These zig zag zipper tapestry crochet bags were so fun to make and are super handy for storing items! I love the different effects that you can create with tapestry crochet! Chevron stripes and fun colors are two things that I love, especially when combined together, so this is what inspired this design.
The first bag I made was the perfect size for storing a few smaller things (approx 6” wide x 3.5” tall). If you carry a larger purse, this size of bag would be perfect to put inside your purse and keep a few small things in an easy to find place. Here are my staple items: chapstick, kleenex, and lipstick (that I almost never wear, but like the idea of having with me, just in case). My second bag is a little larger (approx. 7 inches wide by 5 inches tall) and my almost 5 year old daughter already is set on using it as a purse and wants a strap on it!
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To make these bags, I started by making a chain and crocheting around it to make the base of the bag, then I added rounds of HDC stitches for the height. For the design, I followed a chart that you will see later on in this pattern. Following making the bag, I also added a zipper and a lining. These are completely optional, but you’ll find the instructions (and videos!) for those steps after the bag pattern.
If you would like to make these bags in different sizes, it’s easy! I’ve added instructions to make a “custom sized” bag later in the pattern as well.
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This pattern is available for FREE on this website. If you’d like an ad-free, printable PDF version, you may purchase it for a small fee from my Etsy or Ravelry shops. Thank you so much for supporting Loops & Love Crochet!
Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn – For the smaller bag, I used Red Heart Soft in Turquoise and Off White, and Red Heart Soft Baby Steps in Strawberry. For the bigger bag, I replaced the Turquoise yarn with Lilac (Red Heart Soft). You can also find this yarn on the Yarnspirations website here: Red Heart Soft yarn in Strawberry, Turquoise, Off White, and Lilac.
- 3.25mm crochet hook – I absolutely love and recommend my Clover Amour Hooks!!
- Yarn needle
- Zipper – I used a 7-inch zipper, but you could use any length depending on the size of bag you are making. It’s easy to cut a longer zipper if you don’t need the whole length. (See my video on attaching the zipper below).
- Optional: If you’d like to line your bag, you’ll need some fabric. The size of fabric will depend on the size of bag you are making (details farther in pattern).
Stitches Used:
- Ch – chain
- Sl St – slip stitch
- SC – single crochet
- HDC – half double crochet
Important Notes:
- Joined Rounds–At the end of each round, you will be joining the last stitch of the round to the first one with a slip stitch. Then you will chain 1 and start the next round in the same stitch. This will create a more hidden seam. Chain 1 stitches do not count towards stitch count.
- Color Changes – you will be chaining colors often in this pattern and carrying the colors you are not using along with you under your stitches. To change colors, complete the last half double crochet in the first color up until the last yarn over. Yarn over with the new color and pull through last step of the half double crochet stitch. So your HDC will go like this: yarn over, insert hook into last stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over with new color, pull through all loops on hook. Now you will be working in the new color until you change colors again. See the video tutorial on this page to see the color changes in action for this project.
- Size of project and size modifications – the smaller bag measures approximately 6.25 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall, with a base of 1.5 inches on the bottom of the bag. The bigger bag measures approximately 7 inches wide by 5 inches tall, with the same base of about 1.5 inches on the bottom of the bag. If you’d like to make your own custom size of bag, I’ve included instructions later in the pattern. Don’t worry, it’s actually pretty easy!
- Tapestry Crochet Tips – You will be carrying the inactive yarn colors behind the active yarn you are using. Try to keep your tension on the tighter side to help keep the stitches tightly together and hide the yarn you are carrying from showing between the stitches. The smaller hook size helps with this too. See the color change photo or video tutorial below to make smooth color changes. If the first stitch of the next round is in the new color, complete the color change as in the photo/video before joining with the slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
Smaller Bag Instructions
Finished size is approximately 6 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall.
