by Creating a “beautiful” crocheted handbag with three stripes is an excellent way to combine color, texture, and handmade charm into a stylish accessory. This tutorial will guide you through making a sturdy and elegant handbag with a subtle ribbed texture and evenly spaced stripes, ensuring a polished and luxurious finish.
How to Make a Beautiful Three-Stripe Crochet Handbag
Project Overview: This tutorial will guide you through crocheting a practical and stylish handbag featuring a lovely ribbed texture created with the single crochet in back loop only (sc BLO) stitch, accented with three distinct color stripes. You’ll learn how to execute clean, consistent color changes to achieve sharp stripes, resulting in a bag that’s both attractive and durable. Optional professional finishing elements like a fabric lining and magnetic snap are highly recommended to elevate its quality.
Skill Level: Intermediate (Requires comfortable knowledge of basic stitches, working in the round, precise and neat color changes, understanding stitch placement for texture, and willingness to add a fabric lining and hardware).
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
- Base: 12 inches (30 cm) long x 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide
- Height: 13 inches (33 cm) (excluding handles)
- Handle Drop: 10 inches (25 cm) (adjustable)
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn (Worsted Weight / Medium #4):
- Color A: Approx. 300-350 yards (275-320 meters) – For Base, first stripe, and repeating stripe
- Color B: Approx. 250-300 yards (230-275 meters) – For second stripe and repeating stripe
- Color C: Approx. 250-300 yards (230-275 meters) – For third stripe, repeating stripe, top edge, and handles
- Total Yarn: Approximately 800-950 yards (730-870 meters) of Mercerized Cotton or Sturdy Acrylic Yarn.
- Why these yarns? They provide excellent stitch definition, durability, and a clean finish crucial for a multi-color striped design.
- Crochet Hook:
- Size H/5.0mm (or the hook size that gives you a very dense, firm fabric for structure. Gauge is critical here).
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends and sewing handles.
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers: Essential for marking the beginning of rounds and increase points on the base.
- For the LUXURIOUS Finish (Highly Recommended!):
- Fabric for Lining: Approximately 1-1.5 yards (1-1.4 meters) of sturdy cotton, canvas, or similar woven fabric. Choose a color or subtle pattern that complements your three yarn colors.
- Sewing Machine (or Hand-Sewing Needle & Matching Thread): For creating the lining.
- Magnetic Snap Closure (1 set): For a secure bag closure.
- Interfacing (Optional): For a very stiff, structured lining (e.g., fusible fleece or Pellon Peltex).
- D-Rings (2 pieces, 1.5-2 inch / 3.8-5 cm, optional): For attaching a detachable shoulder strap.
Gauge (Crucial for Shape and Structure!):
With your H/5.0mm hook and chosen yarn, in single crochet in BLO (sc BLO):
- 15 sc BLO = 4 inches (10 cm)
- 16 rows sc BLO = 4 inches (10 cm)
Your fabric should be very dense and firm. If it feels loose or floppy, go down a hook size. If it’s too stiff and difficult to work, go up a hook size. Consistency is key for a well-shaped bag.
Abbreviations Used:
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase (work 2 stitches into the same st)
- sc BLO: single crochet in back loop only (insert hook into the back loop of the st only)
- st(s):: stitch(es)
- FO: fasten off
How to Make a Clean Color Change (Crucial for Stripes!):
When changing colors at the end of a round (in spiral rounds, this means when you’re working the last stitch before your stitch marker):
- Work the last stitch of the current round with the current color as normal, but stop when you have two loops left on your hook.
- Drop the current color.
- Pick up the new color, yarn over with the new color, and pull it through the two loops on your hook to complete the stitch.
- You have now successfully changed colors. Continue with the new color for the next round, starting with the first stitch after your stitch marker.
- Cut the old color yarn, leaving a 4-6 inch tail to weave in securely later.
Understanding Bag Construction and Stripe Pattern:
This tote bag is built in a practical, sturdy manner, with a repeating stripe pattern:
- Rectangular Base (Color A): A flat, firm foundation.
- Bag Body (Stripes): The sides are built upwards in continuous spiral rounds using
sc BLO. We will use a repeating 4-row stripe sequence:- 4 rows of Color A
- 4 rows of Color B
- 4 rows of Color C
- Repeat this sequence until desired height.
- Top Edge (Color C): Finished with the last color for a cohesive look.
- Handles (Color C): Matching the top color.
- Lining & Hardware: Optional, but highly recommended for luxury and functionality.
Let’s Start Crocheting Your Beautiful Three-Stripe Handbag!
Part 1: The Bag Base (Color A)
- With Color A, Ch 46.
- Round 1:
- Sc in the 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each of the next 43 chs.
- Inc (3 sc) in the last ch.
- Rotate your work to crochet along the other side of the starting chain.
- Sc in each of the next 43 chs.
- Inc (2 sc) in the very last ch (same as first sc of round).
- Sl st to the first sc to join. (Total: 92 sc).
- Place a stitch marker in the first sc of this round.
- Round 2:
- Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc in the same st.
- Sc in each of the next 44 sc.
- Inc (2 sc) in each of the next 2 sc.
- Sc in each of the next 45 sc.
- Inc (2 sc) in each of the next 2 sc.
- Sl st to the first sc to join. (Total: 96 sc).
- Move stitch marker to the first sc of this round.
