Make a Fun Project Bag with my Free Pattern!

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Create your own stylish and practical crochet bag with this free crochet pattern! Learn how to make the outer crochet bag with a square bottom, add grommets, line the bag, add straps and a zipper. It’s perfect for carrying your crochet projects and yarn! My Project Bag combines yarn and fabric to create a durable bag you can take with you on the go!

My Fun Project Bag

I would like to thank Fabric Wholesale Direct for reaching out to me to ask me to try their yarn and for supplying the tools and materials I used to make My Fun Project Bag.

Find everything you need to make this project (except the hammer!) at Fabric Wholesale Direct.

The Yarn

The yarn I used to make this project bag is called Golden Coast Craft Yarn. I found it similar in texture, softness and durability to other Worsted Weight Yarns on the market (like Red Heart Super Saver) and it has an affordable price-point too.

This 100% Acrylic yarn is machine washable and it comes in 23 different colors. Each ball contains 7 oz (198 g) and 370 yds (338 m). I used less than 2 balls to complete this project.

You can see all the available colors of Golden Coast Craft yarn here. The blue color was consistent through the entire ball of yarn and there were zero knots or ties in the balls I used. Just one strand of yarn all the way through the ball.

At the time of this post, each ball could be purchased for $3.99 USD.

The Fabric

The fabric I selected for this project bag can be found at Fabric Wholesale Direct too. It is Bandana Print Broadcloth and currently it is available in 11 different colors.

This fabric is 100% cotton. The fabric width is 60 inches and it is 0.19 mm thick. The broadcloth is machine washable and can be tumble dried on low heat.

The color of the fabric was very bright and it was consistent from edge to edge. I love how it looks on the inside of the bag!

I received 1 yard of the fabric to work with for this project and it was more than enough to line the bag and make the straps.

At the time of this post, 1 yard of the fabric could be purchased for $5.99 USD.

The Grommets

For the project bag I wanted to add a bit of strength to the bag for the straps and I chose to use grommets to do this.

Fabric Wholesale Direct sent me a package of Dritz 3/8″ Rustproof Brass Grommets and a Dritz 3/8: Setter & Anvil 1T Grommet Tool.

These grommets were easy to put together with the grommet tool and came in a convenient package which included 8 grommets in total. I used 4 for my project.

At the time of this post, the grommet pack was available for $6.49 and the grommet tool was available for $5.99.

The Zipper

I wasn’t sure how large I was going to make my project bag when Fabric Wholesale Direct offered to send me supplies so I opted for a zipper that was larger than I needed because my Mother-in-Law (thank you Jackie!) had told me I could sew across the end of any zipper to make it the right size for a project.

For the project I chose the YKK #5 Aluminum Separating Zipper because I wanted ‘silver’ (aluminum) for the zipper color and I was pretty sure I’d need a zipper longer than 9-inches. It was a good thing I did because I ended up needing about 17-inches in total length for the bag!

At the time of this post, the zipper was available for $2.49.

In total the cost to make my project bag was approximately $28.94. I still have enough fabric and grommets left over to make more projects in the future… so to make a second bag I’d only need 2 balls of yarn and a zipper ($10.47) – so the cost to make 2 of these bags is less than $40.00!

I am pretty proud of my project bag. It was a challenge for me to make and design this bag because I am not good at sewing (I am the first to admit I am horrible at it!) – you will be able to see my terrible stitches in the one photo below (which thankfully are mostly hidden by the time we sew the outer bag to the zipper!).

My Fun Project Bag Crochet Pattern and Tutorial

Supplies

• Yarn: Fabric Wholesale Direct: Golden Coast Craft Yarn. Medium Weight Yarn [4]. 100% Acrylic Yarn. 7 oz (198 g) ;  370 yds (338 m). Care:  Machine wash cold. Hang to dry. Do not bleach. Do not iron.
• Fabric: Fabric Wholesale Direct: Bandana Print Broadcloth (Red)
• Crochet Hook: 5 mm (H)
• Color: 2 balls in Blue (Col. 21, Lot 2321)
• Scissors, Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle), Sewing Needle, Thread (red), sewing pins (x10) and a Stitch Marker (optional)
• Fabric Wholesale Direct Supplies: Dritz ⅜” Rustproof Brass Grommets (Nickel-Plated Brass) (4 grommets needed), Dritz ⅜” Setter & Anvil 1T Grommet Tool, #5 Aluminum 9/16” Tape Zipper (black) 30-inch length,

Difficulty Level

• Easy-Intermediate (because of the sewing)

Finished Size

• Bag approximately 17.75 inches wide X 14 inches tall (not including the straps).
• Base of bag approximately 10 inches wide X 7.5 inches tall

Gauge

• approximately 12 stitches per 3 inches, 8 rows per 3 inches

You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size of your project will also be different.

