It’s back to school season here in Georgia! That means it’s time to collect pencils, paper, book bags, and new outfits. The best way to set the stage for a new outfit is with the perfect accessory… Meet the Boho Belt Bag! Make one for your favorite fashionista middle or high schooler or college-aged student, and your favorite teacher to keep up with essentials.
The Boho Belt Bag is my take on this year’s hottest trend of modern fanny packs. Fanny packs have traveled from the 1980s to 2019 to be seen everywhere in every color, print, pattern, and new styles.
This was previously featured in the E’Claire Makery Back to School Blog Hop, and you can check out those awesome patterns by clicking the link.
What you’ll love about the Boho Belt Bag: you can choose any two colors to match your school pride, you can choose to use a strap or belt for wearing, there’s a practical pocket, and it holds it shape without using all single crochet and a smaller than recommended hook. Yes! You don’t have to make a ton of tiny, tight stitches to create a bag with shape.
Crochet All Summer Long
This design was featured in the Summer Stitch Along hosted by Needle Klankers. The event has ended, but check out some amazing crochet patterns that are perfect for the long days of summer. Don’t forget to use #summerstitchalong when sharing your completed projects!
Materials
- Fibranatura Naturlin, worsted weight (53% Cotton, 47% Linen, 170 yards / 155 meters, 3.53 ounces / 100 grams) Color A (Cream) and Color B (Taupe) 1 skein each, or any worsted weight yarn in 2 colors
- Hook US G/6 (4.00 mm) and H/8 (5.00mm)
- Yarn Needle
- 4 Stitch Markers
- Measuring Tapes
- 40 mm button
- 2 D Rings, 3/4 in.
- Purse Strap, leather belt, or nylon and buckles that are adjustable or long enough to fit around waist
- 9 in. x 12 in. Stiffened Felt Sheet
- Skip-cut rotary cutter or sharp object for poking holes
GAUGE
• 15 stitches = 4”, 10 rows = 4”
FINISHED SIZE
• 15.25 in. Length x 7 in. Wide, when flat and without final edging
PATTERN KEY
Ch: chain, sl st: slip stitch, sc: single crochet,
hdc: half double crochet, dc: Double Crochet,
FL: front loop, BL: back loop
SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES
Attach sides as you work
First sc: sl st through FL or BL or next st (counts
as ch 1), insert hook in next st, YO, pull up a
loop, YO, pull through two loops
Last sc: insert hook in st, YO, pull up a loop
(two loops on hook), insert hook in next st
(front or back of the body), YO, pull through st
and two loops
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Intermediate
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NOTES
- Pattern is written in US terms
- Pattern is written in five parts: Body, Lining, Button, Pocket and Sides
- Beginning ch 2 counts as first st, unless otherwise noted.
- Body is made flat and will be folded to create the shape of the bag.
- You can use your favorite belt to wear this bag, by creating a crochet rectangle that is 0.25- 0.50 inches wider than the belt you intend to use. Make the rectangle with the smaller hook, and attach to the back prior to attaching the felt lining.
- Sides are created by sl st to the front and back of the body while working each row. The sl st in the next stitch along the front or back counts as the ch 1 or the last YO to complete a sc.
- Sides of purse can be made in turned rows without attaching, and then seamed.
- Pictured bag has 6 sc for each side.
- Pocket can be made smaller or from felt or fabric, but should be determined before attaching the felt lining to the bag. If pocket is smaller or made from a different material than yarn, attach to the Felt lining before sewing the lining to the body.
- Felt lining is used to help shape the body of the bag. It can be eliminated, but will change the complete look.
- It helps to pull yarn tight after crocheting over the D Ring. You can choose to reinforce that area by cutting a long tail after the last row to sew around the D ring and the last row, but it is not necessary.
