One of my favorite things to crochet are purses or bags! They are always quick and easy crochet patterns that give you a super cute accessory to wear wherever you go. This week, my guest blogger Corey of Alex and Co Handmade, is sharing her latest free crochet bag pattern the Everyday Boho Bag. This adorable crochet fringe bag is a great crochet bag pattern for beginners, and looks great with any outfit. You can make it in a wide range of colors, and still get the fun crochet boho purse that is so popular. I’m so excited to share this modern free crochet shoulder bag pattern, and see what fun combinations you make! So, with that, I’ll hand it off to Corey with her Everyday Boho Bag pattern!
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Hey there! I’m Corey of Alex and Co Handmade, previously C.S. Handmade Crafts. When I first learned to crochet at the age of 13 in my junior high arts class I absolutely hated it. It didn’t make any sense to me and I failed every single one of my crochet projects that semester. It’s hilarious now because I can’t seem to put the hook down. Eventually I retaught myself in high school and had an on/off relationship with it for a while. Then in 2016 I was blessed with my son Alex, who is the Alex in my business name. When he was born I needed something to occupy myself while I was a stay at home mom so I picked my hook back up. I fell in love with the craft that time around and haven’t been able to put the hook down since. Then I stumbled upon this “little” maker community and have grown so much in the last couple of years. I was inspired to turn this little hobby of mine into a business so I started my Etsy shop, built a website, and designed my first garment pattern, The Summer Ivy Cardi, last spring. Now I’m trying to design more and get more involved with markets and selling finished items. I just love playing with yarn so being able to make something out of a passion of mine is exciting and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
The Everyday Boho Bag is a simple yet chic purse that’s oh so fun to wear. Going out for the night? This bag is big enough for your phone, wallet, lipgloss, keys, and a few other essentials to help you rock the night. Or heading to brunch with the girls? Whatever the occasion this bag is the perfect accessory for your outfit.
The Everyday Boho Bag is a quick beginner friendly pattern. There’s nothing super fancy to it just simple single crochet stitches and working in the round for the body. To decrease the front flap and make the diagonal shape I used short rows. Don’t worry if you’ve never crocheted short rows before they’re super easy. Short rows are when you stop stitching and turn your work before you’ve finished working the last few stitches of your row. It’s just a drastic way to shape or decrease your work. I’ve got plenty of pictures to help you out if needed.
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I used Lion Brand Yarn’s Rewind Tape yarn to create this beauty which is perfect for projects like this. Its super soft but doesn’t fuzz. When worked up its stiff enough to hold its shape. Seriously it’s the perfect yarn for bags! I used less than 2 skeins for the whole bag INCLUDING fringe. I double stranded the yarn to give the bag some extra structure. Don’t worry if you don’t have any Rewind tape yarn because this can easily be made with any yarn you have on hand. One of the ladies who tested this pattern triple stranded Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend (a 3 weight yarn) and her bag came out perfect. Another tester used a single strand of Lion Brand’s Color Made Easy (a 5 weight yarn) and hers came out perfect as well. So really as long as your measurements are matching mine you can use any yarn. You’ll need some hardware like a purse chain or strap of some sort (there’s so many options on Amazon!) and eyelets to attach your purse chain. This bag is totally customizable! Between the color options, adding stripes or not, fringe or no fringe, adding beads to your fringe, purse chain or wrist strap, or crocheting your strap (there are so many different ways out there to crochet it!). The detail options are virtually endless! Just have fun with it and make it yours! So let’s get started with the making.
In English (US) terms
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Using your 6.5 mm hook, CH 17.
