The Reel Deal Summer Bag is an easy crochet bag for beginners and is the perfect straw bag for summer. Raffia paper ribbon is used to crochet this crochet bag design. The bag is worked in the round in two pieces with a join as you go gusset. The crochet bag handle uses the Romanian cord technique for a strong and unique crochet strap. Keep scrolling for the Free crochet pattern.
The crochet stitches used to make this crochet bag tote are simple basic stitches perfect for a beginner. You will need to know the crochet magic ring, double crochet and a single crochet stitch. I have a beginner video tutorial you can watch if you need to refresh these crochet skills. Then go watch the crochet bag for beginners on YouTube.
Table of Contents
Crochet a Purse for Summer
The crochet bag for beginners will look great with everything in your summer wardrobe! It’s the perfect straw bag for summer. Use this straw bag for beach, or for the market. Wear with any outfit dressy or casual for a natural beachy vibe. The easy crochet bag pattern for beginners is written in Standard American terms and detailed pictures are included in the written PDF.
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Crochet Hook Needed
This easy crochet bag tote pattern calls for a US J/10 (6mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. I used the gorgeous Metal Streamline Hook from Furls Crochet – They should be back in stock in August 2022. I also recommend the Odyssey Hook. Make sure to use a strong hook when working with raffia.
Use code MJS15 for 15% off
The Yarn
I used Raffia Paper Ribbon to crochet the Reel Deal Summer Bag
Raffia Ribbon– Kraft Matte Paper Ribbon – 218 yds – Folded ribbon width: 1/4 inch; unfolded ribbon width: 1.5 inch
Exactly 1 roll used
Amazon US Link
Amazon CDN Link
Yarn Substitutes
2 strands of cotton yarn held together – Gauge may vary but sizing is not critical for this pattern
Dishie Cotton in Mushroom or Linen
Lily Sugar’N Cream in Jute or Overcast
2 Strands of Acrylic yarn held together – Gauge may vary but sizing is not critical for this pattern
Mary Maxim Best Value in Mocha or Cottonwood
Wool of the Andes Worsted in Almond, Camel Heather or Oyster Heather
Easy Crochet Bag for Beginners Crochet Pattern – The Reel Deal Summer Bag
Get the PDF on RAVELRY or ETSY
Crochet Purse Yarn Requirements:
Raffia Ribbon– Kraft Matte Paper Ribbon – 218 yds – Folded ribbon width: 1/4 inch; unfolded ribbon width: 1.5 inch
Exactly 1 roll used
Size Chart
Crochet Hook Requirements:
or size needed to obtain gauge
Metal Streamline or Odyssey recommended
use code MJS15 for 15% off Furls Hooks
Additional Supplies:
Gauge:
12 sts and 4.5 rows equal to 4″ in dc
Video:
Watch how to crochet bag for beginners on YouTube
Crochet Bag Tote Construction
The Bag is worked in the round in two pieces. The gusset is worked in rows and joined as you go to the back piece. The front is then slip stitched to the gusset. The Romanian cord technique is used to crochet the handles. The handles are seamed to the front and back of the bag. Step by step video tutorial is provided on our YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/xp1_B69Ym6g
Crochet Techniques
Reverse Sl St – Go through the stitch back to front, Keep working yarn to the front, YU (Yarn Under) pulling through the loop on the hook.
Crochet Magic Ring – See video Tutorial – https://youtu.be/QMZpO5-19hQ
The beautifully designed PDF pattern includes step-by-step picture instructions.
Abbreviations
Ch – Chain
Dc – Double Crochet
Pm – Place Marker
Rep – Repeat
Rev – Reverse
RS – Right Side
Sc – Single Crochet
Sk – Skip
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sp(s) – Space(s)
St(s) – Stitch(es)
This pattern is the sole property of MJ’s Off the Hook Designs. This pattern is copyright protected and cannot be copied or reproduced in any way. You are welcome to sell your finished items from this pattern. I require a reference or link for my design. My photos are copyright protected and are not to be used to sell your items.
Circular Piece Front & Back:
Round 1:
Magic Ring, ch 2 (not incl as a st here and throughout), work 12 dc in the ring, pull ring tight, rev sl st in the first dc to join—12 sts.
Round 2:
Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around, rev sl st in the first dc to join—24 sts.
Round 3:
Ch 2, work 1 dc in first st, 2 dc in next st, * 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around, rev sl st in the first dc to join—36 sts.
Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), * work 1 dc, ch 1 in next st; rep from * around, sl st in the third ch of ch 4 to join—36 sts and 36 ch-1 sps. The diameter should measure approx 7.25″.
Round 5: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each ch-1 sp around, rev sl st in the first dc to join—72 sts.
Round 6: Ch 2, work 1 dc in first 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, * 1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around, rev sl st in the first dc to join—90 sts.
Round 7: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around, sl st in the first sc to join—90 sts. The circle should measure approx. 11.5″.
Back – Without fastening off continue to the Gusset.
Front – Without fastening off continue to Mark Bag Opening
Gusset: Join as you go
Row 1: With back piece, ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, sk first st at the circle base, sl st in next 2 sts (base), turn—8 sts.
Row 2:
Sk sl sts, 1 sc in each st across, turn—8 sts.
Row 3: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st across, sl st in next 2 sts (base), turn—8 sts.
Rows 4- 64: Rep rows 2 & 3. The last row fasten off and weave in ends.
Mark Bag Opening
At the join of the front piece count over 26 sts and mark with a st marker. The 26 sts mark the opening of the bag.
Join the Bag
With RS facing line up the front bag opening with the back piece. With working yarn sl st the front to the gusset. Work through 64 sts of the front and every 64 rows of the gusset joining the bag. Fasten off and weave in ends. Turn the bag so that the RS is facing out.
Crochet Bag Handle: Make 2
The Romanian cord technique is used to crochet handle for crochet bag. Leave a starting and ending tail long enough to sew the straps to the bag.
#1 Ch 2, work 1 sc in the second ch from the hook.
#2 Turn to the left, work a sc by inserting the hook through the one loop, directly under the hook, yarn over and complete sc.
#3 Turn to the left, work a sc by inserting the hook through the two loops, directly under the hook, yarn over and complete sc.
Repeat step #3 until the cord is approximately 30″. If you run short on raffia make the handles shorter or attach only one handle to the sides of the gusset.
Attachment
With raffia tails from the handles sew to the third round of stitches at the circle halfway point. Sew approx. 2″ of the handle to the bag. Repeat for the front and the back of the bag.
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