Green Layer (Green Yarn)
This forms the green accent behind the rose.
- Joining Green Yarn:
- Turn your rose to the back side. You’ll see the unused loops from Round 2 (the ones you worked BLO into for Round 3).
- Join Green yarn with a slip stitch (sl st) into any of these unused back loops from Round 2.
- Round 5 (Creating Green Corners):
- Chain 2 (ch 2 – counts as 1 hdc). Work 1 hdc in the same stitch.
- Work 1 hdc into the next 2 stitches.
- Work (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) into the next stitch. (This is your first corner).
- Work 1 hdc into the next 3 stitches.
- Work (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) into the next stitch. (Second corner).
- Work 1 hdc into the next 3 stitches.
- Work (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) into the next stitch. (Third corner).
- Work 1 hdc into the next 3 stitches.
- Work (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) into the next stitch. (Fourth corner).
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the top of the beginning ch 2 to join.
- Fasten off Green yarn, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail. You’ve now formed a square shape with the green.
C. The Granny Square Border (Background Color)
This transforms your flower into a full granny square.
- Joining Background Color:
- Join your Background Color yarn with a slip stitch (sl st) into any chain-2 corner space from the green Round 5.
- Round 6 (First Granny Round):
- Chain 3 (ch 3 – counts as your first dc). Work 2 dc into the same corner space. (First cluster).
- Chain 2 (ch 2 – corner space).
- Work 3 dc into the same corner space. (Completes first corner).
- *Chain 1 (ch 1 – side space).
- Work 3 dc into the next space between the hdc clusters from the green round. (This is a side cluster).
- Chain 1.
- In the next chain-2 corner space: Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).* (Completes a corner).
- Repeat from * to * around the remaining two sides and corners.
- Chain 1 (for the last side space).
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the top of the beginning ch 3 to join the round.
- Fasten off Background Color, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail.
- Round 7 (Second Granny Round):
- Join Background Color (or a new color for the outer border) with a slip stitch (sl st) into any chain-2 corner space from Round 6.
- Chain 3 (ch 3 – counts as your first dc). Work 2 dc into the same corner space.
- Chain 2.
- Work 3 dc into the same corner space.
- *Chain 1.
- Work 3 dc into the next chain-1 space (from Round 6).
- Chain 1.
- Work 3 dc into the next chain-1 space.
- Chain 1.
- In the next chain-2 corner space: Work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).*
- Repeat from * to * around.
- Chain 1 (for the last side space).
- Slip stitch (sl st) into the top of the beginning ch 3 to join the round.
- Fasten off, leaving a 4-inch (10 cm) tail.
- Repeat!
- Make a total of 9 Rose Granny Squares following these steps.
- Weave in all ends for each square as you finish them. This is crucial for a tidy project!
Part 2: Assembling Your Rose Granny Square Handbag
Now for the exciting part: bringing your squares to life! A common layout for a handbag is a 3×3 grid, which you then fold and seam.
Bag Layout (for a 3×3 square handbag)
- Main Body: All 9 squares will form one large rectangular panel (3 squares wide x 3 squares tall). This panel will then be folded and seamed.
Joining the Squares: The Whip Stitch Method (Beginner-Friendly)
The whip stitch is a simple and effective way to seam crochet pieces together.
- Arrange Your Squares:
- Lay out your 9 squares on a flat surface in a 3×3 grid. This is your main bag panel. Decide which sides will face out (these will be the “right sides”).
- Seaming the Squares Together:
- Take two squares you want to join. Place them right sides facing each other (so the backs are facing out). Align the stitches along the edge you want to join.
- Cut a long piece of yarn (about 3 times the length of the edge you’re joining) in a color that matches your squares or a contrasting color for a design feature. Thread it onto your yarn needle.
- To whip stitch: Insert your needle from back to front through both loops of the first stitch/space on both squares. Pull the yarn through, leaving a tail to weave in later.
- Continue by inserting your needle from back to front through both loops of the next stitch/space on both squares. Pull the yarn through.
- Repeat this process, always going in the same direction, through both loops of each corresponding stitch/space along the edge. Keep your tension consistent but not too tight, or it will pucker.
- Continue joining all squares until you have one large 3×3 rectangular panel. You’ll join 3 squares horizontally in 3 rows, and then join those rows vertically.
- Folding and Seaming the Bag Body:
- Once your 3×3 panel is complete, fold the bottom row of squares up. Imagine your panel is (Row 1 / Row 2 / Row 3). You’ll fold Row 1 up to meet Row 3.
- Place the bottom edge of Row 1 onto the bottom edge of Row 3, with right sides facing each other.
- Using your yarn needle and whip stitch (or your preferred joining method), seam these two edges together. This creates the bottom seam of your bag.
- Now, fold the bag so the outer squares become the sides. Seam the two side edges together. You’ll essentially be seaming from the bottom corner up towards the top opening of the bag.
- Once all sides are seamed, turn the bag right side out. You now have a basic pouch!
Part 3: Adding the Handle
A simple crocheted handle will complete your handbag.
- Crocheting the Handle (with a matching or contrasting yarn):
- Decide how long you want your handle to be. For a handheld bag, Chain (ch) about 40-50. For a shoulder bag, chain much longer, perhaps ch 80-100.
- Row 1: Work 1 single crochet (sc) into the 2nd chain from your hook, and 1 sc into each chain across. (You’ll have one less sc than your starting chain).
- Row 2: Chain 1 (ch 1), turn your work. Work 1 sc into each sc across.
- Repeat Row 2 until your handle is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide (usually 2-3 rows total for sc).
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches / 30 cm) for attaching the handle.
- Attaching the Handle:
- Thread the long tail of your handle onto your yarn needle.
- Locate the top corners of your bag. You’ll attach one end of the handle to the inside top edge of one side of the bag, and the other end of the handle to the inside top edge of the opposite side.
- Fold the handle end over slightly and use your yarn needle to securely stitch it to the bag. Go through multiple times for strength, ensuring your stitches are neat and secure.
- Repeat for the other end of the handle, ensuring the handle isn’t twisted before you sew it down. Weave in any remaining tail securely.
Part 4: Final Finishing Touches
- Weave in ALL Remaining Ends:
- This is the most critical step for a professional-looking, durable bag. Double-check that all your loose yarn tails from joining the squares and attaching the handle are securely woven in.
- Optional: Bag Lining (for added durability and neatness):
- For a truly sturdy and long-lasting bag that won’t stretch out and will prevent small items from slipping through the granny square gaps, consider adding a fabric lining. This is a separate sewing step.
- Measure the finished dimensions of your crocheted bag. Cut fabric pieces slightly larger than your bag, sew them into a matching pouch, and then hand-stitch or machine-stitch it inside your crocheted bag.
- Optional: Buttons or Closures:
- For added security, you can sew on a magnetic snap or a large decorative button with a crocheted loop closure at the top center of your bag.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crocheted and assembled a beautiful and unique Rose Granny Square Handbag! This project is a fantastic way to showcase your creativity and craftsmanship. Enjoy carrying your handmade creation, or perhaps gift it to someone special!
