by That’s a fantastic choice! Combining the beloved granny square with a beautiful flower motif creates a truly enchanting and unique handbag. This project adds a delightful textural element to the classic granny square, making your bag stand out.
For a durable and beautiful bag, especially in Phnom Penh’s climate, 100% cotton yarn or a cotton blend is definitely the best option. Cotton is breathable, maintains its shape well, offers excellent stitch definition for those lovely flower details, and is easy to wash.
How to Crochet a Flower Granny Square Bag
This tutorial will guide you through creating a charming and sturdy handbag by crocheting individual flower granny squares and then seaming them together.
1. Essential Materials You’ll Need
- Yarn:
- Fiber: 100% Cotton or a Cotton Blend (e.g., 80% Cotton / 20% Acrylic). These materials are durable, have minimal stretch, and highlight the stitch details beautifully.
- Weight: Worsted Weight (Aran / Medium / 4) is ideal. It works up quickly and creates a firm fabric.
- Colors: Get creative! You’ll need at least two to three colors per square to create the flower effect (e.g., one for the flower center, one for petals, and one for the square’s outer rounds). You can use more for a truly vibrant, scrappy bag.
- Quantity: For a medium-sized handbag (around 10-12 inches tall, 12-14 inches wide), you’ll need approximately 500-700 yards (450-640 meters) total, distributed among your chosen colors.
- Crochet Hook: A 4.0mm (US G/6) or 4.5mm (US 7) hook. Aim for a consistent, firm tension so your stitches are tight enough to hold the bag’s shape without being overly stiff. If your stitches seem loose, try a smaller hook.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Absolutely crucial for weaving in all those ends (and there will be a few!) and for neatly seaming your squares together.
- Stitch Markers (Optional but Recommended): Very helpful for marking the beginning of rounds or corners, especially when you’re starting out.
- Optional: Fabric lining (for added durability and to prevent small items from slipping through the stitches), a magnetic snap closure or a button, and D-rings if you’re attaching a separate strap.
2. Basic Crochet Stitches You’ll Use
This project relies on a few fundamental crochet stitches, making it accessible for those familiar with the basics:
- Chain (ch): To begin your work and create chain spaces.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Used for joining rounds.
- Single Crochet (sc): Creates a dense fabric, useful for borders or handles.
- Half Double Crochet (hdc): A medium-height stitch.
- Double Crochet (dc): The main stitch for the “granny” clusters and petals.
- Triple/Treble Crochet (tr): A taller stitch, sometimes used for more prominent petals.
- Magic Ring (MR): (Also known as Magic Circle). This is the best way to start the center of your flower for a tight, hole-free beginning. Alternatively, you can use
ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring.
Part 1: Crocheting the Flower Granny Square Motif
This is the heart of your bag! Each square will feature a beautiful flower.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: triple crochet (or treble crochet)
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sp: space
- MR: magic ring
Instructions for One Flower Granny Square:
- Start – Flower Center (Color A – e.g., Yellow):
- Create a Magic Ring (MR).
- Rnd 1: Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch). Work 10 hdc into the MR. Pull the ring tight to close. Join with a sl st to the top of the first hdc. (10 hdc)
- Fasten off Color A. Weave in the starting tail from the Magic Ring.
- Petals (Color B – e.g., Pink):
- Join Color B with a sl st into any hdc from Rnd 1.
- Rnd 2: *Ch 3, work 2 dc in the same stitch, ch 3, sl st into the same stitch. Sl st into the next hdc.* Repeat from * to * 9 more times. (You will have created 10 petals, each made of ch3-2dc-ch3-sl st, with a sl st in between them into the next hdc.)
- Fasten off Color B.
- Greenery/Transition to Square (Color C – e.g., Green):
- Join Color C with a sl st into any sl st between two petals from Rnd 2 (these are the slip stitches you made into the Rnd 1 hdc stitches). This will be behind the petals.
- Rnd 3: Ch 2 (does NOT count as a stitch). Work 1 hdc in the same sl st.
- *Ch 3. Work 1 hdc into the next sl st between petals. (This creates a ch-3 arch between each set of hdc stitches, spanning behind the petals).*
- Repeat from * to * 8 more times. Ch 3. Join with a sl st to the top of the first hdc. (10 hdc, 10 ch-3 spaces)
- Fasten off Color C.
- Forming the Square (Color D – e.g., White):
- Join Color D with a sl st into any ch-3 space from Rnd 3.
- Rnd 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the same ch-3 space (this is your first corner).
- *Ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch-3 space (side).
- Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the next ch-3 space (corner).*
- Repeat from * to * 2 more times.
- Ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch-3 space. Ch 1. Join with a sl st to the top of the starting Ch 3. (4 corners of (3dc, ch3, 3dc), 4 side clusters of 3dc, 8 ch-1 spaces)
- Fasten off Color D.
- Outer Rounds of the Square (Color E – e.g., Pink or Main Bag Color):
- Join Color E with a sl st into any ch-3 space (corner) from Rnd 4.
- Rnd 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the same ch-3 space (corner).
- *Ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch-1 space.
- Ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch-1 space.
- Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into the next ch-3 space (corner).*
- Repeat from * to * 2 more times.
- Ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch-1 space. Ch 1, 3 dc into the next ch-1 space. Ch 1. Join with a sl st to the top of the starting Ch 3.
- Fasten off Color E, leaving a long tail (at least 12-18 inches / 30-45 cm) for seaming.
Note: The size of your finished square will depend on your yarn, hook, and tension. For a medium handbag, squares that are about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) across work well. You can add more rounds to the square following the granny square pattern if you want larger squares.
