We are getting into bag season and I know you know what I'm talking about! Spring Market Bags, Summer Beach Bags, Just Hanging Out Looking Cute Bags, Bottomless Pit for My Crap Bags, and the list goes on! I'm one of those people who easily gets bored with the same thing over and over. Right now I'm obsessed with making my Granny Square Bags but I was getting a little bored with making the same old strap over and over again. So-o-o-o-o-o, I came up with some new styles and I'm sharing them with you in hopes of adding a little more joy and fun back into your usual crochet bag making season. To be fair, you don't have to add these to a crochet bag, if you have another bag laying around and you want to mix up the straps, you can add one of these to it! Get creative, have fun, let me know if you enjoy these!
Supplies needed:
Worsted Weight Yarn (acrylic or cotton or a blend will all work)
Hook Size: I-9/5.50mm
Scissors
Measuring Tape (I make my crochet straps in a cross body style so my straps are made until they measure between 40-44"for most adults, keep in mind your yarn will stretch some.)
NOTE: You can use any yarn or hook, just make sure that you use the recommended hook size for the yarn you are using. I tried out lots of types of yarn and lots of hooks and the basic look is the same regardless of the combo.
Definitions:
st(s) = stitch(es)
CH = Chain
SLST = Slip Stitch
YO = Yarn Over
SC = Single Crochet
HDC = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
MBN = Modified Bean Stitch
Insert hook into st, YO and pull up a loop, YO, insert hook into same st, YO and pull up another loop, YO and pull through all 4 loops on your hook
Strap 1: Basic Bessy
Starting in one corner of your bag:
SLST to corner and CH2 (counts as your first DC), 4DC into same stitch where you started your chain (5)
CH1, TURN, 5DC across (5)
Repeat Step 2 until your strap measures the length you desire
CH1, TURN, YO and insert hook into first st, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook) then YO and pull through 2 loops, (2 loops on hook), *YO and insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops* (3 loops on hook), repeat * - * until you have 6 loops on your hook, YO and pull through all loops, SLST to fasten off. Leave a long yarn tail to attach this end to the other side of your bag. Weave in yarn tails.
Strap 2: Ladder for One
Starting in one corner of your bag:
SLST to corner and CH2 (counts as your first DC), 4DC into same stitch where you started your chain (5)
CH1, TURN, 5DC across (5)
TURN, CH5, skip first 4 DC sts, DC into last st (5CH, 1DC)
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until your strap measures your desired length
CH1, TURN, YO and insert hook into first st, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook) then YO and pull through 2 loops, (2 loops on hook), *YO and insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops* (3 loops on hook), repeat * - * until you have 6 loops on your hook, YO and pull through all loops, SLST to fasten off. Leave a long yarn tail to attach this end to the other side of your bag. Weave in yarn tails.
Strap 3: Black Tie Affair
Starting in one corner of your bag:
SLST to corner and then CH until you reach your desired length (without stretching) and make sure it is in a multiple of 3. As a reference I usually chain between 84-102. Then making sure your chain is straight, SLST to opposite corner of bag.
CH1, TURN, *YO insert hook into first CH space, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), YO insert hook into next CH space, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), YO insert hook into next CH space, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook), YO and pull through all 4 loops on hook and CH2*. Repeat * - * until you reach the opposite side, SLST into space where you started your original CH.
CH2, TURN, skip the 2 CHs from the last row and make 3DC into the next st which should be directly above your DC clusters from the last row. *Skip next two CH spaces, 3DC into next st*. Repeat * - * until you reach the end of your strap and SLST into corner where you SLST'd at the end of row 1. Cut yarn and weave in loose yarn tails.
Strap 4: Boho Bean
Starting in one corner of your bag:
SLST to corner and CH2 (counts as your first DC), 5DC into same stitch where you started your chain (6)
CH1, TURN, SC across (6)
CH3, TURN, skip first st, HDC into next st, *CH3, skip a st, HDC into next st*, repeat * - * one more time (3 CH3, 3 HDC)
CH1, TURN, 2HDC in each CH space across (6)
CH1, TURN, HDC in each st (6)
CH1, TURN, *MBN, SC into next st* repeat * - * to end of row (3 MBN, 3 SC)
CH1, TURN, HDC in each st (6)
CH1, TURN, HDC in each st (6)
CH3, TURN, skip first st, HDC into next st, *CH3, skip a st, HDC into next st*, repeat * - * one more time (3 CH3, 3 HDC)
CH1, TURN, 2HDC in each CH space across (6)
CH1, TURN, HDC in each st (6)
CH1, TURN, *MBN, SC into next st* repeat * - * to end of row (3 MBN, 3 SC)
Repeat rows 7 - 12 until you reach your desired length.
CH1, TURN, YO and insert hook into first st, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook) then YO and pull through 2 loops, (2 loops on hook), *YO and insert hook into next st, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops* (3 loops on hook), repeat * - * until you have 7 loops on your hook, YO and pull through all loops, SLST to fasten off. Leave a long yarn tail to attach this end to the other side of your bag. Weave in yarn tails.
Strap 5: Chain Gang
Starting in one corner of your bag:
SLST to corner of your bag and then CH until you reach your desired length (without stretching) and make sure it is in a multiple of 5. As a reference I usually chain between 90-100. Then making sure your chain is straight, SLST to opposite corner of bag.
TURN, *CH4, skip next 4 CH spaces, SC into next CH*, repeat * - * until you reach the start of your original CH.
SLST into same space as your original SLST and TURN, 10SC into the CH space created by the CH4, SLST into the SC, *10sc into next CH space, SLST into the SC*, repeat * - * until you reach the end of this side.
SLST into the corner space on this side, TURN so you are working along the original CH from row 1, and repeat what we did in the last row. *10SC in CH4 space, SLST into the bottom of the SC sts*, repeat * - * until you reach the end of this row, SLST into corner st, cut a yarn tail and weave in ends.
Feel free to make variations or try different yarns with these.
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for other ideas and to see what new things I have coming your way!
You can grab the Granny Square Bag Pattern and Granny Square Patches here if you want to give them a try, but be warned, they can be very addictive!! I'd love to see how you use these bag straps! Right now I have to run and stop a llama bag bashing fight breaking out in the office! I hope you all have a wonderful week!
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