Crochet

Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag

March 1, 2019
Cover image for the Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag

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Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag

Do you remember the Granny Square Raffia Bag? I love that bag, and I paraded it all around during summer. So much so that I had a request to do two more. But this time, in a different material. Why not make Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bags?

It’s amazing how different materials can change a project completely. But did I realize this at the time? Of course not! So what I thought would be an easy and quick-to-make request, soon took a detour before becoming the Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bags.

Inspiration

As my first original pattern, the Granny Square Raffia Bag holds a special place in my heart. I love it as it is, but the challenge to remake it with a different look was one I could not refuse.

I did not want to change the core of the pattern, the big granny squares, so the novelty would be the yarn. These needed to be sturdy bags and I wanted to try a bulkier material so that they could be done in a jiffy. And just so happens that my favorite yarn store in Barcelona – Miss Kits – has a tape yarn of their own brand that I’d been wanting to try in ages!

With the yarn decided, all that’s left is get it and get to work! What else is there to it?

The project

Late September, I got my tape yarn in Barcelona. Then, in October, I went to Jakarta.

There, I finally found a few moments to work on the bags. I had the two big granny squares for each bag, when… I ran out of yarn. Yep, you heard me. One that is made specifically on the other side of the world… I guess I didn’t really think this through.

It was only in December that I was able to go back to Miss Kits in Barcelona. With all the yarn I need (and some) I was finally able to work on the straps. I was repeating the rafia pattern for the strap, but it was NOT working. It was stretching a lot and it really didn’t look good. So, instead of doing 2 rounds of double crochet for the strap, I did just one round of double crochets spaced by one chain.

I was marking some stitches, moving the bag around when I started noticing something… It was SUPER HEAVY. While it was empty and before sewing the strap to the panels. I so didn’t think this through! πŸ™ To solve this, I did just one round of slip stitches, by crocheting the 2 panels together. Additionally, I shortened the strap to cut on the amount of yarn that would go all around the bag.

You may think that this will make the bag smaller. However, the tape yarn gives more than the rafia, so it will still be spacious. Also, because it doesn’t have the structure of the rafia, it has a tendency to open up. To prevent this, I accessorized. A wooden button for the brown bag and a bronze clip for the sand one.

Lesson Learned

Crochet is something I really enjoy, so when an idea for a project starts brewing in my head, I cannot wait to start! However, as this project showed me, a little bit of planning goes a long way.

The fact that tape yarn is bigger than rafia would, of course, have an impact on the design. Not to mention the weight of the bag. Also, I should have taken into account the yardage in the first skeins I got. Especially, when I travel to different countries. And when those countries don’t really have yarn stores or the brand that you need.

In the end, it was good it happened! I am now a lot more aware of how important it is to reflect a bit on your projects and plan before you get to work. Sometimes it’s hard, because it may feel like you’re refraining yourself, but truly, you’re just saving yourself from disaster. πŸ˜‰

Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag being worn by Susana from Fluffy Stitches

I’d love to know what you like about this design. Is it the giant granny squares? Is it the tape yarn? πŸ™‚ Let me know in the comments below so I can make more designs for YOU!

Pattern

  • You can buy the ad-free, printable PDF pattern HERE!
  • PIN this pattern for later HERE!
  • Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE!

Description

Because sometimes you need your favorite bag in different materials, here is the Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn bag. Fun and super quick pattern, you’ll have these out of your hook in no time!

Skill Level

  • Easy

Have in Hand

  • 3 skeins of Miss Kits Tape Yarn (82yd/75m) in Brown
    • This is a Super Bulky yarn and I used about 450g for each bag
  • US Size M/N-13 (9mm) crochet hook 
  • Stitch markers, measuring tape, scissors
  • (Optional) Accessories to close the bag: wood button; brass clasp

Gauge

  • Panel: [3 dc, ch 1] 2.5 times: 10 sts x 5 rows: 4”/10 cm
  • Strap: [1 dc, ch 1] 5.5 times: 11 sts: 4 β€˜β€™/10 cm