INSTRUCTIONS
Body
With H/8 hook, Ch 30
Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in same ch, hdc in next 26 ch, 6 hdc in next ch (creates rounded end), working along other side of ch, hdc in next 26 ch, 3 hdc in last ch, sl st to join to first hdc, turn – 64 hdc
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each of next 2 sts, hdc in next 26 sts, 2 hdc in each of next 6 sts, hdc in next 26 sts, 2 hdc in each of next 3 sts, sl st to join – 76 hdc
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next st, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) two times, *hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st) three times*, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) three times; repeat between *-*, change to Color B in last st, sl st to join – 88 hdc
Round 4: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 2 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) two times, *hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) three times*, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts) three times; repeat between *-*, sl st to join – 100 hdc
Round 5: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 3 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) two times, *hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st) three times*, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts) three times; repeat between *-*, sl st to join – 112 hdc
Round 6: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 4 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) two times, *hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st) three times*, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts) three times; repeat between *-*, sl st to join – 124 hdc
Round 7: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 5 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts) two times, *hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st) three times*, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts) three times; repeat between *-*, sl st to join – 136 hdc
Round 8: Alternating colors every 4 sts, ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in next 6 sts, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 6 sts) two times, *hdc in next 26 sts, (hdc in next 6 sts, 2 hdc in next st) three times*, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 6 sts) three times; repeat between *-*, sl st to join, turn – 148 hdc
Round 9: Alternating colors every 4 sts, ch 1, sc in first st, sc in each st around, sl st to join, FO – 148 hdc
Optional Belt Loop
Measure your favorite belt
Row 1: With smaller hook, ch 7, turn
Row 2: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch, turn – 6 sc
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in each st, turn – 6 sc
Row 4: Repeat Row 3 until piece is at least 2 rows taller than belt. FO with tail at least 24 in. long to use for sewing to body.
Attach Belt Loop
- Trifold Body to determine back section (middle of trifold).
- Place Belt Loop in center of back.
- Using tail, sew top of Belt Loop to back; carefully weave through Body to sew bottom of Belt Loop in place; FO
Felt Lining and Button
- Determine how you would like to fold the body over to create the front and top flap, place Stitch Markers along the sides to mark what will become the bottom of the bag (see pic below); then determine where you would like to attach the button, and attach the button.
- Cut Stiffened felt to 10” or length needed to cover the front and back,; and then trace the shape of the bottom of the piece, and cut to shape.
- Using the skip-blade rotary and sharp dowel, create holes around and then sew to body.
Pocket
First half with G/6 hook
Row 1: With Color A, ch 29, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across, turn – 28 hdc
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as st), hdc in first st, hdc in each st, turn – 28 hdc
Row 3 – 10: Repeat Row 2. Do not fasten off
Second Half
Row 1: With Color B, attach to first st of Row 1 of First Side, ch 2, hdc in first st, hdc in each st, turn – 28 hdc
Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in first st, hdc in each st, turn – 28 hdc
Row 3 – 10: Repeat Row 2
Fold pocket along bottom of Row 1 to match sides, insert hook in active loop, and sl st evenly down the side of pocket, then FO and weave in end. Complete on the second side, but do not FO.
Button Loop, Edging & Pocket Attachment
Determine where you want to attach pocket, and pull active loop of remaining Color through corresponding stitch of Row 9 of the body; turn so the outside of the Body is facing you while you work.
Row 1: With H/8 hook, ch 1 and sc in same st, *sc in each st and sl st of pocket for the next 10 sts*, sc in each st until you reach the center 2 stitches along the top flap, ch 7 (more or less ch to go around button, if different sized button is being used), skip 2 sts, sc in next st, sc in each st until you reach the other side of pocket, repeat between * – *, sc in each remaining st, sl st to join, FO.
Side
Make 2
Attach yarn in BL of st to the right of the Stitch Marker on the right when the outside of the Body is facing you. Follow Special Techniques to work sides and attach at the same time.
Row 1: With G/6 hook, sc in st with Stitch Marker (remove marker), sc in each st until the next marker, turn – 6 sc
Row 2 -15: sc in each st, turn- 6 sc
Row 16: Hold D ring along row on the inside of the bag, work sc in each st and around D ring, FO – 6 sc
Finishing
Sew in all ends, trim excess. Attach strap of choice.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the other awesome crochet designs to have your favorite student and teacher stylish all year long.
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17 Responses
This is brilliant! I love the idea of a belt bag. 🙂
Thank you! It’s a great option to not having pockets on an outfit but not wanting to carry a traditional purse.
A “duh” moment hit me when I saw your lining! Why have I never thought of doing that when making bags? Fantastic idea and thanks for the great pattern
You’re so welcome Ruth! I got the idea after digging through my craft supplies for something else 😊. Let me know what color(s) you make your Boho Belt Bag in.