Crochet Granny Square Hand Bag Pattern

Create a sophisticated, romantic handbag by combining dimensional crochet techniques with structural support.

This project features a multi-layered rose motif that transforms into a classic textured granny square, complemented by durable side panels, a sturdy base, and elegant U-shaped bamboo handles.

Materials & Tools

Yarn

Brand/Type: Loopara 5-ply combed cotton yarn
Color Palette:
- Color A: Red (Color code 26) – For the rose petals
- Color B: Green (Color code 10) – For the leaves and initial square border
- Color C: Blue (Color code 45) – For the textured body of the granny square
- Color D: White (Color code 61) – For the outer border, clasps, and zipper connectors

Hardware & Notions

Crochet Hook: 3.0 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Handles: 2 U-shaped bamboo bag handles
Structure & Lining: Pre-punched faux leather bag bottom, plastic canvas grid panels, and coordinating lining fabric
Closures: 1 matching zipper (approx. 30–35 cm)
Tools: Sharp scissors, yarn needle, sewing needle, sewing thread, locking stitch markers, and positioning clips

Master Stitch Key & Abbreviations

ch / ch-sp: Chain / Chain space
sl st: Slip stitch
sc: Single crochet
hdc: Half double crochet
dc: Double crochet
tr: Treble crochet
dtr: Double treble crochet
inc: Increase (2 stitches in the same space)
dec: Decrease (Invisible single crochet decrease preferred)
FLO / BLO: Front loop only / Back loop only
FPdc / BPdc: Front post double crochet / Back post double crochet
bo (Bobble Stitch): A 4-dc cluster stitch. Yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (repeat 4 times in the same stitch until 5 loops are on the hook, yarn over, pull through all 5 loops).
picot: Ch 3, sl st into the top of the previous stitch.
RS / WS: Right side / Wrong side

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

Part 1: The Dimensional Center Rose (Make 1)

Using Color A (Red).

Round 1: Form a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Join with a sl st to the first sc, ch 1. (6 sts)
Round 2 [First Petal Tier – FLO]: Working in the front loops only, [sc, 4 dc] in the first stitch. Repeat from * to * 2 more times around. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (3 small petals)
Round 3 [Foundation Base – BLO]: Working behind the petals into the remaining back loops of Round 1, [sc, ch 3] 5 times evenly spaced around. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (5 ch-3 loops)
Round 4 [Second Petal Tier]: In each ch-3 loop around, work: [1 sc, 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc]. Join with a sl st in the space between the first hdc and dc of the round, ch 1. (5 petals)
Round 5 [Foundation Base]: Work 6 ch-4 loops behind the current petals, securing them with an sc around the stems of the previous rounds. Note: Add one extra ch-4 loop space between the dc and hdc on the left side of the third petal to increase the base structure. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (6 ch-4 loops)
Round 6 [Third Petal Tier]: In each ch-4 loop around, work: [1 sc, 1 hdc, 3 dc, 1 hdc]. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (6 petals)
Round 7 [Foundation Base]: Work 7 ch-4 loops behind the petals, anchoring with an sc. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (7 ch-4 loops)
Round 8 [Fourth Petal Tier]: In each ch-4 loop around, work: [1 sc, 1 hdc, 4 dc, 1 hdc]. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (7 petals)
Round 9 [Foundation Base]: Work 8 ch-5 loops behind the petals, anchoring with an sc. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (8 ch-5 loops)
Round 10 [Fifth Petal Tier]: In each ch-5 loop around, work: [1 sc, 1 hdc, 5 dc, 1 hdc]. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (8 petals)
Round 11 [Foundation Base]: Work 8 ch-6 loops behind the petals, anchoring with an sc. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (8 ch-6 loops)
Round 12 [Sixth Petal Tier]: In each ch-6 loop around, work: [1 sc, 1 hdc, 6 dc, 1 hdc]. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (8 petals)
Round 13 [Foundation Base]: Work 8 ch-6 loops behind the petals, anchoring with an sc. Join with a sl st. (8 ch-6 loops)
Round 14 [Seventh Petal Tier]: In each ch-6 loop around, work: [1 sc, 1 hdc, 7 dc, 1 hdc]. Join with a sl st, ch 1. (8 large petals)
Round 15 [Final Base Ring]: Work 8 ch-7 loops along the very back of the flower. Join with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in your ends safely.

       [Magic Ring: 6 sc]
               │
      (FLO Petals / BLO Bases)
               │
     [Tiers 1 to 7 Completed]
               │
   └── Final Base: 8 x ch-7 loops

Part 2: Foliage & Leaves

Attach Color B (Green) to the ch-7 loops at the back of the rose.

Leaf Layout: Work the following sequence a total of 4 times around the 8 background loops to build a square framework:
- Step A: In the first loop, work [ch 2, dc, tr, dtr, picot, tr, dc, ch 2, sl st]. Repeat this exact sequence a second time within the same loop to create a twin leaf cluster.
- Step B: Move to the next loop. Work [ch 4, dc, tr, picot, ch 3, sl st] to form the first half of a split leaf, then continue with [ch 3, tr, picot, dc, ch 4, sl st] in the same stitch space to finish the cluster.
Fasten off and secure all loose yarn tails.

Part 3: Transforming into the Granny Square

Continue with Color B (Green) for Round 1, then transition to Color C (Blue) and Color D (White).

