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Crochet Checkered Bag Free Pattern

I was inspired to create this free crochet checkered bag pattern from Tammy Silver’s faux leather knot bag in Mollie Makes (issue 135).

I thought it looked really stylish and could visualise how well it would work crocheted in the checkered pattern.

To complete your look, you might find inspiration from one of the crochet checkered bucket hats in this free pattern collection.

crochet checkered back in dark blue and white

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The checkered crochet bag sits comfortably on your arm or from your shoulder.

crocheted checkered bag in navy and white hands off a hook on a white door

The Japanese knot gives added security by acting as a closure to the top of the bag.

crochet checkered knot bag on the arm of a white woman

The pattern is available in UK and US terms.

How the crochet checkered bag pattern is worked:

This crochet bag pattern is worked in rows with no decreases and is suitable for confident beginners.

The checkered pattern is crocheted in two contrasting colours. 

You will need to know how to change colours as we will be changing colours every 4th stitch throughout each row.

how to change colour crocheting mid row working with white and dark blue yarn
change colour on the last pull through of both loops on the treble (US double) crochet stitch
colour changed mid row from white to dark blue on the crochet checkered knot bag
ready to work with the new colour

The unused yarn is carried across each row. This gives the crocheted fabric an extra layer making it hard-wearing and longer lasting.

yarn being carried across the rows of the checkered crochet bag
Carrying the blue yarn across the row
carrying both yarns across the rows of the checkered crochet bag
Carrying the white yarn across the row

The checkered crochet bag pattern is worked in two panels that mirror each other.

front and back crocheted panels in blue and white yarn for the crochet checkered bag
front and bag of checkered bag crochet pattern mirror each other

Best gifts for crocheters? Get inspired with my gift guide

Related Crochet Bag Patterns

If you enjoy working with more than one colour you might like to check out the Bramble drawstring bagHearts and Stripes tote bag, the Rainbow tote bag and the Mosaic Bricks tote.

Granny square bag patterns include the Josephine tote, the easy granny square bag or the Canterbury Edition tote.

If you’re not sure which designs suit your skills, have a browse of this collection of crochet tote bag patterns or these easy granny square bags.

Yarn

I’m still using up my stash of Emu Classic DK yarn

Soft and smooth, it’s a premium acrylic yarn and it’s a great price!

Pattern Notes

  • I used two strands of DK yarn of the same colour together to add bulk.  You will get the same effect from using Aran/Worsted yarn.
  • Yarn A = light, neutral colour
  • Yarn B = contrasting colour
  • Four stitches and 2 rows of treble crochet (US double crochet) complete each check.  The colours are alternated to create the checkered pattern.  See chart.
  • The unworked yarn is carried across the rows because we will be changing colour every 4 crochet stitches.
  • Change colour on the 4th stitch of the check pattern by yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pick up the new colour and pull through the last two loops of the treble crochet (US double crochet) stitch.
  • Check your tension.  You will need to make sure your tension is tight enough so that the yarn you are carrying doesn’t show through. But not too tight that it pulls the fabric.
  • Keep checking you are carrying the yarn across the row otherwise you will have loops.  Don’t worry too much if this is on the wrong side of your work because this will be hidden inside the bag.
  • One handle is longer than the other.  The longer handle pulls through the shorter one which gives the Japanese knot.
  • Each handle ends on 1 row of the same colour yarn (instead of 2 rows) so that front and back continue the checkered pattern.
  • Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.
Text sharing how to get this crochet pattern

Level

Confident beginner

Materials

  • 5.5mm crochet hook
  • 100g Aran/Worsted of each contrasting colour – if you’re using two strands of DK you will either need to wind the yarn into two separate balls or use 2 x 100g
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry Needle

Stitches and Abbreviations

  • Ch – chain
  • t-ch – turning chain
  • tr – treble crochet (US double crochet)
  • rep – repeat
  • sl-st
  • ws – wrong side
  • rs – right side

Measurements

32cm (12.5 inches) width x 46cm (18 inches) long handle height

Images of how the pattern looks like on a device and printed

Pattern includes a PDF of the checkered chart

Crochet Checkered Bag Pattern

Pattern written in UK and US crochet terms (scroll down for US terms)