Round 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and each of the next 14 CHs. 4 SC in the last CH working your way around to the other side of the foundation CH, SC in the next 14 CHs, 3 SC in the last CH. Sl st to beginning SC. [ 36 SC sts ]
Round 2: CH 1. 2 SC in the 1st SC, 1 SC in the next 14 sts. 2 SC in each of the next 4 sts. 1 SC in next 14 sts, 2 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Sl st to beginning SC. [ 44 SC sts ]
Round 3: CH 1. SC in 1st st, 2 SC in next st. SC in next 15 sts, 2 SC in next st, * 1 SC in next st, 2 SC in the next st. Repeat from * 2 more times. SC in next 15 sts, 2 SC in next st. * 1 SC in next st, 2 SC in the next st. Repeat from * once more. Sl st to the beginning SC. [ 52 SC sts ]
Round 4: CH 1. 1 SC in the next 2 sts, 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next 16 sts, 2 SC in next st, * 1 SC in next 2 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * 2 more times. 1 SC in next 16 sts , 2 SC in next st. * 1 SC in next 2 sts, 2 SC in next st. Repeat from * once more. Sl st to the beginning SC. [60 SC sts.]
At this point the base of your bag should measure 8 inches long and 2.5 inches wide.
Round 5: CH 1. For this round only, SC in the back loop of each st around. Sl st to the beginning SC. [60 SC sts.]
Round 6-24: CH 1. SC in each st around. Slp st to the beginning SC. [60 SC sts.] Cut yarn and pull tail through the st to finish off.
At this point your work should measure 7 inches long from the base of the bag with your work laying flat.
You’ll need 2 of your stitch markers. Place one SM in the 32nd st and the other SM in the 2nd to the last st of the round. Attach yarn with a SC to the 32nd st.
Row 1: SC in each st across to the next SM, placing the last st in the marked st. [28 SC sts.]
Row 2-12: CH 1 and turn. SC in each st across. [28 SC sts.]
Row 13: CH 1 and turn. SC in next 25 sts. SC2tog the next 2 sts. Don’t work the last st. [26 SC sts.]
Row 14: CH 1 and turn. Skip the 1st st, SC2tog the next 2 sts, SC in the next 23 sts. [24 SC sts.]
Row 15: CH 1 and turn. SC in next 21 sts. SC2tog the next 2 sts. Don’t work the last st. [22 SC sts.]
Row 16: CH 1 and turn. Skip the 1st st, SC2tog the next 2 sts, SC in next 19 sts. [20 SC sts.]
Row 17-24: Repeat Rows 13 and 14 until you have 4 SC sts left.
Cut yarn and pull the tail through the st to finish off. Weave in all your ends.
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Pictures and instructions on how to add the fringe and hardware are on the next page. If you don’t want to add hardware to your bag there’s quite a few great ways to crochet a strap for your bag. My favorite crochet purse strap that I’ve seen is this one by the Make and Do Crew blog. One of the awesome ladies who tested this pattern for me used this pattern to make her purse strap.
With an F/5 – 3.75 mm hook, CH 4. SC in the 2nd CH from the hook and the next 2 CH sts. [3 SC sts.]
Row 2: CH 1 and turn. SC in each st across. [3 SC sts.]
Repeat pattern until your work measures 47 inches for a crossbody length or for your desired length of strap. Cut yarn and pull the tail through. Then stitch on to the edge of your bag on either side of the front flap.
With my leftover yarn I cut 44 strands 16 inches long and used 2 strands for each stitch along the diagonal edge. Here’s a close up pic of where I placed my fringe. (Photo A) Then I trimmed the fringe just straight across using the bottom of my bag as a guide of how long I wanted it.
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If you’re using hardware, you’re going to insert your eyelets first. The green stitch markers are the stitches we worked into in Row 1 of the front flap. So you’ll place your eyelets 2 rows down and 1 stitch before the marked stitch. If your eyelets are not lining up right, just get it as close as you can. I kind of had to eyeball it a little bit. Here’s some pics to help you out with placement. Once you have the eyelets in you can attach your purse chain.
Once you have all your ends weaved in, your fringe added, and purse strap attached, you’re completely finished and ready to go rock your new bag! Congratulations friend!
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I would love to see your Everyday Boho Bag! You can tag me on Instagram @alexandco.hm and use the hashtag #everdaybohobag or #alexandcomakes. If you loved this pattern or have any questions or comments you can contact me via email [email protected], Facebook, or Instagram, I’d be more than happy to help you out! Get to know more about me on my Instagram and Facebook. My website is currently under construction but you can find more of my patterns and tutorials on my website www.alexandcohandmade.com and in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.
Happy stitching!
~Corey
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