Finished Measures

  • Panel: 13’’/33 cm square
  • Strap: 37’’/94 cm

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch: chain
  • ch-# sp: chain-# space
  • dc:  double crochet
  • sl st: slip stitch
  • st(s): stitch(es)

Notes

  • The bag is worked by making 2 square panels and adding a strap. 
  • To make the strap stronger, work the strap from the yarn that you use to join the granny squares. 
  • The strap is sized to be used as a crossbody bag. You can adapt this measure according to how you wish to wear the bag.
  • Make your stitches around the chain space sts. Don’t insert your hook into the stitches.
  • The first ch 2 count as a dc.
  • Join with a sl st in the 2nd st of the beginning chain that counts as a dc.
  • For the strap, turn your foundation chain and work your dc on the back bumps of the ch sts.
  • Before assembly, block your pieces! It is important that the two side panels have close measures, even if they are not exactly the same.
  • The pattern explains how to crochet together the panels of the bag. If you prefer, you can opt to sew them together using the mattress stitch or the whip stitch.

Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag

Panel (make 2)

Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

Round 1: ch 2, 2 dc into ring, ch 2, [3 dc, 2 ch] 3 times, join with sl st into the 2nd chain of beginning ch 2 (the one that counted as a dc). <20>

Round 2: ch 3 (counts as dc + ch 1), [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp,ch 1] 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, join with sl st into the 2nd ch of beginning ch 3. <36>

Round 3: ch 2, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 cp, ch 1] 3 times, join with sl st. <52>

Round 4: ch 3, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 dc, join with sl st. <68>

Round 5: ch 2, 2 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, join with sl st. <84>

Round 6-8: Repeat Rounds 4, 5 and 4 again, increasing 16 sts in each round. Round 8 will have 24 dc + 9 ch per side. <132>

Assembly

Lay panels on top of each other with right side facing out. Use stitch markers to help finding the corresponding stitches along 3 sides of the panels. Make sure to leave one side of the bag unmarked, which is where the opening will be.

Starting from the top right corner of the panel (from the second chain in the granny square corner), sl st along the panel. To do this make a slip knot. With the slip knot on your needle, sl st through the back loops of both panels. Keep sl st until you close three sides of the bag. DO NOT fasten off.

Strap

Keep using the yarn from joining the 2 panels.

Ch 101, join with sl st to the crochet sts that joined the side of the bag. 

Before you join, make sure your chain is not twisted!

Round 1: Turn, [ch 1, dc] until 1 st left, ch 1, sl st to crochet sts that joined the side of the bag. <101>

The image made for Pinterest of the Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag

I’d really like to know what you think of the written pattern. Was it clear enough? What do you think I could improve to make it easier for you to make this pattern? Tell me in the comments below so that I can write patterns that you can follow easily!

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6 Comments

  • Reply Granny Stitch Crochet Pattern Roundup – Banana Moon Studio – Crochet, Knit, Spin. August 18, 2021 at 7:21 am

    […] Get the free Crochet Granny Square Tape Yarn Bag pattern here! […]

  • Reply Lexi Tiggelman May 11, 2021 at 1:21 am

    Is there a video tutorial for this? I am a beginner.

    • Reply Susana May 13, 2021 at 2:24 pm

      Hi Lexi,
      I’m sorry to say I don’t have a video tutorial for this bag. πŸ™
      I know it’s not the same, but check out the photo tutorial in the Granny Square Raffia Bag post. It is the same pattern and there is a photo tutorial showing the first rounds.
      I hope this helps.

  • Reply sandra thomas November 2, 2020 at 10:21 pm

    You did a great job of explaining ! Thank you !!

    • Reply Susana November 5, 2020 at 10:18 am

      Thank you Sandra! πŸ™‚

  • Reply 20+ Best Free DIY Crochet Handbag Ideas and Patterns (With Instructions) February 22, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    This pattern appears in the round-up 20+ Best Free DIY Crochet Handbag Ideas and Patterns by Home & Garden Digest.

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