DIY Crochet Bag Tutorial

The bag body is made in one piece, starting with the base. You will add a row of single crochet around the edge of the base, then work in the round up the sides. The flap is then worked back and forth in rows. The shoulder strap and buckle straps are made separately in contrasting yarn and sewn on at the end.

You will need:
approx 180 yards / 160cm of heavy worsted yarn (I used 2 skeins of Savanna by GGH)
1 skein of yarn in a contrasting colour for the straps (I used Vanna's Choice by Lion's Brand)
2 buckles (I bought a couple of dirt cheap cat collars and removed the buckles)
US size K 10.5 hook (6.50mm)
US size I 9 hook (5.50mm)
Yarn needle

Abbreviations used (nb. I'm using the American stitch terms):
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
fpdc = front post double crochet (a search on the 'net shows lots of great tutorials for this easy stitch - it's the same as a dc, but you put the hook behind the 'post' of the stitch)
sl st = slip stitch
rep = repeat

gauge: 30sc = 8" or 20cm
finished bag measures approximately 8" x 2½" x 5½" or 21cm x 6cm x 15cm

BAG BASE:
Row 1: (Using the larger size K hook) ch 30
Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in second ch from hook and each ch across =30sc
Rows 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc across
Rows 4-10: rep row 3
At the end of row 10 you will work down the side of the piece (ie. along the short side of the rectangle), and then around the first edge (row 1) and then up the other side:

Turning the corner, sc in last sc of row 10 again (marked ** on picture), then sc in each of the gaps (marked *) down the edge (9sc). Turn the corner, sc in each of the ch of row 1 (30sc). Turn the corner, sc up the remaining edge (9sc).

BAG SIDES (worked in the round):
Round 1: sc in the back loop (furthest loop from you of the two top loops that make a single chain) of each sc all the way around = 78sc

Round 2: (switch to smaller size I hook) dc in each sc all the way around = 78dc
Round 3: fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9dc, fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9dc (the fpdc are at each of the corners of the bag)
Rounds 4 - 13: rep round 3
Round 14: fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in next 9 dc, fpdc, dc in next 28dc, fpdc, dc in nect 8dc, sl st in last dc

BAG FLAP (worked back and forth in rows):
Row 1: ch 3, (continuing along the long edge of the bag) dc in next 29 dc
Row 2: ch 3 for turning chain, dc in next 29 dc
Rows 3 - 11: rep row 2

I then did a row of sc down the side of the flap, around the top of the bag and up the other side of the flap and along the top of the flap. This gives it a nice neat edge, but isn't necessary.

In contrasting yarn:
SHOULDER STRAP:
Row 1: ch 200
Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch
Rows 3 - 8: rep row 2
Sew strap on outside of bag using the yarn.

BUCKLE STRAPS (nb. The inside edge of my buckle was equal to 3 rows of crochet. You may need fewer or more rows, depending on the width of your buckle) :
Make 2:
Row 1: ch 10
Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch
Row 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc.
Sew buckle onto the end of this strap.

Make 2:
Row 1: ch 21
Row 2: ch 1 to turn, sc in each ch
Row 3: ch 1 to turn, sc in each sc

Sew the 2 straps attached to the buckle onto the front of the bag, then (making sure that they are in line with the buckles) sew the longer straps onto the flap of the bag (use the picture as a guide)

You're finished. As modelled by a pyjama-clad kid in a garden that needs raking:

Wow, it seems a lot more complicated when you're writing out every step, but it's not a hard bag to make.

Translation of the day:
UK English: purse = small coin purse (feminine version of a wallet) in US English
UK English: handbag = purse, handbag or (apparently) pocketbook in US English.

I had to look pocketbook up after reading that word the other day. I had no clue what was being referred to, but guessed that they weren't talking about a paperback book. Is it in common usage over here?