The Aneni Bag: Crochet Handbag Pattern with Wooden Handles

 

Pattern name: Aneni Bag

Designer: Mirrymas

Difficulty: Easy

Hook size: 6.00 mm

Size: One size: 25 cm (about 10 in) tall and 27 cm (about 10.5 in) wide

Steps: 7

Images: 13

Description

The Aneni Bag is a pretty handbag with round wooden handles and rows of raised ridges. Each side starts with single crochet worked right around a handle, then rows of single crochet in the back loops hang down from it. The two sides are edged, sewn together with a whip stitch, and finished with a beaded tassel. Every step is written out in full, with photos.

Materials

• Hook — 6.00 mm crochet hook
• Yarn — 4 mm macramé cord, t-shirt yarn or any other bulky yarn about 4 mm thick; about 96 metres (105 yards)
• Wooden handles — 2 round wooden handles [icon: notions]
• Wooden beads — 2, for the tassel (optional) [icon: notions]
• Notions — scissors and a tapestry needle [icon: notions]

Special Stitch Instructions

• Working around the handle: instead of working into a stitch, insert the hook through the middle of the wooden ring, so each single crochet wraps around the handle.
• Back loop only: the top of every stitch looks like a sideways "V" made of two loops; work into the loop farthest away from you. This makes the raised ridges across the bag.
• Whip stitch: push the needle through both edges from front to back, bring the yarn over the top of the edges, and go through again from the front in the next stitch, so the yarn wraps over the edges each time.

Step 1: Row 1, Around the Handle

1. Make a slip knot and place it along the edge of one wooden handle.

2. Working around the handle, work 21 single crochet.

3. Chain 1 and turn. The chain 1 does not count as a stitch. (21 stitches)

Step 2: Row 2

1. Insert the hook into the back loop of the first stitch and work 1 single crochet.

2. Work 1 single crochet into the back loop only of each stitch until the row is done.

3. Chain 1 and turn. (21 stitches)

Step 3: Rows 3 to 23

Repeat Row 2 twenty-one more times, once for each of Rows 3 to 23. Cut the yarn and fasten off the ends. (21 stitches in each row)

Step 4: The Edging

The edging goes along the two side edges and the bottom. The first 5 rows next to the handle on each side are left without edging, so the top of the bag can open.

1. Counting from the handle, skip the first 5 rows. Make a slip knot and attach the yarn to the edge of the 6th row.

2. Work 1 single crochet into the edge of each row, down the side.

3. At the corner, work 2 single crochet into the corner.

4. Work 1 single crochet into each stitch along the bottom. At the second corner, work 2 single crochet again.

5. Work 1 single crochet into the edge of each row up the other side, and stop when you reach the last 5 rows next to the handle.

6. Cut the yarn and fasten off the ends. The first side of the bag is done.

Step 5: The Second Side

Repeat Steps 1 to 4 to make a second side, the same as the first.

Step 6: Joining the Sides

1. Place the two sides together and line up the edging stitches of both sides.

2. Thread the tapestry needle with yarn. Sew the two sides together along the edging with a whip stitch, inserting the needle into the single crochet stitches of both sides.

3. Start and finish 5 rows from the handles, so the top of the bag stays open.

4. Cut the yarn and fasten off the ends, then turn your bag inside out so the seam is on the inside.

Step 7: The Tassel

1. Cut about 10 strands of yarn and tie them together in the middle.

2. Thread the two wooden beads onto the top of the tassel.

3. Tie the tassel to the bag, just below one of the handles.

Your Aneni Bag is complete!

Author Notes

• You work in rows, turning at the end of each row.
• The chain 1 at the end of each row is the turning chain and does not count as a stitch.
• The number at the end of a row is the total number of stitches you should have for that row.

Customizing

• Taller or shorter: work more or fewer rows than 23. Make both sides with the same number of rows.
• Wider or narrower: change the number of single crochet worked around the handle in Row 1 (21 in the pattern). Bigger handles can hold more stitches, smaller handles fewer. Use the same number on both sides.
• Bigger or smaller opening: leave more or fewer than 5 rows without edging next to each handle.
• Handles and tassel: any round handles will work, and the tassel and beads are optional.
• Yarn: a bigger bag needs more than 96 metres, so buy extra and keep all your yarn from the same dye lot.

Video

Watch the video tutorial

Conclusion

Congratulations, your Aneni Bag is ready to carry! I love how the wooden handles and the little beaded tassel give this simple bag such a stylish finish. You are very welcome to sell finished bags made from this pattern; please credit Miriam from Mirrymas Crafts as the designer with a link to my shop.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or email me at mirrymascrafts@gmail.com. I'd love to see your finished bags, so please share your photos and tag me on Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest at @mirrymascrafts.

More patterns to try:

• Forest Green Classic Handbag: a structured handbag with built-in handles, a button and a tassel.
• The Mellow Tote: an easy, roomy double crochet tote with built-in handles.
• Crochet Granny Stripe Stitch: the classic granny look worked in rows.
• Crochet Cobblestone Stitch: round bumps made with single and treble crochet.

Thank you so much for supporting independent crochet design, and happy crocheting!