- Round 3:
- Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc in the same st.
- Sc in each of the next 45 sc.
- (Sc in next sc, inc (2 sc) in next sc). Repeat from * to * 2 times.
- Sc in each of the next 46 sc.
- (Sc in next sc, inc (2 sc) in next sc). Repeat from * to * 2 times.
- Sl st to the first sc to join. (Total: 100 sc).
- Move stitch marker.
Your base should now be a flat rectangle, approx. 12 x 5 inches.
Part 2: Building the Bag Body (Three-Color Stripes)
We’ll work upwards in continuous rounds (spirals) using sc BLO for all body rounds.
- Round 4 (Starting the Sides – Color A):
- Work 1 sc in the BLO of each sc around. DO NOT SL ST TO JOIN. Simply continue working into the next stitch. Place a stitch marker in the first sc BLO of this round. (Total: 100 sc BLO).
- This round creates a sharp, defined edge for the base.
- Rounds 5 – 50 (or until desired height, approx. 13 inches):
- Continue working 1 sc BLO in each sc BLO around.
- Move your stitch marker up at the beginning of each round.
- Apply the 4-row stripe sequence:
- Rounds 4 – 7: Use Color A.
- Rounds 8 – 11: Use Color B. (Change color on the last stitch of Round 7).
- Rounds 12 – 15: Use Color C. (Change color on the last stitch of Round 11).
- Rounds 16 – 19: Use Color A. (Change color on the last stitch of Round 15).
- Continue this (A, B, C) 4-row stripe pattern until Round 49.
- For the very last stitch of Round 49 (the stitch right before your stitch marker), ensure you change color to Color C as this will be your final bag top edge and handle color.
- This will create 12 full sets of 3-color stripes (48 rounds total for stripes) on top of Round 4. Round 50 will be the first row of your final Color C block.
- Round 50 (Final Body Round – Color C): Continue working 1 sc BLO in each sc BLO around with Color C.
Part 3: Finishing the Top Edge (Color C)
After completing Round 50:
- Final Top Edge Round: Work 1 sc in the BLO of each sc BLO around.
- When you reach the stitch marker, work a sl st into the next stitch to make a seamless join.
- FO, leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave in the tail securely.
Part 4: Crocheted Handles (Color C)
We’ll make two identical sturdy straps using Color C.
- Make 2 Straps:
- Strap Base: Ch 66. (Approx. 18 inches long).
- Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each ch across. (Total: 65 sc). Ch 1, turn.
- Rows 2-5: Sc in each sc across. (Total: 65 sc). Ch 1, turn.
- FO, leaving a very long tail (at least 15-20 inches / 38-50 cm) for sewing the strap to the bag.
- Attach Handles to Bag:
- Positioning: Lay your bag flat. Place the strap ends on the top edge of the bag, about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in from the side edges. Ensure handles are perfectly symmetrical on both sides. Mark attachment points with stitch markers.
- Sewing: Thread the long yarn tail onto your yarn needle. Carefully sew each end of the strap to the top edge of the bag. Stitch through all layers of the strap and bag fabric multiple times in a rectangular pattern for maximum security. Go back and forth several times to create a strong attachment.
- Weave in any remaining tails securely on the inside of the bag.
Part 5: Optional (but Highly Recommended) Fabric Lining
This step is key to the bag’s structure and luxurious feel.
- Measure Your Bag:
- Width: Lay the bag flat and measure across its widest point (top opening).
- Height: Measure from the base to the top edge.
- Depth/Base: Measure the width and length of your crocheted base.
- Cut Fabric:
- Cut two pieces for the main body: Length = Bag height + 1.5 in (3.8 cm); Width = Bag width + 1 in (2.5 cm).
- Cut one piece for the bottom: Rectangle matching crocheted base dimensions + 0.5 in (1.25 cm) seam allowance all around.
- Optional Interfacing: Cut matching pieces of interfacing. Apply according to product instructions.
- Sew Lining:
- Sew the two body pieces together along their sides (right sides facing). Press seams open.
- Create “box corners” on the bottom of the body tube to match the depth of your bag’s base.
- Alternatively, sew the rectangular base piece to the bottom of the body tube (right sides facing). Press seam.
- Fold down the top edge of the lining by 1/2 inch (1.25 cm), press, then fold down another 1 inch (2.5 cm) and press to create a hem. Stitch this hem in place.
- Insert & Attach:
- Carefully insert the finished fabric lining into your crocheted bag. Smooth it inside.
- Hand-stitch the top hem of the lining to the inside top edge of your crocheted bag using small, neat stitches.
Part 6: Optional Closure (Magnetic Snap)
- Placement: Center the snap components on the lining, about 0.5-1 inch (1.25-2.5 cm) down from the top edge.
- Attach Snap: Sew the magnetic snap components onto the lining (usually before the lining is fully sewn into the bag). Follow the snap’s instructions for secure attachment.
Part 7: Final Finishing
- Weave in All Remaining Ends: This is crucial for a tidy, professional look, especially with multiple color changes. Take your time to weave all tails securely into the back of your work.
- Final Shaping: Gently stuff your bag to help it hold its shape. You can lightly mist it with water and allow it to air dry, or just let it settle with use.
Your beautiful, three-stripe crochet handbag is now complete! Enjoy your uniquely stylish and handmade accessory.
