Crochet Bag Pattern | Raffia

This crochet bag pattern is not only a summer staple you can wear again and again but it’s really easy to make.

The bag is made from strong raffia and has an added tassel for some boho flair!

Using only single crochet throughout the pattern, this is an easy one to follow.

Raffia Bag

Raffia bags are just everywhere right now as they make perfect accessories for your summer outfits.

Throw one over a floaty summer dress, use as a beach bag or for going out to meet friends.

Whatever the occasion this crochet bag is one that can be worn with anything!

Cross Body Purses

I wanted to make a circle bag that could be worn across the body, mainly because I like to be hands-free!

This bag is big enough for shopping but can also be used as a beach bag.

It is also a little floppy, the raffia is strong but not stiff.

The straps are long, so can be worn as a shoulder bag if preferred.

Crochet Circle Bag

What started out as a small circle, quickly grew into a large circle that morphed into a bag!

I started to learn how to crochet flat circles from cotton to make coasters and thought about designing and making a crochet purse.

With a few simple sketches, the idea came to life and I started to make the first circular panel.

Crocheting circles can sometimes run into problems, but if you keep count of your rounds, they should stay flat.

Depending on the materials you use and your tension, they can sometimes curl and flute, so may need to be blocked and stretched into shape.

Please note – the raffia does like to curl up and may need blocking / in the pattern notes below you will see more detail about this.

How To Crochet With Raffia

If you have never crocheted with raffia before, it is quite an easy material to work with.

I must admit that after a while, as the circles grew, my hands started to ache a little.

But the raffia is strong and really durable, so perfect for making summer handbags with.

Big Handbags

Large circle bags are just perfect for vacations when you are wandering around new towns or cities and for storing all of your essentials.

I live on a small Greek island, so this bag matches so well with my summer outfits, from wearing dresses in Corfu town, to throwing over a sundress to visit the beach.

The pattern could be adjusted though if you wanted to make the circles smaller and the straps shorter.

You could also crochet the straps together if you wanted to have one wide strap.

Crochet Purse

If you make one of these casual summer bags, you will see how easy it is to crochet.

This round crochet bag pattern is an easy skill level.

The crochet stitches are basic, as the pattern only requires knowing how to chain and single crochet.

I have added photographs in the pattern to help you and a video tutorial on how to stitch the two sides of the bag together.

The Tassel

I added a long tassel to the bag, using leftovers from a different colour raffia yarn (to match my dress).

I also stitched white and green pom poms and added a gold key chain.

The keychain has a clip, so can easily be clipped on or off the bag strap.

You can see a video tutorial here – how to make a tassel.

How To Make A Crochet Circle Bag

This bag is made by crocheting two separate pieces, two circles with long straps.

You will crochet the two sides together when both are complete.

I have added a video tutorial in this post to show you how to do this.

How To Make A Raffia Bag

Follow the pattern below and make your own raffia bag!

Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.

Skill Level – Advanced/beginner

Materials

4 x King Cole Raffia – in the colour Natural – (1456) 200g
Alternative raffia yarn – Ra Ra Raffia from Wool and The Gang
For the tassel – 1 x King Cole Raffia in the colour Woodland – (1458) 50g
Gold thread
Clover pom pom makers – 1 3/8 inch / 1 5/8 inch / 1 inch
Key ring clip – 1.5 inch / ring – 1 inch
yarn weight guide

Tools

Crochet Hook – Size 5.5mm (US 9/I)
Scissors
Stitch markers
Tape measure
Darning needle