Abbreviations

US Terminology used

• ch – chain 
• dc – double crochet
• g- grams
• m – meters
• oz – ounces
• R – row
• RS – right side
• rem – remaining
• sk – skip
• st/sts – stitch/stitches
• yds – yards
• * to **– Repeat the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.
• [] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches
• () – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch, or space

Helpful Tutorials

• Crochet Stitch Guide 

Notes:

• Stitch multiple: 3+2
• The sl st does not count as a stitch and we do not work into it.

How to Make My Fun Project Bag

This project bag is made of 2 panels that are joined together.

Using your 5 mm (H) crochet hook (or size required for gauge):

Make 2 

Main Panel 

R1: RS: Ch 78, sk the first ch, 1 sc in each rem st across, ch 1, turn. [76 sc]

R2: (1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the first sc, sk the next 2 sc. *(1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the next sc, sk the next 2 sc**. Work from * to ** across, to the last sc. 1 sc in the last sc, ch 1, turn. [26 sc, 25 dc, 25 ch1sp]

R3-R47: (1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the first sc, sk the next ch1sp and the next dc. *(1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the next sc, sk the next ch1sp and the next dc**. Work from * to ** across to the last sc. 1 sc in the last sc, ch 1, turn. [26 sc, 25 dc, 25 ch1sp]

Finish off and proceed to the Panel Base section below.

The panel is approximately 17.5 inches wide X 14 inches tall.

Panel Base

With the RS of the fabric facing and working into the remaining loops of the foundation chain (R1), count over 6 stitches and join your yarn with a sl st in the next st (the seventh stitch).

R1: (1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the first st, sk the next 2 sts. *(1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the first st, sk the next 2 sts**. Work from * to ** across until 7 sts rem in the row. 1 sc in the next st, sk the last 6 sts, ch 1, turn. [22 sc, 21 dc, 21 ch1sp]

R2-R5: (1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the first sc, sk the next ch1sp and the next dc. *(1 sc, ch 1, 1 dc) in the next sc, sk the next ch1sp and the next dc**. Work from * to ** across to the last sc. 1 sc in the last sc, ch 1, turn. [22 sc, 21 dc, 21 ch1sp]

The panel base adds approximately 3.75 inches in height to the main panel for a total height of 17.75 inches. 

Proceed to Finishing Instructions below.

Finishing Instructions for the Project Bag

• Weave in any ends.
• Place the two panels on top of each other with the RS facing inward. 
• Whipstitch with your yarn across the base of the bag to make the bottom seam. 
• Finish off.
• Unfold the bag so it is flat and the WS seam is facing upwards (see image A). 
• Fold the two corners inward to form a point (see image B).
• Whipstitch along the fold to create the bottom corner (see image C).
• Finish off and weave in ends.

• Continue whipstitching up the side edge of the bag to the top (see image D).
• Finish off and weave in ends.

• Repeat for the process of folding in the two corners to make a point, and whipstitching the corner and side of the bag, for the other side of the bag. 
• Finish off and weave in ends.

Proceed to How to Create a Fabric Bag Lining section below.

How to Create a Fabric Bag Lining

• Cut a piece of fabric measuring 18 inches wide X 32 inches tall (see image 1).
• Fold the fabric in half with the RS of the fabric facing inwards and sew a seam down each of the two side edges (approximately ¼ inch in from each side edge) (see image 2).
• Then mark the bag (see image 3) 1.5 inches up from the corner and in from the corner on each edge at the bottom of the bag. 
• Sew a line across these sections.
• Then cut the corners to shape the bottom of the bag (see image 4).

• Using a hot iron, fold the top edge of the Bag Lining over about ¼ inch and iron flat to create a crease (see image: iron 1).
• Now fold the top edge down (like a cuff) approximately 1.5 inches. Iron so it sits flat along the top of the Bag Lining (see image: iron 2).
• Seam all the way around the Bag Lining at the bottom of the fold, which keeps the rough edges hidden (where we ironed first).