Part 2: Planning Your Bag Layout & Making Enough Squares
For a classic rectangular handbag made from granny squares, you’ll typically need 6 squares:
- Front: 1 square
- Back: 1 square
- Sides: 2 squares (one for each side)
- Bottom: 2 squares (seamed together to form a rectangle, or you can adjust the pattern to make one larger rectangular piece)
So, plan to make 6 identical flower granny squares following the pattern above.
Part 3: Assembling Your Flower Granny Squares
This is where your beautiful bag comes to life!
- Weave in All Initial Ends: Before you start seaming, use your yarn needle to weave in all the starting tails and tails from color changes within each square. This makes for a much neater finish and prevents unraveling later.
- Seaming Technique: For joining granny squares, a whip stitch or mattress stitch using a yarn needle creates a flat, almost invisible seam. A slip stitch join or single crochet join (working through both loops of both squares) creates a more prominent, decorative ridge. For a handbag, any of these are fine; choose the one you prefer the look of.
- Whip Stitch (Yarn Needle): Lay two squares flat with their wrong sides facing each other (or right sides facing each other if you want the seam on the outside). Thread your yarn needle with a long tail of yarn (can be a matching or contrasting color). Pass the needle through both loops of the corresponding stitches on each square, from one edge to the other, creating a clean, tight seam.
- Layout and Seam:
- Create the Body: Seam two squares together side-by-side (these will be your front and back panels). Repeat with another two squares.
- Create the Sides: Seam one square to the side edge of one of your front/back panels. Repeat for the other side.
- Form the Bag’s Tube: Join the two long strips (front/back with sides attached) together, creating a rectangular tube.
- Attach the Bottom: Take your remaining two squares, seam them together along one edge to form a rectangle for the bottom. Then, seam this bottom piece to the bottom edges of your assembled bag body. This closes the bag.
Part 4: Shaping the Top Edge & Adding the Handles
Once your bag body is fully assembled, you’ll finish the top opening and add the handles.
Option A: Integrated Handles (Seamless look, sturdy)
- Top Edge Finishing (Using a main color or accent color): Join yarn with a sl st to any stitch at the top opening of your bag.
- Round 1 (Top Edge Prep): Ch 1 (does not count as st). Work 1 sc in each stitch and 1 sc in each ch-1 space around the entire top opening of the bag. When you reach a corner ch-3 space, work 3 sc into it. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (This round helps to solidify the top edge and standardize the stitch count for handle placement).
- Round 2 (Handle Creation): Ch 1. Sc in the first several stitches (e.g., 8-12 stitches, adjust to center your handle).
- Ch 40-50 (This forms your first handle loop. Adjust this chain length for your desired handle drop – hold it up and test it out!).
- Sk the next 15-20 stitches on the bag top (this creates your handle opening).
- Sc across the next section of stitches (this is the top middle of the bag, between the handles).
- Ch 40-50 (second handle).
- Sk the next 15-20 stitches.
- Sc in the remaining stitches. Join with sl st.
- Round 3 (Handle Reinforcement): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc around the bag opening. When you reach a chain-loop handle, work sc stitches evenly into the chain loop (e.g., 1 sc per chain, or slightly more if needed to keep it flat). Continue working sc stitches on the bag body and the second handle. Join with sl st.
- Repeat Round 3 one or two more times for extra thick, sturdy, and comfortable handles.
- Fasten Off and weave in all ends securely.
Option B: Separate Strap Handles (Allows for hardware or different materials)
- Top Edge Finishing: Work 2-3 rounds of sc stitches (Ch 1, 1 sc in each st around, join with sl st) around the entire top opening of your bag. Fasten off and weave in ends. This creates a neat, sturdy top edge.
- Crochet Separate Straps:
- Strap Pattern: Ch 6 (adjust for desired strap width).
- Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (5 sc)
- Rows 2-X: Ch 1, turn. Sc across. Repeat until strap is your desired length (e.g., 20-30 inches / 50-75 cm).
- Make two identical straps. Fasten off, leaving long tails for sewing.
- Attach Straps: Using your yarn needle, securely sew the ends of the straps to the inside of the bag’s top opening. Position them symmetrically on the front and back of the bag. Stitch multiple times to ensure extreme durability.
5. Finishing Your Bag
- Weave in ALL Remaining Ends: This is the most crucial step for a professional-looking and durable bag. Take your time to weave in all yarn tails from color changes and seams securely into the fabric, preferably on the inside of your bag. Loose ends will quickly unravel, especially with a bag that gets daily use!
- Blocking (Recommended): While cotton bags hold their shape reasonably well, blocking can truly elevate your finished product.
- Gently wet your entire bag.
- Carefully squeeze out excess water (do not wring!).
- Stuff the bag with towels or newspaper to help it hold its shape. Lay it flat or stand it upright (if it can).
- Allow it to air dry completely. Blocking helps to even out your stitches, flatten your squares, and make your bag look perfectly shaped.
- Optional Lining: For added durability, structure, and to prevent small items from slipping through the granny stitches (which can be a bit open), sew a fabric lining into your crochet bag. This is highly recommended for any functional handbag. You can hand-sew it in using a regular needle and thread.
- Optional Closure: Add a magnetic snap closure, a button with a crochet loop, or a zipper to the inside of the bag for security.
You’ve now got a detailed guide to create a beautiful and unique flower granny square handbag! Enjoy the creative process and showing off your stunning handmade creation. What colors are you thinking of using for your flowers?
