Easy Granny Stitch Crochet Bag / Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Tutorial
If you can slip-stitch, chain, and double crochet, you can make this bag.
The granny stitch is rhythmic (a.k.a. great TV-time therapy), wildly customizable, and impossible to put down.
Fair warning: you may finish one of these bags and immediately start three more—ask me how I know.
Click the link above to get the free printable instructions
Granny Stitch Materials & Tools
- Yarn – Med-weight (4) worsted—cotton, acrylic, or your stash of “fancy someday” skeins.
- Hook (4.0 mm / G)
- Scissors
- yarn
- tapestry needle
- D-Ring/straps optional
Abbreviations: ch (chain), sc (single crochet), dc (double crochet), sl st (slip stitch)
Granny Stitch Sizing Notes
There’s no set size or dimensions for this bag. You can make them any size and shape you want.
I find the best way to decide how wide you want the pouch to be is to create a chain about 1-2 inches shorter than you want (in increments of 3).
Once you begin adding the first few Rounds, the pouch will widen and then maintain that width.
- The foundation chain must be a multiple of 3 + 1.
- Finished desired width = foundation chain length + 1–2 inches.
- Because after the first two rounds, the bag will expand, giving you the desired width.
This measurement will vary for each individual, depending on their crochet style and gauge.
Step-by-Step Instructions
***If you would like to customize your project with striping, attach a new color when you slip stitch to join at the end of each Round.
1. Plan Your Color Palette
Dig into your yarn stash and arrange the skeins until the combination sparks joy.
The granny stitch bag can be made using several colors to create a single stripe, a double stripe, a solid color, or even a random color combination throughout.
(A great way to use up some yarn scraps.)
Line them up in working order—or don’t. Chaos stripes are a vibe.
2. Crochet the Base Chain
- Make a slip knot and chain any multiple of 3; add one extra chain (e.g., 24 + 1 = 25).
- Work sc in the second chain from the hook and in each ch down the first side.
- Rotate the chain; sc back along the second side, crocheting over the tail (this will prevent you from having to weave in all these tails at the end of the project).
This will create a nice base for the bag.
3. Granny Stitch
- Ch 3. (This will be the first dc in the first cluster of three)
- Work 2 more double crochet (dc) in the same stitch to make the first cluster.
- Skip 2 ch. *Work 3 Dc in the next stitch (to make the next cluster).
- Skip 2 ch. * Repeat from * to the end of that side.
- After your last cluster, ch1, and work another cluster of 3 into the same space. (Making two clusters in the same space, separated by a chain).
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU WILL BE MAKING TWO CLUSTERS IN THE SAME SPACE!
Skip two stitches and continue making clusters of three until you get to the beginning of that row. (Making the last cluster in the previous stitch on that side.
Slip stitch into the top of the first cluster stitch.
Granny Stitch/Changing Colors of yarn
(If you want to change colors at this point, bring the new color in when pulling the yarn through on the slip stitch.)
***Crochet over the tails for about 3-4 inches and then clip the excess off.
4. Keep Calm & Cluster On
– Remaining Rounds
To begin a new row: ch 3 and start the next cluster in the first db crochet of the last row.
Repeat This Process until you have the desired number of granny stripe rows.
- 3-dc clusters in the spaces between clusters from the previous round—no counting headaches.
Changing colors: On the last yarn-over of the final dc in a cluster, drop the old color, yarn-over with the new color, pull through, fasten tails snug, and crochet over them.
Instant clean change—no knot blobs.
5. Build the Bag Body
Crochet round and round until the bag is as tall as you like.
Watch the base straighten into sides after ~3 rounds—magic!
Embrace mistakes: If you make a mistake, pull the yarn back to the point of the error and continue. Perfection is not needed.
6. Optional Top Border
The granny stitch bag can be finished with a top border or not.
You can finish the bag top with a single crochet edge, a double crochet edge, or leave it as is.
Double-Crochet Edge: sl st to join, ch 2, dc in each stitch around the top edge for a relaxed rolled look.
Single-Crochet Edge: sl st, ch 1, sc around for a tighter, tidier finish.
Or leave it raw—the granny stitch is self-finishing.
7. Invisible Finish (No More Bulky Joins)
- Cut yarn, leaving a 10″ tail.
- Thread a tapestry needle.
- Insert the needle under both top loops of the first double crochet (dc) of the round; pull through.
- Insert the needle into the back stitch of the last double crochet.
- Gently pull the yarn until you get the same tension as the previous stitch. (Don’t pull it too tight or it will look wonky.)
- Weave the tail back and forth several times to secure it in place.
Admire the seamless “where-did-it-end?” edge.
You gotta love it, baby!
Adding A D-Ring (Optional):
- Using a corresponding color of yarn, thread a yarn needle and whip stitch around a D-ring on the edge of the SHELL approximately 1/2” below the top of the Final Round.
- Be sure to reinforce your D-ring with two layers of whip stitching.
- Fasten off and pull the tail to the inside of the bag.
To add a second D-ring for the purse strap, attach yarn to the opposite edge and repeat the process.
GET THE FULL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE A LINING FOR THE BAG AND HOW TO APPLY A ZIPPER.
Finishing & Next Steps
- Weave in any rebel tails. You shouldn’t have many, if any.
- Watch my tutorial, where I show you how to add a zipper and fabric lining.
—This yarn-meets-fabric is the cutest bag ever!
Ready to Stitch?
Grab your hook, pick your palette, and start crocheting.
Tag me @YouMakeItSimple on IG with #GrannyStitchBag so I can applaud your color genius.
How To Add A Zipper Lining
If you want to add a zipper and lining to your crocheted bag, it really is quite simple.
Here is the link to the video tutorial, where I walk you through the process step by step.
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