The Chic Classic Handbag: Crochet Knit Stitch Handbag Pattern

 

Pattern name: Chic Classic Handbag

Designer: Mirrymas

Difficulty: Intermediate

Hook size: 6.00 mm

Size: One size: 9.5 in (about 24 cm) tall and 12.5 in (about 32 cm) wide

Gauge: 9 stitches x 11 rows = 4 in (10 cm)

Steps: 9

Images: 12

Description

The Chic Classic Handbag is a smart, structured handbag with a knitted look. It is worked in the round from the bottom up, in one piece: an oval single crochet bottom, sides in the knit stitch (waistcoat stitch), and cut-out handles made with chains in the top rounds. A button loop and a tassel on a metal ring finish it off. Every step is written out in full, with photos.

Materials

• Hook — 6.00 mm crochet hook
• Yarn — macramé cord, rope yarn, t-shirt yarn or any other bulky yarn about 3 mm thick; about 250 metres (273 yards)
• Stitch markers — 6, with 1 in a different colour to mark the start of the round [icon: notions]
• Button — 1 button, 20 mm across [icon: notions]
• Metal ring — 1, for the tassel [icon: notions]
• Notions — scissors, sewing needle and sewing thread (for the button) [icon: notions]

Special Stitch Instructions

• Knit stitch (waistcoat stitch): each single crochet has two upright "legs" that make a V. Instead of inserting the hook into the top of the stitch, insert it between the two legs of the V, then work a regular single crochet. Keep your tension relaxed so it is easy to push the hook through.
• Increase: work 2 single crochet into the same stitch.
• Back bump of a chain: the bump on the back of a chain stitch. Turn the chain over to see it.

Step 1: The Bottom, Round 1 (Foundation Round)

1. Chain 20.

2. Work 1 single crochet into the 2nd chain from the hook. Place a stitch marker in this stitch. This marker also shows the start of the round, so use a different colour from the other markers if you can, or take note of its colour.

3. Work 1 single crochet into each of the next 17 chains.

4. Work 4 single crochet into the last chain. Place a stitch marker in each of the last 3 of these 4 stitches.

5. Now work along the back of the starting chain: work 1 single crochet into the back of each of the next 17 chains.

6. Work 3 single crochet into the last chain (the one that holds your very first single crochet). Place a stitch marker in each of the last 2 of these 3 stitches. (42 stitches)

Step 2: The Bottom, Rounds 2 to 5

In this bag, all 6 markers are increase stitches, including the start marker.

Round 2: (1) Work 2 single crochet into the first stitch and put the start marker back into the 1st of these 2 stitches. (2) Work 1 single crochet into each stitch without a marker until you reach a stitch with a marker. (3) Work 2 single crochet into the marked stitch and put the marker back into the 1st of these 2 stitches. (4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you are back at the starting point. (48 stitches)

Rounds 3 and 4: repeat Round 2 two more times. (54 stitches after Round 3 and 60 stitches after Round 4)

Round 5: remove all the stitch markers except the one marking the start of the round. Work 1 slip stitch into each stitch all the way round. (60 stitches) Along the edge of the bottom, you should see 3 loops on top of each stitch.

Step 3: The Sides, Round 1

1. Work 1 single crochet into the outer 2 loops of the first stitch. Do not insert the hook through the slip stitch. Put the start marker back into this stitch.

2. Work 1 single crochet into the outer 2 loops of each stitch until the round is done. (60 stitches)

Step 4: The Sides, Rounds 2 to 24

Round 2: work 1 knit stitch into each stitch all the way round. (60 stitches)

Rounds 3 to 24: repeat Round 2 twenty-two more times. (60 stitches in each round)

Step 5: The Handles, Round 25

1. Counting from the first stitch, place stitch markers in stitches 6, 19, 36 and 49.

2. Work the knit stitch until you reach the first marker (stitch 6). Remove the marker and work a knit stitch into that stitch.

3. Chain 14. Skip the 12 stitches in between, and join the chain to the next marked stitch (stitch 19) with a knit stitch. This is the first handle.

4. When you reach stitches 22 and 23, hold the metal ring against the bag and work the knit stitches through it, so the ring is held by these 2 stitches.

5. Work 1 knit stitch into each stitch until you reach the next marker (stitch 36). Remove the marker and work a knit stitch into that stitch.

6. Chain 14, skip 12 stitches, and join the chain to the next marked stitch (stitch 49) with a knit stitch. This is the second handle.

7. Work a knit stitch into each of the remaining stitches until you are back at the starting point.

Step 6: Rounds 26 and 27

Round 26: work 1 knit stitch into each stitch. When you reach a handle, work 1 single crochet into each chain, inserting the hook into the back bumps of the chains. Repeat at the second handle, then finish the round with knit stitches.

Round 27: work 1 knit stitch into each stitch all the way round, including the stitches along the handles. At the end, join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch. Cut the yarn and fasten off the ends.

Step 7: The Button

Sew the button in the centre of one side of the bag, just below the handle.

Step 8: The Button Loop

1. On the centre of the other side, attach the yarn and chain 9, so the chain is long enough to wrap around the button.

2. Join with a slip stitch into the 6th chain from the hook to make the loop.

3. Slip stitch into each of the remaining chains until you are back at the starting point (the centre).

Step 9: The Tassel

1. Cut 10 strands of yarn, each about 18 inches (46 cm) long, and thread them through the metal ring.

2. Tie the strands together just below the metal ring.

3. Trim the ends for a neat finish. Cut and fasten off all the remaining ends.

Your Chic Classic Handbag is complete!

Author Notes

• You work in rounds and do not turn your work. Rounds 1 to 26 are worked in a spiral; the only slip stitch join is at the end of Round 27.
• Mark the first stitch at the beginning of every round, so you never lose your starting point.
• The number at the end of a round is the total number of stitches you should have for that round.

Customizing

• Longer or shorter: every chain you add to the starting chain adds 2 stitches to every round. For example, chain 22 instead of 20 and every count goes up by 4.
• If you change the size, place the handle markers so each handle skips the same number of stitches and the handles sit opposite each other.
• Taller or shorter: work more or fewer knit stitch rounds before the handles. At the gauge, every 11 rounds adds about 4 inches (10 cm).
• Handle size: each handle is a chain of 14 over 12 skipped stitches. For a bigger opening, skip more stitches and chain 2 more than you skip.
• Yarn: a bigger bag needs more than 250 metres, so buy extra and keep all your yarn from the same dye lot.

Video

Watch the video tutorial

Conclusion

Congratulations, your Chic Classic Handbag is ready to carry! I love how the knit stitch gives this bag such a smart, classic look. 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!