Circle clutch bag

Circle Clutch Bag by Crafting Wheel

Project Overview

The Circle Clutch Bag is a beginner-friendly crochet project designed to create a compact, circular handbag with a comfortable hand strap. This downloadable PDF pattern combines traditional crochet techniques with a creative plastic cord foundation to produce a finished bag measuring 25 centimeters in length with a 33 centimeter hand strap.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a functional circle clutch bag suitable for carrying small essentials. The bag features a circular body constructed through incremental crochet increases and is completed with a hand strap for carrying. The finished piece combines structural plastic cord with crocheted yarn to achieve both durability and aesthetic appeal.

Materials Required

• Yarn: ReTwisst T-shirt Yarn in Jumbo weight (0-4 wpi), requiring 140 to 142 yards (128 to 130 meters) total
• Plastic Cord: 2.70 meters for each bag part and 2.70 meters for the hand strap
• Crochet Hook: 8.0 mm (size L)
• Additional Supplies: Scissors, glue, and a sewing needle for assembly

Crochet Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginners. The construction begins with a unique foundation method using plastic cord, which is prepared by creating three holes and threading yarn through them before twisting the cord into a circle shape and securing it with yarn.

The primary stitches used throughout the pattern are:

• Single Crochet (sc): The foundational stitch used in every round to build the circular fabric
• Back Loop Only (BLO) Work: Applied in Round 2 to create texture and structure by working exclusively through the back loop of each stitch
• Increases: Strategic placement of double single crochets (2 sc in same stitch) distributed throughout rounds to expand the circular shape from 9 stitches to the final stitch count

Pattern Structure and Progression

The bag is constructed in five rounds of increasing complexity:

• Round 1: Nine single crochet stitches are worked into the plastic cord circle foundation
• Round 2: Working in back loop only, stitches are doubled to create 16 single crochets, with a marker placed to maintain stitch count accuracy
• Round 3: A repeating pattern of single crochet followed by double increases yields 48 stitches
• Round 4: Three single crochets followed by a double increase, repeated across the round to reach 64 stitches
• Round 5: A more complex pattern alternating two single crochets with five single crochets continues the expansion

Skill Level and Yarn Considerations

Rated as a beginner project, this circle clutch bag requires only fundamental crochet knowledge and familiarity with single crochet stitches and basic increases. The use of Jumbo weight yarn and a large 8.0 mm hook means stitches work up quickly, making this an ideal project for those new to crochet or seeking a fast completion time.

The pattern is presented in English using standard US crochet terminology, ensuring accessibility for English-speaking crocheters. The combination of plastic cord structure with T-shirt yarn creates a unique textured finish while maintaining the beginner-appropriate skill requirements.