Belt bags, fanny packs, crossbody purses . . whatever you’d like to call them they’re all the rage right now! I love the convenience of having everything I need front and centre when I’m on the move. This belt bag was designed for Spring & Summer with a boho look and feel. It’s lightweight (thanks to Lion Brand’s Rewind Tape Yarn) and oh so versatile! The pattern includes instructions for size small to 5XL strap so you can customize this bag to fit you just how you’d like it to! Scroll down for the free pattern or purchase an inexpensive downloadable PDF from Etsy HERE or Ravelry HERE!
I designed this belt bag so you don’t have to purchase anything other than yarn for supplies (assuming you already have a 6mm crochet hook, darning needle, and scissors at home). You *could* add a zipper but I have included instructions for a flap closure (which is the style of bag pictured) so that if sewing isn’t your jam this purse is still doable! There is some basic stitching to attach the strap and secure the opening but you could choose to slip stitch instead of using a darning needle to wip stitch if sewing really isn’t your thing. Basically, if crochet is all you’re in the mood for, this bag can be completed with just a simple hook and yarn!
Speaking of yarn . . Lion Brand’s Rewind Tape Yarn (available HERE) was perfect for this project! It’s soft and lightweight (not to mention machine washable). This yarn gives a boho Spring/Summer vibe with it’s dusty tones and raffia look. It’s a polyester/viscose mix making it soft on the hands while giving the look of a more natural rough fibre. I love the colour options and (bonus) you only need 1-2 skeins to complete this project!
I started wearing belt bags 2 years ago and rarely reach for any other style of purse now. I love having all my essentials so close. Digging around in a large deep dark bag for what I need is a thing of the past! This ‘fanny pack’ easily fits my wallet, keys, sunglasses, lip chap, etc. The bag itself is 12″ wide along the top and 7″ deep.
While keeping the same look (a clutch size bag) I wanted to make the pattern as versatile as possible so you can crochet the strap in 8 different sizes from small to 5XL. You could easily adjust the strap instructions for sizes even beyond that as well.
I now have a tween, almost teen, in the house (how do our kids grow up SO fast) and I know I have a winning design lately when she asks for the finished piece! This belt bag was instantly claimed as hers so this Momma felt pretty hip. 😉 Seriously though, I think this is a great design for all ages (women and men) . . the texture and stripes give it visual interest and with those multiple sizing options and yarn colour choices the sky’s the limit on who would want one!
ULLA BELT BAG - Free Crochet Pattern
F I N I S H E D S I Z E S
Body
– 12” wide x 7” deep
Strap
– 24” long – size Small (fits 30-32” chest)
– 28” long – size Medium (fits 34-36” chest)
– 32” long – size Large (fits 38-40” chest)
– 36” long – size XL (fits 42-44” chest)
– 40” long – size 2XL (fits 46-48” chest)
– 44” long – size 3XL (fits 50-52” chest)
– 48” long – size 4XL (fits 54-56” chest)
– 52” long – size 5XL (fits 58-60” chest)
M A T E R I A L S
Hook
– US J / 4 – 6.00mm crochet hook
Yarn
– Any bulky weight yarn (size 5 / ‘chunky’ / 12 ply)
◦ Lion Brand® Rewind™ Tape Yarn (in Elm) was used
▪ Amount needed
– Small (fits 30-32” chest) – approx. 201 yrds or 184 m
– Medium (fits 34-36” chest) – approx. 209 yrds or 191 m
– Large (fits 38-40” chest) – approx. 217 yrds or 198 m
– XL (fits 42-44” chest) – approx. 225 yrds or 206 m
– 2XL (fits 46-48” chest) – approx. 233 yrds or 213 m
– 3XL (fits 50-52” chest) – approx. 241 yrds or 220 m
– 4XL (fits 54-56” chest) – approx. 248 yrds or 227 m
– 5XL (fits 58-60” chest) – approx. 257 yrds or 235 m
Extras
– tapestry needle
– sharp scissors
G A U G E
12 stitches = 4 inch
16 rows = 4 inch
P A T T E R N A B B R E V I A T I O N S
English (US) terms
ch – Chain: Yarn over, pull through loop on hook
sc – Single Crochet: Insert hook into stitch/chain, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on hook
sl st – Slip Stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch and loop on hook
N O T E S
• Beginning chain does NOT count as a stitch in stitch counts
• Body of bag is worked in the round from the bottom up
• Flap closure is worked in rows off the last round in body of bag
• Strap is crocheted separately in rows (and can be made in multiple lengths)
• Some seaming is necessary
V I D E O T U T O R I A L
There is a video tutorial available for this pattern on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/HWQ-Pi3smOk
W R I T T E N P A T T E R N
English (US) terms
BODY OF BAG
ROUND 1
Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook,
join with sl st to first sc
[6 sc]
ROUND 2
Ch 1, 2 sc in same stitch, 2 sc in each stitch around,
join with sl st to first sc
[12 sc]
ROUND 3
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, 2 sc in next stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[18 sc]
ROUND 4
Ch 1, 2 sc in same stitch, sc in next 2 stitches,
*[2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 2 stitches], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[24 sc]
ROUND 5
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch,