Pattern Instructions

Bag Body – Round Panels – Make 2

Make a 4 ch and join with an ss in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: (RS) – 1 ch; 8 sc in ring (8 sts) PM (see notes)
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc (16 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to end. (24 sts)
Round 4: 1 sc in each sc
Round 5: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to end. (36 sts)
Round 6: 1 sc in each sc
Round 7: *1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to end. (48 sts)
Round 8: 1 sc in each sc
Round 9: *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to end. (60 sts)
Round 10: 1 sc in each sc
Round 11: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 2 sc. (72 sts)
Round 12: 1 sc in each sc
Round 13: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 3 sc. (84 sts)
Round 14: 1 sc in each sc
Round 15: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 4 sc. (96 sts)
Round 16: 1 sc in each sc
Round 17: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 5 sc. (108 sts)
Round 18: 1 sc in each sc
Round 19: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 6 sc. (120 sts)
Round 20: 1 sc in each sc
Round 21: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 7 sc. (132 sts)
Round 22: 1 sc in each sc
Round 23: 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc. * 1 sc in each of next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc* rep from * to * ending with 1 sc in each of last 8 sc. (144 sts)
Round 24: 1 sc in each sc
Leave the raffia yarn last stitch open, as you will come back to this later – to work into.

The side panels and handles

You will need to use two strands of raffia together for this next part of the pattern.

Round 1: With two strands together – where the marker is and the loop you left open on one of the circle panels, 2 sc, PM, ch 130.
Count 50 sts to the left on the edge of the round panel and make 1 sc into the next st, attaching the future handle.
Continue to 1 sc in each st until the end of the round – all with two strands of yarn together.

This is so the edge is robust and can be turned over on the side panels easily, making a more solid edge.

Cut one raffia strand and continue on with the other.

Round 2: 1 sc in each st – following both the sides and the handle until the end of the round.
Rep round 2 two more times.

You should be able to now bend the side panels over – as the round you completed with the two strands of raffia will have made a stiff edge that allows the sides to bend over.

Making Up

If the round bag panels look like they need to be blocked – please read the notes below on how to do this.
Place the right sides of the bag together – and sc into each corresponding st – of the side panels.
They are crocheted together and you will see a seamed line on the inside of the bag (the wrong side).
Leave an opening at the top of the bag – and obviously for the handles, just leave them as they are.
You may need to stretch the handles out a little and make sure they lie straight.
Alternatively you can crochet the handles together if you wish to have one wide strap.
Weave in all loose ends and remove the stitch markers.
Turn the bag out to the right side – and try it on!
This bag can be worn as a shoulder bag or a cross body bag.

The Tassel

If you want to add a tassel to your bag – you could do this in any yarn or leftovers you have in your stash or use more raffia like I did.
I used a green/brown mix from King Cole Raffia called woodland.
I also added 3 pom poms in green and white, attaching to a ring clip, which then clipped onto the bag handle.
Please see my tutorial on how to make a tassel.
Leave a long length of yarn for the top section of your tassel, so that you can thread the pom poms onto it, loop over the ring of your ring clip, and push back down through the first pom pom, securing under neath and cutting the raffia.
This will hide any untidy loose ends and be hidden underneath the pom pom.
Push the pom pom down a little to hide the knot and your tassel charm should be ready to attach to your bag.

Notes

*Please note*

Do not turn at the end of the round, but continue working in a spiral, with the right side (RS) always facing.
Keep count of the sts by placing a marker (PM) on the last st of each round.
There are no turning chains in this pattern.

Blocking

Pulling and stretching the raffia out a little when the circle begins to grow can help to keep it flat when working.
The bag may require light steam blocking when finished – I blocked and the bag was flatter after.
Do not allow the iron to touch the raffia, steam from above through a thin cotton towel.
Alternatively, you can flatten by stacking books on top and leaving for a couple of days.

Measurements

The circle bag measures – diameter = 16 inches

*You can adjust the number of sts you ch for the bag strap if you want to make it longer or shorter*

Straps = 41 inches

Tassel length = 10 inches

Gauge = 13 sts / 13 rows in 4″

Abbreviations / Crochet Abbreviations List

CH – Chain

PM – Place marker

SC – Single crochet

SS – Slip stitch

RS – Right side

I love seeing your finished projects!

If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!

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