Two-Tone Granny Stitch Crossbody Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This two-tone granny stitch crossbody bag is the perfect first bag project for a confident beginner. It's made from one simple flat rectangle of classic granny stitch, folded in half and seamed up the sides, so there's no shaping, no complicated construction, and no stress. The wide butter yellow and white stripes give it a fresh, easy streetwear look that works with jeans, summer dresses, and everything in between. The finished bag is compact and lightweight, about 8 inches wide and 10 inches tall, with a slim 44-inch strap that sits comfortably across the body and keeps your hands free.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn, approximately 200 yards total: 120 yards butter yellow (Color A) and 80 yards white (Color B).
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional, for marking the first stitch of each row).
• Finished size: Bag body 8 inches wide x 10 inches tall (folded); strap 44 inches long x 1 inch wide.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion.
• sp — space: the gap between stitches, usually under a chain.
• sk — skip: leave the next stitch or chain unworked.
• rep — repeat: work the instruction again as many times as stated.
• st(s) — stitch(es).

Gauge

4 inches = 12 stitches and 6 rows in granny stitch pattern (3-dc clusters). To check, crochet a small swatch of the granny stitch rows and measure a 4-inch section; if your clusters are larger than 12 stitches across 4 inches, go down a hook size, and if smaller, go up a hook size.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your turning chain (ch 3) loose so the side edges of the rectangle stay straight and easy to seam later.
• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of a row so the new color starts cleanly at the beginning of the next row.
• Count your 3-dc groups at the end of each row; you should always have 12 groups plus one dc at each end, which keeps the rectangle square.
• Work the strap a little longer than you think you need, since single crochet stretches slightly with wear.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bag Body (worked flat in rows)

Setup: With A, ch 37.

Row 1: 3 dc in 4th ch from hook (skipped 3 ch count as first dc), *sk 2 ch, 3 dc in next ch; rep from * across, end with 1 dc in last ch. Turn. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 3 dc in first ch-3 sp, *3 dc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * across, end with 1 dc in last st. Turn. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 3-4: With A, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 5-8: Change to B, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 9-12: Change to A, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 13-16: Change to B, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 17-20: Change to A, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 21-24: Change to B, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 25-28: Change to A, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 29-32: Change to B, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Rows 33-36: Change to A, rep Row 2. (12 groups of 3-dc + 1 dc at each end)

Fasten off. (36 rows total, approx 10 inches tall)

Strap (worked in rows)

Setup: With A, ch 4.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (3 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across. Turn. (3 sc)

Rows 3-44 inches: Rep Row 2 until strap measures 44 inches. Fasten off. (3 sc)

Assembly

Fold bag body in half with right sides together, matching short ends. Whipstitch or sc seam both side edges. Turn right side out.

Attach strap ends to top corners of bag on the inside, 1 inch from each side seam, using a secure whipstitch or sc. Reinforce with a square and cross stitch.

Edging (optional)

With B, join yarn at top edge. Work 1 round of sc evenly around top opening, then sl st to join. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

Fold the rectangle in half with right sides together and the short ends matched, then whipstitch or single crochet the two side edges closed. Turn the bag right side out and gently push out the corners. Attach each strap end to the inside of the top corners, 1 inch in from the side seams, and reinforce each join with a square and cross stitch so it holds up to daily use. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, then block lightly by misting with water and shaping the bag flat to dry so the stripes lie straight and the seams relax.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the stripe colors for any two shades you love, or work the whole bag in one color for a minimal look.
• Add a button and a small crocheted loop at the top opening to keep the bag closed.
• Make the strap longer for a true crossbody fit or shorter for a shoulder bag, and add a fabric lining for extra structure.