Bag Straps

Make 2

• Cut a piece of fabric 50 inches long X 2.5 inches wide.
• Fold the fabric to create a ¼ inch seam on each long edge and press with a hot iron along the whole length and at each end (see image A1).
• Fold the fabric in half to create a 1-inch wide strap and press with a hot iron along the whole length.
• Sew along the open edge of the strap as close to the edge as you can and along the two ends.

Preparing the Zipper

• Place the zipper across the top of the bag lining to see how much of it you will need to use for your bag.
• Sew across the zipper multiple times to create your own zipper-end.
• You can cut the excess zipper off or tuck it inside the bag between the lining and the outer bag (where you can’t see it). I tucked mine inside but that step comes later!

Preparing the Project Bag for the Straps

This needs to be done on both sides of the bag:

• Measure across to the center point on the top of the bag and mark it with a center pin (see image B1).
• Measure over 2.5 inches on each side of the center point and place pins to mark your spots (see image B1).
• Measure down 7 inches from each of the 2.5 inch pins spots. Mark these 2 spots with pins (see image B2). This is where we will place our grommets.

Adding Grommets

Here’s a quick video to show you how.

The grommets only go through the crocheted outer bag.

Reinforcing the Straps

• Place the lining inside the crocheted bag.

This needs to be done on both sides of the bag:

• Measure across to the center point on the top of the lining and mark it with a center pin (see image C1).
• Measure over 2.5 inches on each side of the center point and place pins to mark your spots (see image C1).
• Measure down 6 inches from each of the 2.5 inch pins spots. Mark these 2 spots with pins (see image C2).
• Feed the strap through the grommet in the crocheted bag from the front (crocheted side) to the inside lining and pin the strap on the lining at the 2.5 inch mark, down to the 6 inch mark. You will need to fold the crocheted bag down to do this because you are sewing the strap to the lining while it is fed through the grommets to the outside of the bag.
• Repeat this for the other grommet.
• Sew the straps to the lining from the ends of the strap (which are at the top of the lining) to the 6 inch mark on the lining (closest to the grommet on the outer bag). This will give the strap extra strength and stop it from stretching the crochet fabric.

Adding the Zipper

• Pin the zipper to the liner (see image D1).
• Sew the zipper to the liner with your sewing needle and sewing thread (see image D2).

Sew the Outer Bag to the Zipper

• Line up the center pin on the outer bag and the lining. If you removed the pin on the lining just measure over from the strap’s inner edge 2.5 inches (this will be midway between your 2 straps).
• Sew the outer bag to the zipper (see image D3) using your yarn and tapestry needle.
• Finish off and weave in any remaining yarn ends.

Final Step

• With your red sewing thread and sewing needle, sew the strap to the outer fabric bag and through to the inner fabric lining across the top edge (at the zippers edge).
• Weave in ends.

…and you’re done making your practical crochet bag!

Did you remember to make your Ravelry Project Page? (How to Make a Ravelry Project Page.)

Make your project page on Ravelry for My Fun Project Bag here

You can learn more about Fabric Wholesale Direct on their website, @fabricwholesaledirect on Instagram and @fabricwholesaledirect on Facebook.

You may also enjoy these posts:

• Easy Crochet Zipper Pouch
• Tropical Paradise Crossbody Bag
• My Go To Bag

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Unleash your inner crafter with my FREE crochet pattern for a chic and practical Project Bag 🧶✂️! Perfect for stashing your yarn and projects, this DIY bag is a fusion of textures with a fabric lining for durability. From crafting a square bottom to adding grommets, straps, and a zipper – we’ve got it all covered. Why buy when you can create? #CrochetYourOwnBag #DIYCrochetBag #UnleashCreativity

Get hooked on this DIY crochet project! 😍 Unleash your creativity and create your own custom bag 🧶 Perfect for all your yarn-stashing needs, and stylish too! Let’s stitch ‘n style together 👜 #DIYCrochetBag #StitchStyle

Discover the artistry of creating your own custom crochet bag using my free pattern! This pattern and tutorial will walk you through each step, from crafting a square-bottomed outer bag to the addition of stylish, practical elements like grommets, liners, straps, and a zipper. Ideal for toting your crochet projects and yarn, this unique DIY bag combines the beauty of yarn and fabric to deliver durability and style. Embrace the satisfaction of creating a fashionable, functional tote you’ll love to carry wherever you go.

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