This carousel crochet bag is perfect as a project bag or even as an everyday carry all. Its circular base means you can stash much more than you would think into it. Looks like a basket but when slouched over your shoulders, turns into a sort of hobo/slouch bag. Have fun choosing a button to customize it to your liking. And as you probably already know, I love to crochet bags, so be sure to check out other free patterns on the blog, like the Summer Festival Bag or the Mocha Sling Purse.
What you need
- 3 skeins of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in carousel colour for bag. I actually used a little over 2 skeins for this.
- 1 skein of Lion Brand 24/7 cotton in ecru colour for strap.
- 8 mm crochet hook (for bag)
- 3.5 mm crochet hook (for strap)
- tapestry needle
- 1.5 inch/38 mm button
- Ashland 0.2 inch/7 mm rope (available at Michaels)
Gauge
Not important!
Stitches Used (US terms)
mc – magic circle
sc – single crochet
sc inc – single crochet increase (two sc in one stitch)
sc flo – single crochet front loop only
hdc – half double crochet
ch – chain
The Pattern
Note: Bag is worked in a continuous spiral.
Rnd 1 (with 8 mm hook and wool ease) in a magic circle, work 6 sc (6 sc).
Rnd 2 work 2 sc in each sc (12 sc).
Rnd 3 [1 inc, 1 sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4 [1 inc, 2 sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5 [1 inc, 3 sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6 [1 inc, 4 sc] 6 times (36).
Rnd 7 [1 inc, 5 sc] 6 times (42).
Rnd 8 [6 sc, 1 inc] 6 times (48).
Rnd 9 [1 inc, 7 sc] 6 times (54).
Rnd 10 [4 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc] 6 times (60).
Rnd 11 [9 sc, 1 inc] 6 times (66).
Rnd 12 [5 sc, 1 inc, 5 sc] 6 times (72).
Rnd 13 sc around (72).
Rnd 14-29 hdc around (72 hdc).
Do not fasten off yet. This is where the flap is made. If you want your bag to be a little taller, continue working rounds until you are satisfied with height. If not, continue with instructions.
Row 1 ch 1, sc in next 18 hdc.
Row 2 ch 1, turn, sc across (18).
Row 3 ch 1, turn, sc flo (front loop only) (18).
Row 4-8 ch 1, turn, sc across (18).
Row 9 ch 1, turn sc until last two stitches, then sc dec (16).
Row 10-11 repeat row 9 (14,12).
Row 12 ch 1, turn, sc in same space and in next 4. Ch 2, skip next 2 stitches, sc in last 5 stitches (this is the button hole) (10).
Row 13 ch 1, turn, sc across (2 sc in ch 2 space). Fasten off.
Strap
For the strap, I followed the wonderful tutorial by All About Ami. However, to secure the cord in the strap, I did not whip stitch the sides closed, but single crocheted it closed. I placed the strap at each end of the bag and about 2 rows down from the top. Then, with the 24/7 cotton and a tapestry needle, I sewed around the rectangle to secure the strap to the bag.
Button Closure
Using the 24/7 cotton and a tapestry needle, I sewed the button about 6 rows down from the top.
Weave in any loose ends and you are done! I’d love to see any Carousel Crochet Bag that you create, so @loopvloop or #loopvloop me on Instagram or Twitter.
