Hey there, fellow makers! Welcome back to the blog.
If you’ve been looking for a modern, everyday bag that actually holds its shape and doesn't sag when you put your keys and phone inside, you are going to love today's project! Today, we are making a gorgeous, boutique-style, Matipa Crochet Bag.
This pattern is incredibly fun to work up. We’ll be using a combination of back-loop single crochets and elongated spike stitches to create a thick, sturdy texture that looks totally high-end. Plus, I'll show you a super neat trick for creating trendy, inset folded sides and ultra-strong Romanian cord handles that won't stretch out over time.
Whether you want to try out some sturdy 3mm macramé cord, a durable rope, or even that cozy bulky T-shirt yarn you’ve been saving in your stash, this step-by-step tutorial has got you covered. Grab your favorite mug of tea or coffee, get your hooks ready, and let's create something beautiful together!
Planning to make this later? Save this pattern to your favorite Pinterest crochet board so you don't lose it!
If you prefer a step by step video tutorial then click here Crochet Matipa Bag tutorial.
Level of skill Required:
Knowledge
on how to crochet single crochet and slip stitch is required for this pattern.
Material list:
1. Crochet Hook size 5mm
2. Macramé/ Rope or t-shirt yarn or any
other bulky yarn that is about 3mm thick
3. 289 yards needed of macrame
4. Scissors
5. 7 Stitch markers
6. Metal ring (for tassel)
7. Tapestry needle
One size
bag
Finished bag measurements
14 inches height and 9 inches width, handles length each 14 inches
Crochet Terms in US Terminology
·
rep
– repeat (do it again)
·
st
(s) – stitch(es)
·
** –
means do what is written in-between the asterisks (for example rep** ,
means repeat what is written in between the asterisks)
Stitch guide
·
ch
– chain
·
sl
st – slip stitch
·
sc
–single crochet
Pattern notes:
- You are going to work in rows
for the base and rounds for the sides.
- Remember to always put back the
st marker back after crocheting the first st of the round (for the sides)
- The number in the brackets at
the end of each instruction is the total number of stitches for that
round.
Instructions:
Make the bag in
3 steps
- Step
1 – the bottom
- Step
2 – the sides
- Step
3 – the handles
The spike stitch (elongated single crochet stitch)
Here is how
you crochet the spike stitch:
The spike
stitch is worked exactly like a regular single crochet except that it is longer
than the traditional sc. To crochet the spike stitch, insert hook under the
next single crochet back loop only of the previous round, pull up a long loop
to the height of the working round. Now you have two loops on the hook, yarn
over and pull through both loops to have one spike stitch. You should remember
to skip the stitch of the working round located behind the spike stitch just
made. This is because the spike stitch overlays the stitch of the working round
and replaces it.
Step 1- The bottom
Row 1: ch 25.
Sc 1 in the 2nd ch from the
hook, continue with 1 sc in each ch until all the chains are done. At the end
of the row ch 1 and turn. (24)
Row 2: Sc 1
in the 1st st , continue with
1 sc in each of the following sts until the row is done, ch 1 and turn. (24)
Row 3 to row 11: repeat row 2. Put a stitch marker in the first st of
row 11.
After completing row 11, do not turn but rather
continue crocheting single crochet on all the edges of the bottom ( at each corner put two stitches) until
you are back at the starting point where you put a stitch marker earlier on. At
the end of the round count your stitches, the total number of stitches should
be an odd number. If they are not you can either add or remove a stitch (NB
examples of odd numbers are 71, 73, 75, 77 and so on). In this case the total
number is 70 which is not an odd number so I add one more stitch at that corner
to make them 71. After completing this round the bottom of the crochet bag is
done. (71)
Step 2 – The Sides
From here onwards crochet in rounds
Round 1: sc 1 in the back loop of the first st put back the
st marker, continue with 1sc in each st (back loop) until the round is done.
(71)
Round 2: sc 1 in the back loop of the first stitch, *in the
following st crochet 1 spike stitch (refer to the top on how to crochet the
spike st). sc 1 in the back loop of the next st* rep from * to * until the round is done.
Take note: when you start a round with single crochet in
the back loop st you finish with single crochet in the back loop st, likewise
when you start with spike st.