If you are a visual learner, you may prefer working from the charts.

crochet chart for the front panel of the crochet checkered knot bag
crochet chart for the back panel of the crocheted checkered knot bag

Written Instructions UK Crochet Terms

First Panel – front of bag

Ch 40 + 2 (t-ch)

Row 1:  With Yarn A tr into 3rd ch from hook, tr in next 3 sts changing to Yarn B on the last pull through, *4 x tr changing to Yarn A on the last pull through, 4 x tr changing to Yarn B on the last pull through * rep 6 more times, turn

Row 2: ch2, tr in base of ch, continue with the pattern from Row 1, change to Yarn B

Row 3:  rep row 1 but with Yarn B

Row 4: rep row 3

Rows 1 – 4 = one complete checkered pattern

Row 5 – 15 rep rows 1 – 4, alternating the blocks of colour (7 checkered patterns).  See chart.

Handle – right side (this is the shorter handle)

Row 16: ch2, tr in base of ch, 3 x tr in Yarn B, change to Yarn A, 4 x tr, change to Yarn B, 4 x tr, turn

Row 17: ch2, tr in base of ch3, 3 x tr in Yarn B, change to Yarn A, 4 x tr, change to Yarn B, 4 x tr, change to Yarn A , turn

Row 18:  – 21 rep rows 16 and 17 alternating colour blocks

Row 22: rep row 15

Fasten off.

Handle – left side (this is the longer handle)

Row 16, count 12 stitches and rejoin Yarn A.

Row 16 – 26 rep rows 16 and 17 from the right handle.

Fasten off.

Second Panel – back of bag

Mirror the pattern from the first panel.

Follow the chart above.

Finishing off

With WS facing inwards, place both panels together, lining up the long handles. Sew or sl st across the top of the handle, down the side seam, along the bottom, up the side seam and across the top of the handle.  Fasten off, weaving in the tail.

Turn the checkered knot bag RS out. 

Pull the longer handle through the shorter handle and your knot bag is complete.

checkered crochet bag in navy and white hanging off a newel post

Written Instructions US Crochet Terms

First Panel – front of bag

Ch 40 + 2 (t-ch)

Row 1:  With Yarn A dc into 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 3 sts changing to Yarn B on the last pull through, *4 x dc changing to Yarn A on the last pull through, 4 x dc changing to Yarn B on the last pull through * rep 6 more times, turn

Row 2: ch2, dc in base of ch, continue with the pattern from Row 1, change to Yarn B

Row 3:  rep row 1 but with Yarn B

Row 4: rep row 3

Rows 1 – 4 = one complete checkered pattern

Row 5 – 15 rep rows 1 – 4, alternating the blocks of colour (7 checkered patterns).  See chart.

Handle – right side (this is the shorter handle)

Row 16: ch2, dc in base of ch, 3 x dc in Yarn B, change to Yarn A, 4 x dc, change to Yarn B, 4 x dc, turn

Row 17: ch2, dc in base of ch3, 3 x dc in Yarn B, change to Yarn A, 4 x dc, change to Yarn B, 4 x dc, change to Yarn A , turn

Row 18:  – 21 rep rows 16 and 17 alternating colour blocks

Row 22: rep row 15

Fasten off.

Handle – left side (this is the longer handle)

Row 16, count 12 stitches and rejoin Yarn A.

Row 16 – 26 rep rows 16 and 17 from the right handle.

Fasten off.

Second Panel – back of bag

Mirror the pattern from the first panel.

Follow the chart above.

Finishing off

With WS facing inwards, place both panels together, lining up the long handles. Sew or sl st across the top of the handle, down the side seam, along the bottom, up the side seam and across the top of the handle.  Fasten off, weaving in the tail.

Turn the checkered knot bag RS out. 

Pull the longer handle through the shorter handle and your knot bag is complete.

Happy crocheting!

I'm passionate about helping others to find a centre of calm. On my mental well-being journey I've qualified in different 'therapies' including Mindfulness and as a Mental Health First Aider.  I took my love of crochet one step further too with a crochet diploma.  Join me on:  Substack | Twitter  |   Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  LinkedIn  |  Threads Read More Behind the Scenes

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