*[sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[30 sc]
ROUND 6
Ch 1, 2 sc in same stitch, sc in next 4 stitches,
*[2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 4 stitches], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[36 sc]
ROUND 7
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc OVER next stitch (as shown in picture below),
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[36 sc]
ROUND 8
Ch 1, sc OVER same stitch, sc in next stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[36 sc]
ROUND 9
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc OVER next stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[36 sc]
ROUND 10
Ch 1, sc OVER same stitch, sc in next stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[36 sc]
ROUND 11
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch,
*[sc in next 5 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[42 sc]
ROUND 12
Ch 1, 2 sc in same stitch, sc in next 6 stitches,
*[2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 6 stitches], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[48 sc]
ROUND 13
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around,
join with sl st to first sc
[48 sc]
ROUND 14
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in next 6 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch,
*[sc in next 7 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[54 sc]
ROUND 15
Ch 1, 2 sc in same stitch, sc in next 8 stitches,
*[2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 8 stitches], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[60 sc]
ROUND 16
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc OVER next stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[60 sc]
ROUND 17
Ch 1, sc OVER same stitch, sc in next stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[60 sc]
ROUND 18
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc OVER next stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[60 sc]
ROUND 19
Ch 1, sc OVER same stitch, sc in next stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[60 sc]
ROUND 20
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around,
join with sl st to first sc
[60 sc]
ROUND 21
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in next 8 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch,
*[sc in next 9 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[66 sc]
ROUND 22
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around,
join with sl st to first sc
[66 sc]
ROUND 23
Ch 1, 2 sc in same stitch, sc in next 10 stitches,
*[2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 10 stitches], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[72 sc]
ROUND 24
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each stitch around,
join with sl st to first sc
[72 sc]
ROUND 25
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc OVER next stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[72 sc]
ROUND 26
Ch 1, sc OVER same stitch, sc in next stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[72 sc]
ROUND 27
Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc OVER next stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[72 sc]
ROUND 28
Ch 1, sc OVER same stitch, sc in next stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * around,
join with sl st to first sc
[72 sc]
Fasten off
Fold bag in half and sc around folded edge, leaving top open (as shown)
FLAP CLOSURE
ROW 1
Attach yarn to 2nd stitch from edge of bag (as shown), ch 1, working along good side of bag BPsc around each stitch until 2 stitches remain
[32 BPsc]
ROW 2
ch 1, turn, skip first stitch, sc in next stitch, sc in each stitch in row
[31 sc]
ROW 3 to ROW 16
Repeat Row 2
[Row 16 stitch count: 19 sc]
STRAP
ROW 1
Chain:
- 68 – size Small (fits 30-32” chest)
- 80 – size Medium (fits 34-36” chest)
- 92 – size Large (fits 38-40” chest)
- 104 – size XL (fits 42-44” chest)
- 116 – size 2XL (fits 46-48” chest)
- 128 – size 3XL (fits 50-52” chest)
- 140 – size 4XL (fits 54-56” chest)
- 152 – size 5XL (fits 58-60” chest)
sc in 2nc chain from hook, sc in each chain to end of row
[67 sc | 79 sc | 91 sc | 103 sc | 115 sc | 127 sc | 139 sc | 151 sc ]
ROW 2
Ch 1, turn, sc in first stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * to end of row
[67 sc | 79 sc | 91 sc | 103 sc | 115 sc | 127 sc | 139 sc | 151 sc ]
ROW 3
Ch 1, turn, sc OVER first stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * to end of row
[67 sc | 79 sc | 91 sc | 103 sc | 115 sc | 127 sc | 139 sc | 151 sc ]
ROW 4
Ch 1, turn, sc in first stitch,
*[sc OVER next stitch, sc in next stitch], repeat from * to end of row
[67 sc | 79 sc | 91 sc | 103 sc | 115 sc | 127 sc | 139 sc | 151 sc ]
ROW 5
Ch 1, turn, sc OVER first stitch,
*[sc in next stitch, sc OVER next stitch], repeat from * to end of row
[67 sc | 79 sc | 91 sc | 103 sc | 115 sc | 127 sc | 139 sc | 151 sc ]
Fasten off
For a more finished look, slip stitch along beginning edge of strap (as shown)
ASSEMBLY
Using darning needle and yarn, sew straps to bag (as shown)
Recommended: use darning needle and yarn to sew small section of opening closed to better secure purse contents (as shown)
Thank you for L O O P I N G together
this L A K E S I D E inspired project with me!
