HOW TO CROCHET A GRANNY SQUARE BAG
Learn how to crochet a granny square bag with this free pattern and step-by-step tutorial. The complete free Summer Days Bag pattern is below or you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.
Have fun crocheting granny squares and create the perfect summer bag with me!
Say hi to the Sunny Days Crochet Bag! This crochet purse, which can be used as a tote bag, is your ultimate summer accessory. With its eye-catching granny square pattern and eco-friendly recycled cotton material, it not only stands out in style but also promotes sustainable fashion.
Sturdy and built to last, this bag offers ample space for all your essentials. And if you're someone who prefers an extra layer of security for your belongings, you have the option to easily add a lining inside. Whether you're packing for the beach, planning a picnic, or setting out for a shopping spree, this tote bag has got you covered. The best part? Even if you're new to crochet, crafting this bag is straightforward and rewarding.
Ready to make a splash this summer? Our crochet pattern is beginner-friendly, ensuring a fun and successful crafting experience. By carrying this purse, you're not just making a style statement; you're also showcasing your commitment to the environment and your impressive crafting skills. Let's dive into the sunny season with the multifunctional Sunny Days Crochet Bag!
More Dublin Bay Tutorials
Fourteen iconic granny squares come together harmoniously in this modern take to the timeless motif. A perfect quick and portable project, you’ll find the Summer Days Granny Square Bag just the right size for your summer essentials.
If you LOVE granny squares projects, don’t miss another FREE granny square project: Daisy Dreams Cardigan.
Granny Square Bag FAQs
What skills does it take to crochet this bag? Can a beginner do it?
In this pattern, you’ll get to practice working on the round to create a circular granny square, single crochet to attach the squares and weave in ends to create a clean finish. If you are a beginner, then this project is for YOU! And if you feel that reading a written pattern is a bit intimidating for you, I have a FULL video tutorial, showing you STEP-BY-STEP how to make this beautiful bag.
What yarn should I use to crochet a bag?
You can use any Cotton yarn to make this bag but if you want to create a sturdy fabric I recommend using the same yarn I’ve used for this project: Eco Barbante by Hoooked. This yarn stands out for its quality, softness, beauty and versatility. It consists of 85% recycled cotton and 15% other recycled fibers and is ideal for various types of decoration such as amigurumi, rugs, blankets, pillows, floor mats or handbags.
Can I change the size of the Summer Days Bag?
Yes! The easiest way to modify this granny square bag if by adding extra rounds to your granny squares before joining them together. This would mean repeating round 4 until you are happy with the size of your bag.
How do I keep my squares straight?
If your granny squares are slightly rounded or uneven, blocking them can help straighten them out before joining them together. Use t-pins to secure your squares to a blocking board or a piece of foam, then lightly mist them with steam from an iron and allow them to dry.
PRINT AND CROCHET OFFLINE!
Love to crochet on the couch? You can always find a low-cost printable PDF version of all my free patterns. Perfect for printing out or viewing offline on your tablet or phone. This beautifully formatted PDF includes the step-by-step pictures and it’s easy to read. I’ve also included a print-friendly version of the pattern so it is easier and cheaper to print! The printable pdf is a super useful upgrade that makes it even easier to crochet.
Materials
Any ARAN or Worsted yarn (I used Eco Barbante by Hoooked; Aran; 102 m per 100 gr ball; 85% recycled cotton, 15% other recycled fibers)
*Brick- colour A- 1 ball
* Blossom- colour B- 1 ball
*Spring- colour C- 1 ball
*Curry- colour D- 1 ball
*Almond- colour E- 1 ball
5 mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Scissors and Measuring Tape
Permissions + Copyright:
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back this post. Do NOT use our photos as your own sales photos.
TENSION:
One square measures 11 cm x 11 cm
Abbreviations American terms:
ch = chain
Ch-sp- Chain space
St/s- Stitch/es
Beg- Beginning
Rnd- Round
RS- Right side
WS- Wrong side
Sl st- Slip stitch
Sc- Single crochet
Hdc- Half double crochet
Dc- Double crochet
Dc2tog- Double crochet two together
Dc3tog- Double crochet three together
Special Stitches:
Dc2tog- Double crochet two together-(yarn over, insert hook into next stitch/space, yarn over and draw up loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops) 2 times, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Dc3tog- Double crochet 3 together (yarn over, insert hook into next stitch/space, yarn over and draw up loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops) 3 times, yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on hook.
Measurements:
These are the measurements in Inches:
WIDTH (A): 13”
LENGTH (B): 11”
HANDLES (C): 11”
Some Notes on this Pattern
Construction:
This bag is made up of 14 granny squares: 12 squares for the body and 2 squares for the base. The body is created by joining the 12 squares, 2 rows of six squares each, and creating a 'tube'. After your tube is created you join the two squares at the bottom to make the base of your bag.
A top border is then worked to give it a clean finish and the handles are worked straight to the bag without sewing.
Colourwork:
The granny squares are worked in four rounds and each round is worked in a different colour. You will work 7 squares using white and 7 squares using yellow for the last round.
