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I love making and designing crochet bag patterns. I have always loved how easily crochet lends itself to creating sturdy fabrics that are perfect for bags and actually work as well as look pretty! This Denim Envelope Bag can be used as a shoulder bag, a crossbody bag, or even a clutch.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure and privacy policy for details.
Scroll down for the crochet shoulder bag free pattern, or purchase an ad-free, printable PDF version here:
About the Denim Envelope Bag
If you’re looking for versatile crochet patterns for purses, this one is perfect. You can use it as a crochet shoulder bag or a crochet crossbody bag – or tuck the strap away and it becomes a great crochet clutch bag too!
I’ve used this bag so much for just being out and about as it’s the perfect size for the essentials and I often wear it as a cross body bag when I’m out walking the dog or with the children. I’ve also popped a vintage brooch on it and worn it as a denim clutch bag at a wedding! It’s so easy to dress up or down!
The bag is constructed in three textured crochet sections – the Front Body, the Back Body/Front Flap (worked in one piece) and the Joining Flap. The Flap is then seamed along the bottom and sides of the panels and the strap is added using the metal D rings.
It’s so simple and so stylish.
Yarn
I used Deramores Studio DK to create my bag which is 100% acrylic, 100g/250m.
You will need 2 balls of Blue Velvet.
I used a soft acrylic to make it feel lovely and luxurious but if you want to give it a more summery feel then a great alternative would be to use Deramores Cotton DK which is 100% cotton, 50g/105m.
Tension and Sizing
18.5 st and 23 rows = 4in x 4in (10cm x 10cm) over 4 row pattern repeat.
The finished bag measures 8.25 in x 5.5 in (21cm by 14cm).
Materials
Along with the yarn to make your crochet shoulder bag (or crochet clutch bag depending on how you want to wear it!) you will also need:
- 3mm (US D) crochet hook – my favourites are Furls Streamline Swirl crochet hooks or Clover Amour crochet hooks.
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers if desired
- A pair of 2 silver D ring clips, 40mm
- Silver chain, 110cm long
- Magnetic clasp
Pattern Options
Get this crochet shoulder bag pattern free in this blog post – just scroll down! You can also purchase an ad-free, printable PDF with added extras in my pattern stores:
Don’t forget to join HanJan Crochet to receive regular discount codes (and more free patterns!) and Pin this Denim Envelope Bag crochet pattern to your crochet Pinterest board!
Glossary/Abbreviations (US Terminology)
- sc – single crochet
- dc – double crochet
- ch(s) – chain(s)
- ss – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- rep – repeat
- FL – front loop
Special Stitches
UK: 2-tr cluster (2tr-cl)/ US: 2-dc cluster (2dc-cl) –
(Yarn round hook/yrh, insert hook in space/st indicated, yrh, and draw through two loops) twice, inserting the hook in the same space/st each time, yrh and draw through all loops on hook.
UK: 4-tr cluster (2tr-cl)/ US: 4-dc cluster (2dc-cl) –
(Yarn round hook/yrh, insert hook in space/st indicated, yrh, and draw through two loops) four times, inserting the hook in the same space/st each time, yrh and draw through all loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
- A ch1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.
- Always turn your work after each row unless instructed otherwise.
- The crochet shoulder bag pattern includes three sections: the Front Body, the Back Body/Front Flap and the Joining Flap.
Denim Envelope Crochet Bag Pattern
This free pattern is in standard US crochet terms. The printable PDF has both US and UK terms.
FRONT BODY
Foundation chain: ch40
Row 1: RS: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each to end [39] Row 2: ch1, sc in each to end
Row 3: ch1, sc in 1st st, *4dc-cl in next st 2 rows below, sc in next st; rep from * to end
Row 4: ch1, sc in 2sts, *2dc-cl in next st 2 rows below, sc in next st, rep from * to last st, sc in last st
Row 5: ch1, sc in each to end
Row 6: Rep Row 5
Rows 7-34: Rep Rows 3-6 another 7 times.
Fasten off.
BACK BODY AND FRONT FLAP
Foundation chain: ch40
Work Rows 1-6 as given for Front Body.
Rows 7-62: Rep Rows 36 another 14 times. Fasten off.
JOINING STRIP
Foundation chain: ch13
Row 1: RS: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each to end [12] Row 2: ch1, ss in FL of each to end
Row 3: ch1, sc in FL of each to end
Rows 2 and 3 create the pattern.
Rows 4-141: Rep Rows 2-3 another 69 times.
Fasten off.
How To Join Your Crochet Bag
Sew the D clips to each end of the Joining Strip by slotting the end of the strip through the clip and sewing together on the inside to secure.
With RS together and WS facing out, pin the Joining Strip to Front Body, leaving the D clips above. Sew in place.
With RS together and WS facing out, pin the Joining Strip to Back Body, leaving the D clips above. Sew in place.
Turn right side out, attach the chain strap and add the magnetic clasp to the centre front.
Your crochet bag is now ready for a night out on the town!
Join HanJan and Share Your Crochet!
It’s an honour to be able to create and share my free crochet patterns with you. I’d love to stay connected and send you regular discount codes and free patterns! Please sign up for my subscriber list to get a free gift right now!
I look forward to seeing your finished crochet projects, especially this easy crochet pattern, so please share them with me in the HanJan Crochet Facebook group or on Instagram and tag #hanjancrochet.
Other Free Crochet Patterns You Might Enjoy:
- The Classic Cowl (free pattern and free PDF to download!)
- The Summer Stripes Bag (free pattern with ad-free PDF option)
- The Eyelet Lace Tee (free pattern with ad-free PDF option)