Round 1 (Green): Join yarn to a leaf peak. Ch 1, [(sc, ch, 3 tr, ch, sc) into the first corner gap, ch 4, sc into the side gap, ch 1, 3 tr, ch 1, sc into the next space, ch 7 for the wide corner] repeat 4 times around. Sl st to join. Fasten off Green.
Round 2 (Blue): Join Color C. Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), [(2 dc, ch 1, bo, ch 3, bo, ch 1, 2 dc) in the corner space, followed by 17 dc evenly along the straight edge] repeat 4 times around. Sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 3 (Blue): [(Ch 1, bo, ch 1, bo, ch 3 in the corner, bo, ch 1, bo, ch 1) across the corner configuration, then work 21 bpdc across the previous round’s flat edge] repeat 4 times around. Sl st to join, ch 2.
Round 4 (Blue): [(Ch 1, bo, ch 1, bo, ch 1, bo, ch 3 in the corner, bo, ch 1, bo, ch 1, bo, ch 1), then work 21 bpdc across the flat edge] repeat 4 times around. Sl st to join. Fasten off Blue.
Round 5 (White): Join Color D. Ch 1, [work 5 sc into the ch-3 corner space, then work 33 sc in the BLO across the side] repeat 4 times around. Sl st to join, ch 1.
Round 6 (White): [Work 2 sc, 1 sc inc in the center corner stitch, then 35 sc along the side] repeat 4 times around. Sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for final assembly.

Part 4: Structured Side Panels (Make 2)

Using Color D (White).

Row 1: Ch 16. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, work 15 sc. Ch 3, turn. (15 sts)
Row 2: Work 14 dc across the row. Ch 3, turn.
Row 3 [Ribbed Pattern]: [1 FPdc around the next post, 1 dc into the next stitch] repeat across the row 7 times. Ch 3, turn.
Row 4 [Ribbed Pattern]: [1 BPdc around the next post, 1 dc into the next stitch] repeat across the row 7 times. Ch 3, turn.
Rows 5–22: Alternate Rows 3 and 4 until you complete 22 rows total, finishing on the right side (RS).
Border Rounds (Rows 6–9): Work a neat single crochet border around all four edges of the panel:
- Work sc evenly along the vertical edges (placing 2 sc into each double crochet row-end space).
- Work 15 sc across both the top and bottom foundational edges.
- Join with a sl st to the start, fasten off, and weave in ends.

Part 5: Prepared Bag Base (Make 1)

Using Color D (White) and the pre-punched leather base.

Place stitch markers at the four corner holes of the leather base.
Join yarn at any straight edge hole. Work 2 sc into every standard hole, and 3 sc into each marked corner hole. Join with a sl st, ch 1.
Turn the piece so the textured, bumpy side faces you (this will be the external bottom of your bag).
Work 108 sc in the BLO around the base perimeter to create a clean upward-turning edge. Sl st to join.
Finish by working 1 surface slip stitch round directly through the prepunched holes for extra structural reinforcement. Fasten off.

Part 6: Handle Attachment Clasps (Make 4)

Using Color D (White).

Row 1: Attach yarn directly around the lower bar of your U-shaped bamboo handle ring. Work 8 sc over the bar. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 2–6: Work 8 sc across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 7 (Shaping): Work 1 invisible dec, 4 sc, 1 invisible dec. Sl st to finish. Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail for sewing.

Assembly, Structuring & Lining

 ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │                  CUTTING THE MATERIALS                  │
 └────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
                              ▼
   [Plastic Canvas Grid]              [Lining Fabric]
   • Cut flush with sizes of          • Cut 1 cm wider on all
     crochet panels.                    sides for seam allowance.

1. Stabilizing with Plastic Canvas

Lay your completed crochet main panels and side panels flat over the plastic grid boards. Trace and cut out matching shapes.
Align the plastic grid directly behind the corresponding crochet pieces. Use positioning clips to hold the layers together securely.
Using a crochet hook and White yarn, insert your hook through both the crochet stitches and the plastic mesh windows simultaneously. Work a border of single crochets around the perimeter to join them into single, rigid panels.

2. Tailoring and Installing the Lining

Lay your cut lining fabric pieces over the matching plastic-backed panels. Fold the raw edges of the fabric inward by 1 cm to hide the frayed ends.
Pin the folded fabric directly along the interior borders of your panels.
Using a sewing needle and matching sewing thread, blind-stitch the lining down along the final row of single crochets. Ensure no stitches pierce through to the right side of the crochet work.

3. Joining the Panels Together

Side and Main Panel Seams: Align the main granny square panels with the structured side panels using stitch markers. Join them using the mattress stitch:
- Pick up only the outer loops (half stitches) from each side, matching them one-to-one.
- Keep your yarn tension relaxed so the seams do not pull or warp the shape of the bag. Finish with a secure slip stitch and weave in the ends.
Bottom Base Seam: Align the assembled upper body with the prepared leather base. Join them using a tight whip stitch, passing your sewing needle through both complete loops of the matching stitches. Pull firmly to ensure a flat, heavy-duty seam.
Top Edge Finish: Connect your yarn to the top opening of the bag and work 1 continuous round of single crochet to create a clean, uniform rim.

Final Touches

Zipper Installation

Crochet Zipper Flaps: Using Color D, ch 43. Work 40 dc across for 4 consecutive rows to make a narrow fabric strip. Repeat to make a second strip.
Sew your zipper securely between these two crocheted strips using a close whip stitch.
Attach the entire zipper assembly to the inner rim of the bag opening using a mattress stitch for a clean, hidden finish.

Handle Mounts

Position the 4 handle loops symmetrically onto the exterior face of the bag opening.
Align the bottom edge of the white clasps with the top of the white border section on the main panels.
Thread a yarn needle with the reserved 30 cm tails and sew through all layers (crochet, grid, and lining) using a heavy-duty box stitch pattern ($X$ inside a square) for maximum strength. Knot securely inside the lining and hide the remaining yarn tails.