👜 How to Crochet a Multicolor Striped Handbag – Full Tutorial

This sounds like a fun and rewarding project! Here’s a detailed tutorial on how to crochet a multicolor striped handbag. This guide will help you create a stylish and sturdy bag with a beautiful striped pattern.

How to Crochet a Multicolor Striped Handbag

This tutorial will show you how to create a compact yet spacious handbag, perfect for your essentials. The “striped” effect comes from changing colors every few rounds, resulting in clear, eye-catching horizontal bands.

Skill Level: Intermediate

You’ll be comfortable with:

• Basic crochet stitches (chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet).
• Working in joined rounds.
• Creating a flat oval base.
• Working straight sides.
• Performing clean color changes.

Finished Handbag Dimensions (Approximate):

• Width (flat): 10 inches (25 cm)
• Height (without handles): 8 inches (20 cm)
• Handle Drop: 6 inches (15 cm)

Materials You’ll Need:

• Yarn:
  • Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton or Cotton Blend Yarn: This type of yarn is highly recommended for handbags due to its durability and ability to hold shape. Avoid overly stretchy or flimsy yarns.
  • Total Yarn: Approximately 300-400 yards (275-365 meters).
  • Colors: Choose 3-4 contrasting or complementary colors. Planning your stripe sequence in advance can be helpful!
    • Color A (Main Bag Color/Base): Approx. 150-200 yards.
    • Color B, C, D (Stripe Colors): Approx. 50-70 yards each.
• Crochet Hook:
  • Size G/4.0mm or H/5.0mm: Choose the hook size that helps you achieve a firm, dense fabric. A tighter gauge is generally better for bags to ensure they don’t stretch out when filled.
• Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for seamlessly weaving in all your loose ends.
• Scissors
• Stitch Markers (Recommended): Helpful for marking the beginning of rounds and corner stitches on the base.

Gauge (Important for Consistent Size!):

Maintaining a consistent gauge is vital for your handbag to achieve the intended size and shape.

• For the main body (single crochet stitches): 16 single crochet stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) using a G/4.0mm hook. Adjust your hook size if necessary to meet this gauge.

Abbreviations Used:

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• st(s): stitch(es)
• inc: increase (work 2 stitches into the same stitch)
• BLO: back loop only
• FO: fasten off
• (\ ): repeat instructions within parentheses a specified number of times.
• [ ]: indicates the total number of stitches at the end of a round.

Understanding Multicolor Striped Handbag Construction:

This handbag will be built in a few key parts:

1. Flat Oval Base: Creates a sturdy foundation for your bag.
2. Upright Sides (Striped): The main body of the bag, worked in joined rounds with regular color changes to create horizontal stripes.
3. Top Edging: Reinforces the bag’s opening.
4. Handles: Sturdy crocheted handles integrated into the top.

How to Make a Clean Color Change in Joined Rounds:

This method is crucial for making your stripes look crisp and professional.

1. Work the last stitch of the round with your current color as you normally would, but stop when you have two loops left on your hook.
2. Drop the current color.
3. Pick up your new color, yarn over with the new color, and pull it through the remaining two loops on your hook to complete the stitch.
4. Now, using the new color, slip stitch into the first stitch of the round to join.
5. Always cut the old color yarn, leaving a 4-6 inch tail. These tails will be neatly woven in later. For a small bag, it’s best not to carry yarn up the inside, as it can add bulk or show through lighter colored stitches.

Let’s Start Crocheting Your Multicolor Striped Handbag!

Part 1: Base of the Handbag (Color A)

We’ll begin by creating a sturdy, flat oval base for your bag.

1. With Color A, chain 26.
2. Round 1: Single crochet (sc) in the 2nd chain from your hook. Sc in the next 23 chains. Work 3 sc in the very last chain. (Now working down the other side of your starting chain). Sc in the next 23 chains. Work 2 sc in the very last chain (this is the same chain as your first sc of the round). Slip stitch (sl st) to the first sc to join. [52 stitches]
   • Tip: Place stitch markers in the middle stitch of the 3-sc group at each end of the oval. These will be your “corner” stitches where you’ll make increases in subsequent rounds to maintain the oval shape.
3. Round 2: Chain 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc in the same stitch as your join. Sc in the next 22 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch (your old corner). Sc in the next 23 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch (your other old corner). Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [56 stitches]
   • Remember to move your stitch markers to the middle stitch of each new 3-sc group.
4. Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in the next 23 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the next 25 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [60 stitches]
   • Move stitch markers.
5. Round 4: Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in the next 24 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the next 27 stitches. Work 3 sc in the marked stitch. Sc in the last 2 stitches. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
   • Your base should now measure approximately 9-10 inches long and 3-4 inches wide.
   • Perform a clean color change to Color B for the next round. Cut Color A, leaving a 6-inch tail for weaving.

