Harlequin Bag in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Harlequin Bag Crochet Pattern – Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Free Downloadable PDF)

The Harlequin Bag (Pattern M23251 TC) is a stylish crocheted tote-style bag designed by Lion Brand Yarn Company and released in 2024. It is a beginner-friendly project rated Easy, making it an excellent choice for crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to explore a simple colorwork pattern. The finished bag has a circumference of approximately 24 inches (61 cm) and a body length of approximately 9 inches (23 cm), not including the handles — a practical everyday size for a market bag, beach bag, or casual carry-all.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single crocheted bag worked in one continuous piece from the base upward, with separately constructed handles that are sewn on after completion. The bag features a striking Harlequin stitch pattern across its body, created through a multi-color approach using three coordinating shades. The geometric, diamond-like visual effect of the Harlequin pattern gives the bag a bold, eye-catching look despite being achievable with beginner-level skills.

Materials – Yarn, Hook, and Notions

• Yarn: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (Art. #761), a worsted-weight, 100% cotton yarn known for its smooth texture, stitch definition, and durability — ideal for structured bags that need to hold their shape.
• Color A – #158 Goldenrod: 2 balls (the primary color used for the base and body structure)
• Color B – #098 Ecru: 1 ball
• Color C – #103 Pink Lemonade: 1 ball
• Crochet Hook: Size F-5 (3.75 mm)
• Notions: Lion Brand stitch markers, Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle for seaming and weaving in ends

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 2 shells = approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) over the Harlequin stitch pattern as worked in the body rounds. Checking gauge before beginning is recommended to ensure the finished bag matches the intended dimensions.

Construction Techniques

• Base construction: The bag base is worked flat, back and forth in rows of single crochet (sc), creating a rectangular foundation.
• Body construction: The body of the bag is worked directly onto the base and transitions into rounds rather than rows. The first rounds are worked in continuous spiral rounds of single crochet (128 stitches total), and then the work shifts to joined rounds for the Harlequin stitch pattern section.
• Handle construction: The handles are made separately in continuous spiral rounds of single crochet and then sewn onto the bag using the blunt needle.
• Colorwork: The three-color palette is used to create the Harlequin diamond pattern across the body of the bag, a technique that involves working with multiple yarn colors across rounds to produce a geometric, repeating motif.

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) – used throughout the base, the transition rounds, and the handles
• Half double crochet (hdc) – referenced in the pattern abbreviations
• Double crochet (dc) – used within the Harlequin shell and decrease stitch constructions
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for joining rounds in the body section
• Chain (ch) and chain spaces (ch-sp) – used within the Harlequin stitch pattern structure
• dc5tog-over-6 – a specialized decrease stitch where 5 double crochets are worked together across 6 stitches (with one skip), drawing through all loops to create a gathered, angled decrease that contributes to the Harlequin diamond effect
• dc6tog-over-