Boho Crochet Tote Bag DIY Kit Tutorial
Create a Handmade Artwork That Makes You Fall in Love at First Sight
A Handmade Artwork at First Sight
This floral shoulder bag has captured the hearts of countless craft enthusiasts with its unique three-dimensional petal shape and bright color matching. It is not only a practical everyday storage bag but also a stylish accessory full of spring vibes. This tutorial will guide you step by step on how to use a crochet hook and cord to weave blooming flowers into a beautiful shoulder strap, and finally complete this one-of-a-kind floral shoulder bag.
I. Spring Overture: Why Choose This Floral Shoulder Bag?
Among numerous crocheted bag styles, floral-themed designs always stand out. The charm of this shoulder bag lies in its clever combination of 21 three-dimensional crocheted flowers and 42 small rings into three flexible yet sturdy flower straps. The final product measures approximately 40 cm wide at the top, 30 cm tall, and 30 cm wide at the bottom – a moderate size that meets daily storage needs without being too bulky.
More importantly, the entire production process is full of creative fun. From crocheting the first petal to stringing flowers into straps and finally assembling the bag, each step is like completing a three-dimensional puzzle. The sense of accomplishment after finishing it, along with the compliments you receive when carrying it, will be the best reward for this craft time.
II. Preparation: Materials and Tools List
Before starting to crochet, please prepare the following materials and tools to make your production process smoother.
Main Materials
- Polyester Cord: The tutorial uses 4mm thick polyester cord, which is stiff and structured, providing good support for the three-dimensional flower shape.
- Semi-finished Bag Base: Prepare a finished bag base of 25cm × 10cm with 62 holes, which will greatly simplify the making of the bag base.
- Decorative Accessories: Including wooden beads (about 1.8cm in diameter), decorative beads, 4cm diameter hollow rings, and bag strap buckles.
Essential Tools
- Crochet Hook: A 4.5mm crochet hook, which is most suitable for use with 4mm cord.
- Sewing Needle: Used for hiding thread ends and joining parts.
- Matching Sewing Thread: Used for sewing between flowers and rings.
- Stitch Markers: Very useful for marking positions on the bag base.
- Scissors
III. Start with a Flower: Core Flower Crochet Tutorial
All beauty starts from the basics. Let's first learn how to crochet a single three-dimensional flower with a diameter of about 10-11 cm.
Basic materials and starting stitch illustration for flower crocheting
Close-up of crocheting process details
Effect of a completed single flower
Flower Crochet Steps:
- Round 1 (Flower Center): Start with a magic ring, crochet 18 single crochets (sc) inside the ring, and end the round with a slip stitch.
- Round 2 (Petal Skeleton): Repeat the combination of "3 double crochets (dc), then 6 chain stitches (ch)" for a total of 6 groups. After completion, you will get 6 "mesh holes" made of chain stitches.
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Round 3 (Blooming Petals):
- First, make 1 slip stitch to the left at the center of the 3 dc from the previous round.
- Next, follow this pattern: Crochet 12 dc in each "mesh hole", then make 1 slip stitch at the center stitch of the next 3 dc. Repeat this until all 6 mesh holes are done.
- After crocheting 12 dc in the last mesh hole, cut the thread and hide the end with a sewing needle.
A plump three-dimensional flower is completed! You need to crochet a total of 21 such flowers using the same method.
IV. The Art of Connection: Small Ring Making and Flower Strap Joining
Small rings are needed to connect the flowers, forming the flexible joints of the shoulder strap.
Small Ring Crochet Method
Start with a magic ring, crochet 18 half double crochets (hdc) inside the ring, then cut the thread and close the opening with a sewing needle. Make a total of 42 small rings using this method.
Crochet method and completed effect of small rings
Flower and ring materials ready for joining
Joining the First Flower Strap
A complete flower strap is made by alternately joining 7 flowers and 14 rings, with a total length of about 77 cm.
Two flowers with backs facing each other, ready for whip stitch joining
Specific stitch illustration of whip stitch
Illustration of connection positions between flowers and rings
Joining Steps:
- Join Two Flowers: Take two flowers, place them front to front and back outward. Thread a sewing needle with matching thread, and use "whip stitch" to pick two half stitches on the top layer of the flower edges. Note: Mainly sew the 3-stitch area in the middle of each petal for a firmer and more hidden connection.
- Connect Rings: Sew two small rings to the upper and lower junctions of the connected two flowers respectively. When sewing, pick the half stitches of the upper fabric layer on the back side.
Follow the sequence of "flower-ring-flower-ring" to join 7 flowers and 14 rings into a complete flower strap. Use the same method to make two more identical flower straps.
V. Shaping the Bag Body: Flower Strap Joining and Main Body Formation
Now, we will combine the three independent flower straps into the main structure of the bag body.
Sew the ends of a single flower strap to form a flower ring
Schematic diagram of staggered joining of three layers of flower straps
Net-shaped bag body formed after fully sewing the three layers
Bag Body Formation Steps:
- Connect the Ends of a Single Flower Strap: Sew the ends of each flower strap together on the back side to form a flower ring.
