Learn how to crochet a stylish raffia beach bag with our free, easy DIY tutorial. Perfect for summer days & market trips!
Get ready to add a touch of summery elegance to your wardrobe with this beautiful and practical raffia shoulder bag crochet pattern! Whether you’re heading to the beach, the farmer’s market, or simply running errands, this versatile bag is the perfect accessory. With its natural texture and lightweight feel, raffia yarn is an excellent choice for warm-weather projects.
This pattern is beginner-friendly, using basic crochet stitches and simple shaping techniques. If you’re new to crochet, don’t worry! I’ll guide you through each step with clear instructions and helpful tips.
Materials
- Raffia Yarn: I used paper raffia yarn for its lightweight feel and summery vibe. You can also use synthetic raffia or other lightweight yarns like cotton or linen. Choose a color that speaks to your style!
- Crochet Hook: A 5.5mm crochet hook is perfect for working with raffia yarn.
- Stitch Markers: These are optional but helpful for keeping track of your rows and stitches.
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends neatly.
Pattern Difficulty: Beginner
Techniques Used
- Chain stitch (ch): The foundational stitch in crochet.
- Single crochet (sc): A basic and versatile stitch.
- Half double crochet (hdc): Creates a slightly taller stitch than single crochet.
- Increase: Working two stitches into the same space to increase the stitch count.
- Decrease: Working two stitches together to decrease the stitch count.
Tips and Tricks
- Tension: Maintain even tension throughout your work for a neat appearance.
- Counting Stitches: Be sure to count your stitches carefully as you work, especially during the increasing round.
- Stitch Markers: It’s a good idea to use stitch markers at the beginning and end of the handle section, to help you keep track of where to work the handles.
- Experiment: Feel free to experiment with different colors, textures, and embellishments to personalize your bag!
Written Pattern : Crochet Bag
Base
- Magic Ring: Begin with a magic ring.
- Round 1: Chain 1 (does not count as a stitch), work 8 single crochet (sc) into the ring. Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the first sc. (8 stitches)
- Round 2: Chain 1, 2 sc in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (16 stitches)
- Round 3: Chain 1, sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st Repeat around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (24 stitches)
- Rounds 4-9: Chain 1, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (24 stitches in each round)
Body
- Rounds 10-13: Chain 1, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. ( 24 stitches in each round)
- Round 14: Chain 3 (counts as the first hdc), hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the first chain 3. (24 stitches)
- Rounds 15-27: Repeat Round 14. (24 stitches in each round)
Handles
- Row 1: Skip 6 stitches. Chain 1, sc in each of the next 12 stitches. Skip 6 stitches. Chain 1, sc in each of the last 6 stitches.
- Rows 2-3: Chain 1, sc in each st across.
Finishing
- Fasten off and weave in all ends.
- Attach handles of your choice! I recommend using a sturdy material like leather or faux leather for durability.
Shaping Explanation
- Base Increases: The increases in Round 3 are what create the circular shape of the bag’s base. By working two single crochet stitches into the same space, you’re effectively adding more stitches to the round, causing it to expand.
- Body Shaping: Rounds 4-13 are worked without any increases or decreases. This creates the straight sides of the bag.
Let’s Get Social!
If you enjoyed this pattern, I’d love to see your creations! Share your projects on Instagram with the hashtag #tubacrochet and follow me at https://www.instagram.com/tubacrochets?igsh=MW0wNjA2ZTcwbjUyMw==. You can also find me on TikTok at tiktok.com/@tubacrochet [invalid URL removed]. I love connecting with fellow crocheters!
Watch the Tutorial!
For a more visual guide, be sure to check out the step-by-step video tutorial on my YouTube channel, Lan y Artes Crochê: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWpx-OdbV9A
Conclusion
This raffia shoulder bag is a fun and rewarding project that you’ll be proud to carry all summer long. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions – happy crocheting!