Here is the chart that I created for the chevron pattern for the smaller bag. Each box counts as one HDC stitch. Note: the chart below is only 24 boxes wide, but your stitch count will be 72. Therefore, you will be repeating the chart a couple more times to get to the 72 stitches. Just use the chart as a guide so that you know what your repeat is for the round you are working on and how each end starts and ends. It’ll be easy to follow. You can also continue the pattern longer or taller, if you are making a custom-sized bag.
To read this chart, you will be starting at the bottom, on either the right or left side (both are the same) and working your way upwards. I have also provided written instructions for each round below, but if you prefer to use the chart, you can do that too.
*Note – the charts in the free pattern on this blog are watermarked, however, the charts in the ad-free PDF version are not.
The Pattern
Round 1: Chain 31, SC in 2nd chain from hook and in next 28 stitches, make 4 SC in last stitch. Now, working on the other side of the chain, SC in the next 28 stitches, make 3 SC in last stitch. Join to first SC with a slip stitch. Ch 1. (64)
Round 2: 2 SC in 1st stitch, SC in next 28 stitches, 2 SC in each of the next 4 stitches, SC in next 28 stitches, 2 SC in the last 3 stitches. Join, Ch 1. (72)
Round 3: HDC in each stitch around. Join, Ch 1. (72)
Rounds 4-14: Work these rounds in the back loops only. HDC in each stitch around. Join, Ch 1. (72)
*You will be using the chart above for the color change pattern needed to create the chevron stripes. I have also written out the color instructions for each round, just in case you find that helpful.
To make the same blue and pink bag as in the photo, A = Blue, B= Pink, and C = White.
Round 4: 1 C, 6 A, *2 C, 6 A. Repeat from * until one stitch is left. 1 C in last stitch.
Round 5: 2 C, 4 A, *4 C, 4 A. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 C.
Round 6: 1 B, 2 C, 2 A, 2 C, *2 B, 2 C, 2 A, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 B.
Round 7: 2 B, 4 C, *4 B, 4 C. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 B.
Round 8: 3 B, 2 C, *6 B, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 3 stitches are left. 3 B.
Round 9: This round is all done in color B.
Round 10: 1 C, 6 B, *2 C, 6 B. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 C.
Round 11: 2 C, 4 B, *4 C, 4 B. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 C
Round 12: 1 A, 2 C, 2 B, 2 C, *2 A, 2 C, 2 B, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 A
Round 13: 2 A, 4 C, *4 A, 4 C. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 A.
Round 14: 3 A, 2 C, *6 A, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 3 stitches are left. 3 A.
Round 15: Continue in A for this last round. Working in the back loops only, HDC in each stitch around. Join, fasten off. Weave in ends.
Now you have made the crochet bag portion of this pattern. If you’d like to add a zipper and/or a liner to your bag, continue the pattern below.
Bigger Bag Instructions
Finished size is approximately 7 inches wide by 5 inches tall.
Here is the chart that I created for the chevron pattern for the bigger bag. Each box counts as one HDC stitch. Note: the chart below is only 20 boxes wide, but your stitch count will be 80. Therefore, you will be repeating the chart a few times to get to the 80 stitches. Just use the chart as a guide so that you know what your repeat is for the round you are working on and how each end starts and ends. It’ll be easy to follow. You can also continue the pattern longer or taller, if you are making a custom-sized bag.
*Note – the charts in the free pattern on this blog are watermarked, however, the charts in the ad-free PDF version are not.
To read this chart, you will be starting at the bottom, on either the right or left side (both are the same) and working your way upwards. I have also provided written instructions for each round below, but if you prefer to use the chart, you can do that too.
