Hi everyone! :)
Today I’m going to show you how to crochet your very own fat bottom bag! Hurray! :)
Alright, what do you need?
Supplies
- 6 skeins of Scheepjes Soft Fun Denim yarn (I used colours 501 (navy blue), 502 (grey), 507 (cream), 508 (light brown) and 510 (dark brown), and I used 2 skeins of the dark brown)
- A square piece of (cotton) lining fabric that measures roughly 55cms/22″
- Embellishments like ribbons, lace, buttons, beads and anything you can find that you think will work with your bag
- Circular bag handles (mine were bamboo)
- Fabric scissors and regular scissors
- A 4mm crochet hook
- A darning needle
- Sewing thread (and a sewing machine)
Let’s get started! :)
Step 1.
Start by making a giant granny square. Everyone has their favourite ways of making one; I made mine with no chains in between the clusters and 1 chain in each corner. If you don’t know how to make a granny square, I recommend this tutorial.
For my granny square, I changed colour every 2 rows. I picked the order of the colours at random.
Make your granny square as large as you want; mine was 30 rows and about 50cms in width.
When you’re finished, sew in the ends with your darning needle.
Step 2.
Alright, let’s line this baby! :) Wait, already? Don’t I have to finish my bag first? Nope! Because we have such a nice square shape right now, it’s the perfect time to add a lining. You could of course wait with putting in the lining until the bag actually looks like a bag, but it’s much easier adding a lining to a square piece of fabric than into a scrunched up bag. Trust me! ;)
If your granny square looks a little ‘warped’, it might be a good idea to block it into shape first. I did, and it made all the difference!
Grab your fabric, and measure it against your square. Cut it a little bigger than your square to account for the seam allowance. Pin it to the back of your granny square (you want the fabric to cover the back of the stitches, because the right side will be the outside of your bag), with the edges folded under. Sew the fabric to your granny square by hand or using your sewing machine.
Step 3.
If you were planning on sewing lace to your bag; now is the time! It’s easier sewing lace to your bag while it’s still square and flat :) I added 4 layers of lace, but you don’t have to go crazy like I did.
Pin the lace to your bag and sew it on by hand or by using your sewing machine.
I added lace to the front and back of the bag; meaning that I sewed lace to the top edge and bottom edge of my square, leaving the sides empty.
Step 4.
We are all done with the sewing, yay! Now it’s time to turn this embellished square into an actual bag.
Grab your crochet hook and the dark brown yarn. We’re going to crochet the left and right edge of the square first. If you sewed lace to your bag, work the two sides that don’t have lace. (unless you want your bag to have lace on the sides too, and that’s totally fine!)
From right to left, insert your hook into the first corner and work a single crochet stitch. Work the next one into the middle stitch of the first granny cluster. Work the next one in between this granny cluster and the next cluster. Go along the side like this until you reach the corner again, work 1 single crochet stitch in the corner space. Chain 1, and turn. Now work 1 single crochet into each stitch across. Chain 1, and turn. Work single crochet rows until you have 10 rows of single crochet stitches. Leave a long tail.
As you can see, the square is starting to gather a little bit, because we skipped so many stitches. This is a good thing! :)
Grab your darning needle and thread the long tail. Flip over the edge you just made, and sew the first row to the last row.
Repeat this step for the opposite edge of your square.
Step 5.
Alright, time for the top and the bottom! :)
Grab your crochet hook and the dark brown yarn. We’re going to crochet the top and bottom edge of the square.
From right to left, insert your hook into the first corner and work a single crochet stitch. Work the next one in between the next two granny clusters. Go along the side like this until you reach the corner again, work 1 single crochet stitch in the corner space. Chain 1, and turn. Now work 1 single crochet into each stitch across. Chain 1, and turn. Work single crochet rows until you have 10 rows of single crochet stitches. Leave a long tail.
The bag is starting to gather a LOT now, and this is what we want! It’s what gives this bag it’s nice fat bottom.
Grab your darning needle and thread the long tail. Grab one of the bag handles. Flip over the edge you just made, and sew the first row to the last row, around the bag handle.
Repeat this step for the opposite edge of your square.
Your bag is now looking like an actual bag! Good job! :)
Step 6.
Time for more embellishments! :)
I created 10 of these puffy flowers, for which you can find the free pattern here. I modified the pattern a little bit by starting with 12 double crochet stitches instead of single crochet stitches.
I sewed them to the front and back of my bag, with wooden buttons as the centers.
I also tied some ribbons to the sides of the bag; and I strung some beads onto thin strips of ribbon and tied those to the front of the bag.
And that’s it; you now have a gorgeous, wonderfully embellished, fat bottom bag! :)
Let me know what you think of this tutorial guys; I can’t wait to see your amazing bags!
xo,
wink

May 20, 2015 at 2:12 pm
Wow! Thanks wink looks lovely x
May 20, 2015 at 2:23 pm
lovely x
May 20, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Thank you so much for this. Brilliant idea to line before crocheting together! You are so clever.