Round 3: since the last st of round 2 is sc, put 1 spike st in
the first st, *sc 1 in the back loop of
the following st, in the next st put 1 spike st* repeat from * to *
until the round is done. (71)
Round 4 to round 20: repeat round 2 and round 3. (71)
Before moving on to round 21, lay your bag
in a rectangular shape so that it has four corners. Since the stitch marker
marking the first stitch is on a corner/edge, that corner is going to be the
first corner. Start counting from the starting point and put other st markers
in st number 25; 36; 60 to have four corners
Round
21- continue with the pattern as done in the
previous rounds. *When you are towards the next stitch with marker that is
stitch number 25. Crochet in that st in this case spike st, and then skip all
the stitches in between st 25 and st 36 and go on to crochet in st 36 which is
single crochet in the back loop. This way we have folded the bag sides inwards
as shown below.
(NB:
the stitches with markers should be alternating that is in this case st 25 is
going to be a spike st and st 36 is sc in back loop, they should not be the
same like both are spike stitches as this will distort the pattern. If for
example they are the same like st 36 is going to be a spike st rather skip it
together with the others skipped and move on to crochet in the next stitch or
crochet the st before st 36)
Continue with the pattern until you reach
st 60. You will find that st 60 is going to be a sc in back loop as well as the
first stitch…. This will distort the pattern so instead of using the first
stitch we will use the stitch before the first st (which is the last st of the
round). Therefore crochet sc in the back loop in st 60 and then skip the sts in
between and crochet spike st in the last st of the round. After completing this
round the bag should have two opposite sides folding inwards as shown below:
Round 22: remove all the other stitch markers and remain with the one marking the starting point. Crochet the pattern as done in previous rounds until the round is done. At the folded sides just continue with the pattern.
Round
23: insert hook at the top of each stitch
(below two loops) and slip stitch in every stitch until the round is done. Cut
and fasten off the ends.
Step 3 – The handles
The handles are going to be Romanian cords.
Here is how you crochet a Romanian cord:
Step
1: leave a tail of
about 30cm at the start as well as at the end of the cord. Chain 2, work 1 sc
into the 2nd chain from the hook. As you do this pay attention to
the first chain you skipped, it will fold up alongside your stitch and create a
loop on the side.
Step
2: Turn and crochet 1 single crochet into this
side loop. As you do this, both single crochets including the previous one form
2 little side loops.
Step
3: Turn and crochet 1 single crochet in these 2
side loops. Repeat the last step until you reach a length of about 45cm to 50cm.
After the first handle is done repeat step 1 to 3 and crochet another second
handle.
Attaching the handles:
Step
1: Lay your bag flat. Put one stitch marker at
one edge and put another at the other edge as shown below.
Step
2: From one stitch marker at the corner count 6
st and put a st marker and do the same for the other st marker on the other
edge as shown below:
Repeat the last step on the other side of
the bag. Remove the st markers at the corners those used in step 1 earlier on
to remain with 4 st markers (2 on each side)
Step
3: Place one handle on one side of the bag on 2
stitches marked in step 2. Start joining six rounds below as shown below.
Join by sewing the handle to the bag with a
tapestry needle. Try to be as neat as possible by inserting the needle in the
side loops of the handle as you join. Repeat on the other end of the handle.
After the first handle is done turn your
bag and repeat step 3 and attach the second handle.
When done, attach a metal ring next to a
handle at the edge of the bag using a tapestry needle. For the tassel cut 10 strands of yarn which are
about 15 inches long, insert them through the metal ring. Tie the strands
together just below the metal ring. Trim the ends of the strands to get a nice
finish. Cut and fasten of all the ends on the bag. The
bag is done.
You can also watch the step by step video tutorial here Crochet Matipa bag tutorial
You Did It!
And just like that, your gorgeous, boutique-style tote bag is officially ready to show off! I absolutely love how the macramé cord gives this design such a clean, modern structure, and that textured spike stitch is a total showstopper. Whether you’re heading to the local markets or just running everyday errands, you’re definitely going to get some compliments on this handmade beauty.
Now I want to hear from you! What color did you choose for your bag? Are you rocking the boho tassel, or did you add your own creative spin to it? Let me know in the comments below—I love chatting with you all and hearing about your crochet adventures.
If you loved making this project, please share the love! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest boards, or post a photo of your finished bag on social media and tag me. There is truly nothing better than seeing my designs come to life in your hands.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog and crafting with me today. Have the most wonderful week, happy crocheting, and I can't wait to see you in the next pattern: the Diamond Trellis tote bag!
thank you for this
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