The Pattern
Round 1: Chain 35, SC in 2nd chain from hook and in next 33 stitches, make 4 SC in last stitch. Now, working on the other side of the chain, SC in the next 32 stitches, make 3 SC in last stitch. Join to first SC with a slip stitch, Ch 1. (72)
Round 2: 2 SC in 1st stitch, SC in next 32 stitches, 2 SC in each of the next 4 stitches, SC in next 32 stitches, 2 SC in the last 3 stitches. Join, Ch 1. (80)
Round 3: HDC in each stitch around. Join, Ch 1. (80)
Rounds 4-20: Work these rounds in the back loops only. HDC in each stitch around. Join, Ch 1. (72)
*You will be using the chart above for the color change pattern needed to create the chevron stripes. I have also written out the color instructions for each round, just in case you find that helpful.
To make the same purple and pink bag as in the photo above, A = Purple, B= Pink, and C = White.
Round 4: 1 C, 6 A, *2 C, 6 A. Repeat from * until one stitch is left. 1 C in last stitch.
Round 5: 2 C, 4 A, *4 C, 4 A. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 C.
Round 6: 1 B, 2 C, 2 A, 2 C, *2 B, 2 C, 2 A, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 B.
Round 7: 2 B, 4 C, *4 B, 4 C. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 B.
Round 8: 3 B, 2 C, *6 B, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 3 stitches are left. 3 B.
Round 9: This round is all done in color B.
Round 10: 1 C, 6 B, *2 C, 6 B. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 C.
Round 11: 2 C, 4 B, *4 C, 4 B. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 C.
Round 12: 1 A, 2 C, 2 B, 2 C, *2 A, 2 C, 2 B, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 A
Round 13: 2 A, 4 C, *4 A, 4 C. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 A.
Round 14: 3 A, 2 C, *6 A, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 3 stitches are left. 3 A.
Round 15: This round is all done in color A.
Round 16: 1 C, 6 A, *2 C, 6 A. Repeat from * until one stitch is left. 1 C in last stitch.
Round 17: 2 C, 4 A, *4 C, 4 A. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 C.
Round 18: 1 B, 2 C, 2 A, 2 C, *2 B, 2 C, 2 A, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 1 stitch is left. 1 B.
Round 19: 2 B, 4 C, *4 B, 4 C. Repeat from * around until 2 stitches are left. 2 B.
Round 20: 3 B, 2 C, *6 B, 2 C. Repeat from * around until 3 stitches are left. 3 B.
Round 21: Continue in B for this last round. Working in the back loops only, HDC in each stitch around. Join, fasten off. Weave in ends.
Now
you have made the crochet bag portion of this pattern. If you’d like to add a
zipper and/or a liner to your bag, continue the pattern below.
Custom Size Bag Instructions
You can easily alter this pattern if you’d like to make a bigger or smaller bag. To change the bag width, you will need to change the length of your starting chain by adding or removing stitches in groups of 4. For example, the bigger size bag pattern above calls for a starting chain of 35. If you’d like to make your bag a little wider than that, you could start with a chain of 39 instead. Or if you’d like to make just a little change purse type size, you could start with a chain of 27 maybe.
Altering the starting chain by 4 stitches will ensure that, after increasing the first few rounds, your stitch count will be a multiple of 8, making the chevron tapestry crochet portion of this pattern work perfectly still. To change the bag height, you can just keep continuing the pattern upwards as long as you like, depending on how tall you want the bag to be. The charts above will help you see what the repeats are to continue your pattern.
The Pattern
Round 1: Chain your desired starting chain for the size of bag you’d like to make (according to the paragraph above). SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across until there is one stitch left. Make 4 SC in the last stitch. Now, working on the other side of the chain, SC in each stitch across until you have one stitch left (this will be the same stitch you started in). Make 3 SC in the last stitch. Join to the first SC with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 2: 2 SC in 1st stitch, SC in each stitch across, until you get the last 4 stitches around the end of the chain (this is where you made the 4 SC in the same stitch in the previous round). Make 2 SC in each of those next 4 stitches. Then continue SC in each stitch around until you have 3 stitches left. Make 2 SC in each of those last 3 stitches and join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round. Chain 1.
Round 3: HDC in each stitch around. Join, Ch 1.