For joining the squares together, white was used and yellow for the handles. You can also choose to make your bag in one colour only.
I would also recommend hiding the threads as you make each granny square.
Right side:
You always have the right side when working the squares as they are made in the round without turning at the end of each round. This bag is not reversible and you can add a lining in the inside, consider tightly tying yarn tails together and fastening off instead of weaving in ends.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Are you a beginner or need extra help with the pattern? You can follow along this step-by-step video tutorial I’ve created to help you create the perfect summer bag! :)
START HERE
Making the squares
Work each of the 14 squares as follow:
With 5mm crochet hook, start by making a magic ring.
With colour A
Rnd 1: 2 ch (does not count as a st here and throughout), work 12 dc into the ring, pull the yarn tail to close the ring and sl st to first dc. Fasten off. 12 dc
Rnd 2: Attach colour B to any dc from previous rnd, 2 ch, dc2tog (2 ch + dc2tog count as 1st dc3tog) into same space, [2 ch, dc3tog in next space] 11 times, 2 ch, 1 sl st on top of first dc2tog to close the round. Fasten off. 12 petals
Rnd 3: Attach colour C to any 2ch-sp from previous rnd, 3 ch (counts as 1st dc here and throughout), 2 dc in same ch-sp, *1 ch, 3 dc in next ch-sp, rep from * to end, 1 sl st on top of 3rd ch from intial 3 ch to close the round. Fasten off. 12 groups of 3 dc, separated by 1 ch.
Rnd 4: Attach colour D to any 1ch-sp from previous round, 3 ch, 2 dc in same ch-sp, 3 hdc in each of next two 2 ch-sps, [ (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in next ch-sp, 3 hdc in each of next two 2 ch-spaces] 3 times, 3 dc in last ch-space, 2 ch, 1 sl st on top of 3rd ch from intial 3 ch to close the round. Fasten off. Weave in all ends. 4 corner spaces separated by 2 groups of 3 hdc
making your bag
Lay out the squares as color-coded below or in your desired placement.
You will first join together all the horizontal rows, and then all the vertical ones. You will start from the middle left side and join the squares from left to right in order to keep the colour combination. There are 2 horizontal rows, and 5 vertical ones. After all the horizontal and vertical rows are joined, you are going to join the outer sides of the panel to create a tube. This tube is going to be the body of the bag. For the sample bag I have used colour E to join but you can use color D if you prefer.
Take first and second square from row 1 and 2 and holding RS together (the WS should be facing you), attach yarn through both ch-sps and work 1 ch (counts as 1st sc), after you attach the yarn you will turn them around to be able to crochet from right to left (this is done to keep the colour combination)
1 sc in next 11 sts (make sure you are pulling the hook through both squares to ensure you are joining them together), 1 sc through both ch-sps,
take the next pair of squares with RS facing together and lean them against the first two squares. Keeping them close together, work 1 sc in the ch-sp, 1 sc in next 11 sts, 1 sc in next ch-sp,
When you’ve joined the 2nd pair of squares, take the 3rd pair and repeat the previous steps until you have joined all squares.
You are now going to join the vertical rows. Take the next pair of squares with RS facing together and lean them against the first two squares. Attach yarn in ch-sp, 1 ch (counts as 1st sc) and keeping them close together, work 1 sc in next 11 sts, 1 hdc in next ch-sp before the join, 1 ch, 1 hdc in next ch-sp, 1 sc in next 11 sts, 1 sc in last ch-sp. Fasten off. Repeat this step until all the vertical rows are joined.
Once all your 12 squares are joined together, join the two outer sides together, using the same technique to create a tube.
Turn the 'tube' inside out in order to attach the base.
Join the remaining two squares together along the horizontal sides. Align them to the 2 front and back squares from the main body of the bag and sc along in order to join them to the tube you've created and to make up the base.
BORDER AND HANDLES
With right side facing, join color E to the half double crochet placed in the middle of the right side of your bag.
Rnd 1: 3 ch (counts as 1st dc), 1 dc in each stitch available around the bag, work 1 dc in each corner space and 1 dc in the join between the squares, 1 sl st on top of 3rd chain from initial 3 ch. Fasten off. You should have 90 dc in total
With colour D
Rnd 2: 1 ch (does not count a a st), 1 sc in same space, 1 sc in next 13 sts, 80 ch (this is going to be the handles of your bag), miss next 16 sts, 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in next 29 sts, 80 ch and miss next 16 sts, 1 sc in next 14 sts, 1 sl st on top of 1st sc of round. 58 sc
Rnd 3: 1 ch, 1 sc in same space, 1 sc in next 13 sts, 1 sc in next 80 ch from handle, 1 sc in next 30 sts, 1 sc in next 80 ch from 2nd handle, 1 sc in next 14 sts, 1 sl st on top of 1st sc of round. 218 sc
Rnd 4: 1 ch, 1 sc in same space, 1 sc in each st around, 1 sl st on top of 1st sc of round. Fasten off and weave in all ends. 218 sc
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