Crochet Cade Crossbody

Materials:

Worsted Weight (4) Yarn, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Ecru (2 skeins or 330 yards) and Taupe (4 skeins or 620 yards)

E/3.5mm Crochet Hook

Needle

Scissors

Measuring Tape

Toggle/button

Gauge:

19 Sts by Rows 2-29 of main panel= 4×4”

Finished Measurements:

Bag- 14” W x 3” D x 15” T on long side and 9” T on short side

Strap- 57” L by 1.5” W

Notes:

This bag is made in 2 separate panels from the bottom up.

The Ch 1 does not count as a St.

When you change your colors at the end of the row, you are going to tie the 2 tails together into a knot. When you start the following row, crochet directly over 1 of the tails to hide it. This will give you less ends to weave in later on and I highly recommend it. You can crochet over both of the tails at the same time if you want but I found that it made my stitches slightly too bulky. I wove in the second end after finishing the panel.

Do not tug or pull your slip stitches tight, keep your tension relaxed and even.

This bag is functional without a lining or insert, however, if you want a sturdy bottom with pockets you have the option of adding an insert.

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):

Ch(s)- Chain(s)

Sc- Single Crochet

St(s)- Stitch(es)

Sl St- Slip Stitch

BLO- Back Loop Only

FLO- Front Loop Only

YO- Yarn Over

RS- Right Side

Color A- Ecru

Color B- Taupe

Pattern:

Main Panel (make 2) Be sure to read the notes above on changing colors and hiding ends before you begin.

With Color A-

Ch 72

Row 1: 1 Sc in second Ch from the hook and each Ch across, turn. (71 Sc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across, turn.

Switch To Color B-

Row 3: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, 1 Sl St (BLO) in each St across, turn. (71 Sl St)

Row 5: Ch 1, 1 Sl St (FLO) in each St across, turn.

Switch To Color A-

Rows 6-109: Repeat Rows 2-5.

Fasten off, leave a long tail for seaming on one of the panels. Weave in any remaining ends you have now before continuing.

Add Surface Stitches-

With Color A-

Create a slip knot but do not pull it tight to your hook, leave it as a small loop and remove from your hook. With your main panel RS up, insert your crochet hook from front to back into the 3rd St on Row 2. Place your loop back onto your hook and pull it through your panel to the front. Pull it up to the height of Row 5. Insert your hook into the 3rd St of Row 5, YO and pull up a loop. Insert your hook to the side of the St in Row 6, YO and pull up a loop. Bring your loop to the height of the top of Row 9 and insert hook. Repeat this same process up the entire length of the panel. When you reach the top of the panel, put your hook above Row 109, YO and pull through to fasten off your tail. You will make 23 Rows of Surface Slip Stitches. Leave 2 Sts in between each row made. Please view the video tutorial linked above to see exactly where I placed my hook and Sts.

Once your surface Sts are complete you are going to knot the ends and hide the yarn. The tails left at the bottom of the bag will be tied together in pairs of 2. Take one tail and the tail directly next to it, knot it at least 3 times. Do this across the bottom of the bag. There will be 1 extra tail that you will knot with the previous 2. Trim the ends down by the knot.

For the tails left at the top of the panel you will repeat the same process, tying them together. Now, we are working one more row of Sts across the top of the panel, crocheting directly over the knots and the tails.

With Color A and RS facing up, join yarn to the first St of the row.

Row 110: 1 Sc in each St across, being sure to crochet your Sts over the ends/knots made from the surface stitch rows.

Fasten off and trim access yarn. Repeat on second panel.

Strap-

With Color B-

Ch 8

Row 1: 1 Sc (BLO) in the second Ch from the hook and across, turn. (7 Sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, insert your hook into the BLO of the first St plus the BLO of the St from the row below and work 1 Sc, continue working Sc Sts across the row, putting your hook in the BLO of the current row and the BLO of the row below, turn. (7 Sc)

Repeat Row 2 until you strap reaches approximately 57”

You can adjust your strap length here if you want a longer/shorter strap. This stitch is very sturdy but may stretch an inch or so if you have heavy things in your bag.

Final Row: Ch 1, insert your hook under both the front and back loop of the first St, plus the BLO of the row below, work a Sc. Continue working Sc Sts across the row, putting your hook under both the front and back loop of the current St and the BLO of the St in the row below. Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing the strap to your bag.

Join Panels-

Place your 2 panels together, RS facing. With Color A, using your method of choice, sew the 2 sides and bottom of bag together. I sewed the sides together using my needle and I slip stitched the bottom of the bag together with my hook, working through the stitches of Row 1 on both panels.

Sew Strap-

Turn your bag RS facing out. You will now be sewing the strap to the outside of the bag.

Fold the outside corner of your bag up the side of your bag approximately 2” into a triangle shape. The top of the corner will line up to the 5th section of Color B. It’s helpful to temporarily pin in place. Take the strap and line it up the side of the bag. You have the option to place the bottom of the strap under the corner triangle or on top of the triangle. If placing on top (I did mine this way), you can sew the triangle corner down in place now with your needle. Take the bottom of the strap and overlap with the bottom corner of the bag approximately 1”. Use your needle and yarn tail and sew through the strap and the tacked up corner. Sew up the side of the bag being sure to keep the strap straight and even. It’s helpful to use the surface slip stitch rows as a guide. Sew on both edges of the strap all the way to the top of the first side of the bag.

Next, you will have to do the same thing on the other side of the bag. Repeat the same process with the corner of the bag and line your strap up making sure it’s not twisted. Sew the strap up the side again but this time, stop approximately 6” from the top of the bag and leave remaining portion of strap un-sewn. This will create the correct angle to have the top of your bag flop over into place.

Add Toggle/button and loop-

With Color A

Ch 17

Row 1: 1 Sl St in the second Ch from hook and each Ch across. (16 Sl St)

Fasten off.

Thread the loop you made through your bag on the side that will fold over, right next to the side seam. Sew together to form a loop and weave in ends.

Sew toggle/button to the front of your bag, about 1/3 over from the side and lining up to where the loop naturally falls.