Rounds 4-?? (the number of rounds will depend on how tall you want your bag to be): Work these rounds in the back loops only. HDC in each stitch around. After each round, join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round and chain 1.
*Use one of the charts above as a guide for the color change pattern. Continue the pattern around for each round and repeat for a tall as you want your bag to be.
Last Round: Continue working in the back loops only for this last round. HDC in each stitch around. Join to first stitch and fasten off, weave in ends.
Below you will find the instructions and tutorials for adding the zipper and lining to your crochet bag. You can view the videos below or also by visiting my YouTube channel. Check out (and subscribe to) Loops and Love Crochet on YouTube!
How to Sew on the Zipper
I made a video on how to sew on the zipper that you can see below. I’m just getting started on making crochet videos and I hope you like them! I have also included the written instructions here with a few photos. If you need more detail than the photos provide, definitely check out the video.
First, you will need a zipper long enough for the bag you made. If the zipper is too long, you can measure how much you need and then cut off the remaining length but leaving enough left so you still have some to tuck in the bag and sew around. If you cut your zipper, be sure to put a couple stitches across the teeth closer to the end so that the zipper doesn’t fall off while you’re sewing.
I used a yarn needle to sew on the zipper. For the thread, I used worsted-weight yarn but separated it into two strands, rather than using all 4 strands. You will see the stitches on the inside of the bag, however they will not be visible on the outside. If you choose to add a lining to your bag, you can also hide the stitches made from sewing on the zipper.
To start, I overlapped the two fabric pieces at each end of the zipper and put a few stitches through it to keep them together. Then I lined up the zipper at one end of my bag and made a few stitches to secure it. Next, you will continue making stitches along the zipper to attach it to your bag. Insert your yarn needle in and out of each crochet stitch around the top of the bag, passing through the zipper fabric with each stitch.
After you make a few stitches, it is easier if you open the zipper to make it easer to hold and line up your stitches. When you get to the end, add a few extra stitches around the end and then continue on along the other side of the bag. Finish off by adding a few stitches at the end of the zipper where you started and then secure and cut the yarn tails.
How to Add a Lining to a Crochet Bag
I made a video to help show you how to sew a lining inside a crochet bag. I hope you find it helpful! There are also written instructions below with a few photos. If you need more detail on how to sew in the lining than the photos provide, definitely check out the video.
To sew the lining, you will need a sewing needle, thread (I used white) and fabric. First, you will be cutting the fabric and preparing the bag liner. To do this, start by measuring your bag. Add about 1.5-2 inches to the bag width and double your bag height and then add about 1.5 inches to this measurement. These are the dimensions of the piece of fabric that you’ll need to cut. For example, my bag measured about 6.25 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. Therefore, I cut a piece of fabric that measured about 8 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall.
Start by folding the fabric in half, keeping the right side of the fabric on the inside. Then, using the bag width as a guide, make a small fold in each side and then sew up the sides. The liner should be about the same width as your bag.
Next, fold the top of the lining down about half an inch to an inch and then fit the liner into the bag. You can adjust how much the top of folded down when it’s in the bag. I lined up the top of the liner just over the stitches I made from sewing on the zipper. You may want pin the liner in place for easier sewing.
Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end of your thread. I decided to keep my thread doubled so it was more sturdy. Starting at one end of the bag, insert your needle in the lining and pull through to the knot. I hid the tail behind the lining, between the lining and the bag. Sew on the lining by sewing slip stitches passing through the liner and then in and out of the zipper fabric, and then back into the liner fabric. Make sure that your stitches through the zipper are below the crochet stitches on the other side. This is to ensure that they will be hidden and not visible on the outside of the bag. Continue making stitches around the whole bag before tying off and cutting your thread.
That’s it! You’re all finished! You should now have a beautiful and super cute crochet bag with a zipper and a lining. Have fun finding things to put inside the bag. You might have to make more of different sizes to hold ALL the things! 😉
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