Crochet your own clutch bag – step by step
Crocheting your own clutch bag is a fun and rewarding project that is both stylish and practical. In this guide, we use our Alma yarn, which is perfect for bags and baskets thanks to its stability and durability. Together with our clutch handle and our ergonomic crochet hook 6.0 mm. If you want to use double yarn, we recommend a 10mm crochet hook.
If you want to see how the process looks in video, you can watch our TikTok here.
❯ Materials
- Alma, our stretchy tape yarn that provides stability
- Clutch handle
- Ergonomic crochet hook 6.0 mm
- Stitch marker
- Blunt metal needle
- Scissors
❯ Abbreviations
- SLP ST – Slip stitch
- CH – Chain stitch
- SL ST – Slip stitch
- ST – Stitch
❯ How much yarn do I need?
Single strand Alma: For a single strand with a 6mm - 7mm crochet hook, we recommend 1 skein for handle sizes between 16cm - 18cm. For larger handles, we recommend 2 skeins.
Double strand Alma: For a double strand of Alma with a 10mm crochet hook, we recommend one skein of each color for handle sizes between 16cm - 18cm. For larger handles, we recommend 2 skeins of each color.
Note: These are only recommendations, and the amount of yarn for your project may vary depending on how tightly or loosely you crochet.
This pattern is general and works for all different types of yarn.
Step 1: The base
Start with a slip knot and make a chain of chain stitches that is as wide as the handle. (Image 1) Alma is a stretchy yarn, so make sure to measure the chain when it is slightly taut; if it is too loose, the base may become larger than planned as you continue to crochet. The last stitch in the chain becomes your turning chain, which means that row two starts at the correct height. Then begin to crochet into the second stitch from the crochet hook in the next row.
For the first row, single crochet along the chain, and when you reach the end, make a new chain stitch as a turning chain and turn your work. Then continue to crochet back and forth in this manner until the base is as large as the open handle. (Image 2) Take your time to ensure the shape is even – the base is the foundation for the rest of the bag, and it is important that it is correct.
Step 2: Crocheting the height of the bag
Note: The height of the bag is crocheted in individual rows and not in a spiral. This means you start each row by making a chain stitch to get to height. Then to close the row, you make a slip stitch in the first stitch you made in the row. (Image 9)
Important: Chain stitches and slip stitches are never counted as real stitches; they are only there to help close and start a new row. If you have difficulty distinguishing the stitches, we recommend marking them to see them clearly.
Once the base is complete, it's time to start crocheting the walls of the bag. To begin the first row of the walls, make a chain stitch to gain height.
Then single crochet all around the base: on the sides where you crocheted back and forth, single crochet in each stitch just as you did before, and on the remaining two edges, single crochet in each chain stitch hole and the first stitch from the row. (Image 3) Always mark the start and end point of the row with a stitch marker so you can easily keep track.
Once you have crocheted all the way around the base and returned to the first single crochet you made, make a slip stitch in the first stitch to close the row. Then make a chain stitch and single crochet your first single crochet into the same stitch as the slip stitch. Both the chain stitch and slip stitch are "invisible" stitches and thus are not counted as a regular stitch in the project.
Continue in this manner until the bag reaches the desired height. Remember that the sides where the handle will close should be able to meet without the bottom bending upwards; this is the minimum height, but you can always make the bag taller if you wish. (Image 4)
Step 3: Prepare the handle (optional)
If you want the handle to blend into the bag and not show through the yarn, you can prepare it before crocheting it in. Cut a piece of yarn and wrap it around the handle. (Image 5) Be careful with the breaking points so that the yarn does not get stuck between the screws or in the metal edges. This step is optional and is mostly about creating a smoother finish.
Step 4: Crochet the handle into place
Now it's time to crochet the handle into the bag. Many people find it easier to tie the handle in place with a piece of yarn before starting to crochet. (Image 6) When you single crochet, you pick up the yarn so that the handle is inside the yarn – this way the handle is "caught" in the stitches and crocheted into the work. Continue all around the row.
Open handles - Optional: Do you want handles on the side of the bag? On the sides where the bag will open and close, you start by marking out how big you want the handles to be. (Image 7) Make sure both sides are equal before continuing.
When you reach the marked stitch, continue to single crochet only around the handle. Make as many single crochets around the handle as the number of stitches you skip from the work (Image 8) Then continue to crochet the handle in the same way as before.
Step 5: Finishing
Once the handle is in place, it's time to fasten all loose ends. Use a blunt metal needle and make sure the threads are secure before cutting them. Once this is done, your clutch bag is complete!
