Elevate your style with this chic crochet bag showcasing the almond stitch. Perfect for your upcoming getaway, the circular gold bamboo handles complement the striking almond stitch pattern, creating a fashion-forward accessory that’s sure to set trends.

Time: Weekend Project

Skill Level: Easy

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in

Materials

Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (100% cotton; 186 yards [170 meters] / 3.5 ounces [100 grams]): [761-110] Navy (MC 1 ball), [761-098C] Ecru (CC 1 ball).

Hook: US size E/4 3.5 mm

Notions: 2 metal or bamboo handles

Special Stitches

Spike sc = insert hook in skipped st three rows below, yarn over, pull up long loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops.

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in three steps. First, the center panel is made as one long rectangular piece using almond stitch and two colors. The almond stitch pattern is worked in horizontal rows.

Second, the side panels are worked in vertical rows with MC, then the piece is folded in half and sides seamed together with slip stitches.

Third, the bag is finished with two rounds of edge and handles are attached with single crochet stitches on the last round.

Starting chain-1 does not count as stitch.

Starting chain-3 does count as dc.

To change colors, on the last st of row when changing, with last 2 loops on the hook, yarn over with new color and pull through to finish the stitch.  Drop old color to pick up at next change.

Pattern

Center panel

With MC ch 32.
Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in each ch, finish last sc with CC (pull up loop in last ch with MC, make a slip knot with CC, pull slip knot through 2 loops on hook, don’t cut off MC). (31 sc at end of this row)

Row 2: With CC ch 1 (does not count as a st here and throughout), turn, sc in first sc, *sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, dc 1 in each of next 5 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc**, ch 1, skip next sc*; rep from * to * once, then rep from * to ** once, sc in last sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *sc in next sc, hdc in next hdc, dc 1 in each of next 5 dc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next sc**, ch 1, skip 1-ch sp*; rep from * to * once, then rep from * to ** once, sc in last sc and finish it with MC, don’t cut off CC.

Row 4: With MC ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *sc 1 in each of next 9 sts, spike sc in skipped sc three rows below; rep from * once, sc in each last 10 sts.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc, finish last sc with CC.

Row 6: With CC ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, *dc in each of next 2 sc, hdc in next sc, sc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc, hdc in next sc, dc 1 in each of next 3 sc; rep from * to end.

Row 7: Ch 3, turn, *dc in each of next 2 dc, hdc in next hdc, sc in next sc, ch 1, skip 1-ch sp, sc in next sc, hdc in next hdc, dc 1 in each of next 3 dc; rep from * to end, finish last dc with MC.

Row 8: With MC ch 1, turn, sc in each of first 5 sc, *spike sc in skipped sc three rows below, sc in each of next 9 st; rep from * once, spike sc in skipped sc three rows below, sc in each of last 5 st.

Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc, finish last sc with CC.

Rows 10-81: Rep rows 2-9.

Rows 82-84: Rep rows 2-4.

Cut off CC at the end of row 83, don’t cut off MC at the end of row 84.

Side panels

Turn the center piece sideways to stitch along the first side.

Row 1 (RS): Sc in end space of each row as follows:

1. Sc in end space of last MC row.
2. Skip next CC row and sc 1 in next CC row.
3. Sc 1 in each of next 2 MC rows (1 stitch per 1 row).
4. Sc 3 in each of next 2 CC rows (3 stitches per 2 rows).
5. Sc 1 in each of next 2 MC rows (1 stitch per 1 row).
6. Repeat steps 2-5. (83 sc at end of this row)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn, sc flo in each sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc.

Rows 4-9: Rep rows 2-3.

Seaming: Fold the piece in half right side out, sl st in each st inserting hook through each corresponding stitch on both sides. (41 sl st at end of this row)

Fasten off yarn.

2^nd side panel, join MC with sc in end space of center panel’s first row. Complete side same as for first side panel.

Edge and handles

Round 1: Join MC with sc in end space of side panel’s first row to work toward closest seam, sc in end space of each of next 8 rows, sc in connection point of 2 sides, sc in end space of each of next 9 rows. (19 sc across side panels). Sc in each sc on last row of center panel, sc in end space of each of next 9 rows of 2^nd side panel, sc in connection point of 2 sides, sc in end space of each of next 9 rows, sc in each sc on first row of center panel, sl st in first sc. (100 sc at end this round)

Round 2: Sl st in each of next 24 sc, sc in each of next 21 sc holding the first handle loop inside stitches, sl st in each of next 29 sc, sc in each of next 21 sc holding the 2^nd handle loop inside stitches, sl st in each of next 5 sc.

Cut off, fasten off yarn.

Weave in all ends.