by This tutorial will guide you through creating a classic and stylish granny square bag. This project is a fantastic way to use up yarn scraps and create a truly unique accessory. We’ll cover everything from making the individual granny squares to joining them, adding a sturdy base, and finishing with handles.
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
This project is a great challenge if you’re comfortable with:
- Magic Ring (MR) / Adjustable Ring: For a neat, closed center.
- Chain (ch): The foundation of crochet.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining stitches and rounds neatly.
- Double Crochet (dc): The main stitch for granny squares.
- Joining Motifs: Connecting your granny squares together.
- Working a Base: Creating a sturdy foundation.
- Working Handles: Adding comfortable straps.
- Fastening Off and weaving in ends.
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
The finished size will depend on the size of your granny squares. For a medium-sized tote bag, your squares should measure about 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) per side.
- Bag Body: 12 inches (30 cm) wide by 12 inches (30 cm) tall.
- Handles: 20-24 inches (50-60 cm) long.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 300-400 yards (275-365 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Acrylic Yarn. This is a perfect project for using up scraps! You’ll need at least two colors.
- Crochet Hook: Size H/5.0mm.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in ends and sewing the bag together.
- Scissors: Any sharp pair for cutting your yarn.
- Stitch Markers (Optional): Helpful for marking corners and keeping your place.
Part 1: Making the Granny Squares
You will need to make 13 identical squares. The size of your squares is important because it will determine the size of your finished bag. We’ll use 12 for the bag’s body and one for the bottom.
For each square, follow these steps:
- Round 1 (Magic Ring):
- With your first color, create a Magic Ring (MR).
- Chain 3 (ch 3) (counts as your first dc).
- Work 2 double crochet (dc) stitches into the ring.
- Chain 2 (ch 2) (this creates your first corner space).
- *Work 3 dc into the ring. Chain 2 (ch 2).*
- Repeat from * to * two more times.
- Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning ch 3.
- Change to a new color on the last slip stitch of the round. (4 clusters of 3 dc, 4 corner spaces)
- Round 2:
- Chain 3 (ch 3) (counts as your first dc).
- Work 2 dc into the same corner space.
- Chain 1 (ch 1) (this creates a side space).
- In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
- Chain 1 (ch 1).
- In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
- Chain 1 (ch 1).
- In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
- Chain 1 (ch 1).
- In the first corner space (where you started), work 3 dc.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
- Change to a new color on the last slip stitch.
- Round 3:
- Chain 3 (ch 3).
- Work 2 dc into the same corner space.
- Chain 1 (ch 1).
- Work 3 dc into the next side space.
- Chain 1 (ch 1).
- In the next corner space, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc).
- Chain 1 (ch 1).
- Continue this pattern: 3 dc into each side space and (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into each corner space.
- Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3.
- Change to a new color on the last slip stitch.
- Repeat Round 3 until your squares measure about 4-5 inches on each side. You will need 13 squares total.
Part 2: Assembling the Bag
Once you have your 13 squares, it’s time to join them together to form the bag. We will use a simple whip stitch for a clean, durable seam.
- Arrange the Squares:
- Lay out 12 squares in a long row, 4 squares wide and 3 squares tall. This forms the front and back of the bag.
- Lay out the 13th square to be the bottom.
- Join the Front and Back:
- Using a yarn needle and a sturdy yarn (this will be your main color), lay two squares next to each other, wrong sides facing.
- Insert your needle into the corner stitch of both squares and begin a whip stitch, sewing through both loops of each stitch. This creates a clean, durable seam.
- Continue sewing down the side until you reach the next corner.
- Repeat this process to join all 12 squares into a large rectangle, 4 squares wide and 3 squares tall.
- Attach the Bottom:
- Fold your large rectangle in half to form the front and back of the bag.
- Align the bottom square (the 13th one) with the bottom edges of the folded rectangle.
- Whip stitch all four sides of the bottom square to the corresponding edges of the bag’s body. This will create a flat, solid base for your bag.
- Sew the Side Seams:
- Whip stitch the two side seams of the bag’s body closed, working from the bottom corners up to the top.
Part 3: Adding the Handles
Now you’ll create comfortable, integrated handles for your bag.
- Crochet the Handles (Make 2):
- With your main color, chain (ch) 60-70, or to your desired length.
- Row 1: Work 1 single crochet (sc) into the second chain from the hook and into each chain across.
- Row 2: Chain 1, turn. Work 1 sc into each stitch across.
- Fasten off both tails of yarn securely, leaving a long tail for sewing.
- Attach the Handles:
- Using your yarn needle and the long tail, sew the ends of a handle to the top inside edge of the bag, about 3-4 inches from the side seams.
- Repeat this on the other side for the second handle.
- Fasten off and weave in all tails.
Final Finishing Touches
- Weave in All Ends:
- Use your yarn needle to meticulously weave in all the yarn tails from your squares, the joining, and the handles. This is the most crucial step for a professional and durable finish.
- Weave the tails along existing stitches on the inside of the bag, changing direction to lock them in place.
- Blocking (Optional but Recommended):
- Gently mist the bag with cool water until it is damp.
- Stuff the bag lightly with towels or packing paper to help it hold its shape as it dries.
- Allow the bag to air dry completely and thoroughly in a well-ventilated area.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully crocheted a unique and stylish Granny Square Multicolor Bag! This project is a fantastic way to show off your creativity and make a one-of-a-kind accessory.