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Staggered Joining of Three Layers of Flower Straps: This is the key step to form the three-dimensional grid structure of the bag.
- Sew the middle layer flower strap to the bottom layer flower strap. Note the staggered positions: The "ring position" of the bottom layer flower strap corresponds to the "petal position to the left of the ring" of the middle layer; while the "petal position to the right of the ring" of the bottom layer corresponds to the "ring position" of the middle layer.
- Sew the top layer flower strap to the middle layer flower strap following the same staggered pattern.
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Crochet the Bag Bottom Edge: Turn the entire joined bag body to the front side. Insert the hook from any position and start crocheting the edge of the bag bottom.
- Round 1: Evenly pick and crochet 5 sc on each petal. After completing the whole round, there are 106 stitches in total (including the slip stitch counted as 1 stitch).
- Round 2: Crochet another round of sc without adding or subtracting stitches, then cut the thread and hide the end with a sewing needle.
VI. Installing the Stable Base: Semi-finished Bag Base Processing
Using a semi-finished bag base ensures the bottom of the bag is flat and durable.
Semi-finished bag base and four positions to be marked
Start crocheting slip stitches on the bag base from the marked point
State after completing the increase crochet on the bag base edge
Align the bag body and bag base, ready for sewing
Detailed process of sewing the bag body and bag base using slip stitches
Bag Base Installation Steps:
- Mark the Bag Base: On the prepared semi-finished bag base (62 holes), attach stitch markers at four symmetrical positions as shown in the illustration.
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Crochet the Bag Base Edge:
- Round 1: Insert the hook from the stitch after the stitch marker, crochet 1 slip stitch in each hole, for a total of 62 stitches.
- Round 2: Crochet sc in each chain stitch of the previous round. The specific increase pattern is: First crochet "2 sc in 1 stitch" 22 times in a row, then crochet 9 sc without adding or subtracting, repeat "2 sc in 1 stitch" 22 times, and finally crochet 9 sc without adding or subtracting. At the end of this round, the total number of stitches also reaches 106, which matches the number of stitches on the bag body bottom edge.
- Sew the Bag Body and Bag Base: Place the bag body and bag base front to front, align the edges. Use the "one stitch to one stitch" method to crochet slip stitches for sewing. Note: Insert the hook from the front side of the fabric to pick the chain stitches, so the seam will be neater.
VII. Finishing Touches: Bag Strap and Ornament Making
Finally, install the shoulder strap and cute ornaments for your bag.
Schematic diagram of bag strap buckle installation position
Decomposed steps of decorative ball crocheting
Completed ornament tassels and decorative balls
Assemble all ornaments onto the ring
Finishing Steps:
- Install the Bag Strap: Install the prepared finished bag strap buckle to the bag body according to the illustrated position.
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Make Decorative Balls:
- Round 1: Start with a magic ring, crochet 6 sc (do not slip stitch, use spiral crochet method).
- Round 2: Increase 1 stitch every 1 stitch, for a total of 9 sc.
- Next, crochet sc in rounds without adding or subtracting until the fabric is large enough to wrap the wooden bead. Insert the 1.8cm diameter wooden bead, then cut the thread and close the opening by picking chain stitches with a sewing needle.
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Make Ornament Tassels:
- Crochet a chain of about 55 ch.
- Thread 2 decorative beads in sequence, then thread the small ball made just now.
- Make several chains of different lengths using the same method.
- Assemble the Ornaments: Take a 4cm diameter hollow ring, crochet a round of sc around the ring to wrap it. Then tie the made tassels to this ring, and finally hang the ring on the bag strap.
VIII. Make Production Smoother: Tips and Notes
⚠️ Important Note
The tightness of sewing is the key to the beauty of the finished product. When joining flowers and rings, keep the force even – too tight will cause pulling and deformation, too loose will make the structure loose. It is recommended to practice the whip stitch on a small piece of waste thread first.
Additional Tips:
- Keep Hand Movements Consistent: Crocheting 21 flowers and 42 rings is a big project. Try to keep the tightness of each stitch consistent so that the joined flower straps are flat and even.
- Make Good Use of Stitch Markers: When crocheting the bag base edge and sewing the bag body, use stitch markers to mark the starting point, center point, and increase intervals, which can effectively avoid counting stitches wrong.
- Patiently Handle Thread Ends: Hide all thread ends after cutting with a sewing needle carefully on the back side or inside the structure of the fabric, so that the finished product is exquisite both inside and out.
- Make Good Use of Existing Materials: The 4mm polyester cord and 4.5mm crochet hook used in the tutorial are a verified combination. If you use different materials of thread, it is recommended to crochet a small sample first to test whether the crochet hook size is suitable.
IX. Carry Your Spring
🌸 Congratulations!
When the last stitch is completed, this one-of-a-kind floral shoulder bag is born in your hands. It is not just a bag, but a condensation of your patience, creativity, and craft skills.
Every stitch hides time, every flower blooms with beauty. Whether for personal use or as a gift, this hand-crocheted floral shoulder bag carries warm intentions. Looking forward to seeing your works, and welcome to share the joys and sorrows during the production process. The fun of crafting lies in creation, and more in sharing. Wish you a happy crocheting!