Part 2: Body of the Handbag (Striped – Alternating Colors)

Now, we’ll start working straight up to form the walls of the handbag. We’ll change colors every two rounds to create clear, horizontal stripes.

Important for all Body Rounds: When working Round 5, crochet into the back loop only (BLO) of the stitches from Round 4. This creates a defined edge for the base and helps the sides stand up straight. For all subsequent body rounds (from Round 6 onwards), work through both loops as normal.

1. Round 5 (Color B): Ch 1 (does NOT count as a stitch). Sc in the BLO of the same stitch as your join. Sc in the BLO of each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
   • Perform a clean color change to Color C. Cut Color B, leaving a 6-inch tail.
2. Round 6 (Color C): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch as join. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
3. Round 7 (Color C): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
   • Perform a clean color change to Color D. Cut Color C, leaving a 6-inch tail.
4. Round 8 (Color D): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
5. Round 9 (Color D): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
   • Perform a clean color change to Color A. Cut Color D, leaving a 6-inch tail.

Continue Repeating Rounds (Customizing Height):

• Keep repeating the sequence of two rounds per color (Color A, then B, then C, etc.) until your bag reaches your desired height.
• For an 8-inch tall handbag, you’ll likely need approximately 30-35 rounds in total (including the base).
• Tip: It’s best to end your body section with Color A (or your primary color) for the last two rounds, as this will create a consistent look for the top edging.

Part 3: Top Edging (Color A)

This section creates a sturdy, finished rim for the opening of your handbag.

1. Round (Final Body Color, e.g., Color A): Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. [64 stitches]
   • If you’re not already using Color A for this round, perform a clean color change to Color A. DO NOT CUT this color, as you’ll use it for the next edging rounds and handles.
2. Round (Top Edging 1): Ch 1. Half double crochet (hdc) in the same stitch. Hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first hdc to join. [64 hdc]
3. Round (Top Edging 2): Ch 1. Hdc in the same stitch. Hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to the first hdc to join. [64 hdc]
   • DO NOT CUT Color A yet, as you’ll use it for the handles.

Part 4: Handles (Color A)

You will make two identical handles, crocheted directly onto the top edge of your bag.

1. Handle Placement Preparation:
   • Lay your bag flat and ensure the side seams are aligned.
   • Using stitch markers, mark the precise placement for your handles. For a bag with 64 stitches around, a good handle placement could be:
     • Starting from any stitch on the side (or near a corner), count 10 stitches along the top edge, place a marker (this will be the start of your first handle attachment).
     • From that marker, count 12 stitches, place another marker (this is the end of the first handle attachment section).
     • Count the next 10 stitches, place a marker (this is the gap for the armhole).
     • From that marker, count 12 stitches, place another marker (this is the start of the second handle attachment section).
     • The remaining 20 stitches should meet the initial starting point (the second armhole gap).
2. Round (Handle Base):
   • With Color A, Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch as join and in the next 9 stitches (to the first marker). [10 sc]
   • Chain 30 (this creates the length of your first handle strap – adjust up or down for desired handle drop).
   • Skip the next 12 stitches along the bag’s top edge (this creates the opening for your hand).
   • Sc in the next 10 stitches (to the second marker). [10 sc]
   • Chain 30 (for your second handle strap).
   • Skip the last 12 stitches along the bag’s top edge.
   • Sl st to the first sc of the round to join.
3. Round (Handle Reinforcement 1):
   • Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch and in the next 9 stitches (working along the top edge of the bag).
   • Now, sc in each of the 30 chain stitches you just made (working along the top of your first handle chain).
   • Sc in the next 10 stitches (working along the bag’s top edge).
   • Sc in each of the 30 chain stitches for your second handle.
   • Sl st to the first sc to join. [80 sc total – (10+30+10+30)]
4. Round (Handle Reinforcement 2):
   • Ch 1. Sc in the same stitch. Sc in each stitch around (working along the bag edge stitches and then around the handle loops).
   • Sl st to the first sc to join. [80 sc]
   • FO, leaving a long tail for final weaving.

Part 5: Finishing Your Handbag

1. Weave in All Ends: This is the most time-consuming but absolutely crucial step for a professional-looking and durable bag. Methodically thread each yarn tail onto your yarn needle. Carefully weave them through several stitches on the inside of the bag, making them secure and invisible from the outside. Take your time with this step to prevent unraveling.
2. Shape: Gently shape your bag, ensuring the base is flat and the sides stand upright.
3. Optional: Add a Fabric Lining: For even greater durability, to prevent small items from potentially slipping through stitches, or to add inner pockets, consider sewing a fabric lining for your handbag. This is typically done after all crocheting is complete.

Your beautiful and functional Multicolor Striped Handbag is now complete! Enjoy carrying your fantastic handmade creation.

Tutorial Video