May 20, 2015 at 2:42 pm
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
May 20, 2015 at 3:10 pm
Wow totally awesome bag, I have made so many of your mandalas, plus all the ones in simply crochet mag. I taught myself to crochet two years ago so I could use my makes in my mixed media art. I have a back problem so when it gets bad I can still make art on the sofa by crocheting. I really want to try this bag, just looked for supplies (deramores is by best friend lol) but the bamboo handles come in different sizes, which did you use? Happy Crocheting :-) Kezzy xxx
May 20, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Thank you so much for this pattern. I absolutely loved the purse the minute I saw it. I hope my purse will come out as pretty as yours. What a great idea utilizing the good old granny square.
May 20, 2015 at 3:39 pm
lovely!
May 20, 2015 at 4:19 pm
That is gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing. I so want to make one!
May 20, 2015 at 6:35 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this – its a gorgeous bag – next on my list hopefully
May 20, 2015 at 9:13 pm
What a clear description and beautiful design!!!! Thanks a lot!!!
May 20, 2015 at 9:44 pm
You have designed and made a gorgeous bag. I love it and can’t wait to make one with your clear tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Have a nice day, Margaret
May 21, 2015 at 4:10 am
Very clear and easy to follow directions, wonderful graphics for this embellished fat bottom bag! Thank you for sharing.
May 21, 2015 at 8:38 am
Awesome .. thanks for this great tutorial!
May 21, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Followed a link from Knitting Paradise. Love your bag, and it’s achievable! One thing I’m unsure about, Are the sides joined in any way? Maybe a ribbon through the side casings to gather them up? I bet you’re going to say it tells me to do something like that but I can’t see it. However, that’s not unusual for me :-)
PS Love your blog too.
May 21, 2015 at 3:22 pm
So cute!! I have never thought to put lace on my crocheted bags. Gonna have to try that.
May 22, 2015 at 1:38 pm
The bag is so beautiful! I had never really thought about sewing crochet to fabric before. This project is very inspiring.
May 23, 2015 at 7:26 am
Your bag definately has Parisian chic! Your tutorial is very clear and well written. I have made this bag before and my version is more girly and pink. If you would like to see here you will find it: https://www.flickr.com/photos/113079199@N03/12437603063/
May 23, 2015 at 4:20 pm
Wonderful tutorial and such an awesome bag! I am so excited to make one. I think it will be an excellent tatting project bag. Thank you for sharing!
May 25, 2015 at 4:16 pm
I love this bag. The purse is so cute. I’m looking forward to making this bag to take with me for my 40 year class reunion. The flowers around the buttons is so cute. Thank you for sharing the pattern.
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May 28, 2015 at 1:44 am
Re: side join – does “flip over the edge…sew the first row to the last row” mean join the sc rows to the opposite side of the granny? I see no instruction on how to join the sides.
Kind of embarrassing since only one other person isn’t getting it. What am I missing?
June 13, 2015 at 6:08 am
Melodee, the sides area left open. No side seam. I just finished mine and it’s fabulous. The sides are too open though.
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May 31, 2015 at 8:07 pm
Love love love!
June 2, 2015 at 3:23 pm
WOW! Stunning, thank you :) x
June 4, 2015 at 8:12 pm
What a lovely bag and wonderful tutorial! Thank you for sharing that. :)
June 12, 2015 at 1:18 pm
I am just finishing the square. I am in love with this bag. I will post a picture when I finish. I am making the bag to match a hat I have made. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
June 13, 2015 at 6:09 am
Thank you so much for the pattern. The sides through me off a little but I got help from Kimberly (thanks hon) and I just finished the bag. FABULOUS. where can I post pictures to show you?
June 17, 2015 at 9:00 pm
What a beautiful pattern and so clear to follow and so much fun to do!!! It really turned on my creative playful side! Thank you so much!!!
Where can I put a picture for you to see?
June 18, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Wow! What a very beautiful pattern.Could you tell me what size your handles you used? Thanks. And love your book :-).
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July 3, 2015 at 2:10 am
I was in a slump with crocheting and have been in this situation before but knew it would pass. After reading about Wink and seeing this pattern I have been inspired to make this in her memory and donate the proceeds to a mental health group somewhere in my area. She will be missed terribly.
July 12, 2015 at 3:57 pm
I too am inspired to make this and think about Wink. What an amazing person we have all lost. Although I didn’t know her personally, the creative world has lost a true gem.
August 4, 2015 at 12:55 pm
I come to ‘see’ Wink and still think of her – often – in spite of not knowing her personally.
Wink, you’ve touched people all over the world – and you are missed.
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