Free Japanese Knot Bag Crochet Pattern

What is a Japanese Knot Bag?

A Japanese knot bag is a tote bag that has one handle that is longer than the other. This is done so that you can put the longer handle through the short one to close the bag. The bag is then worn over your wrist so that it can be carried easily.

Are Crochet Bags Practical?

Crochet Bags, Totes and Purses are very practical because you can make them any way you would like. There are tons of free crochet bag patterns available so that you can pick a bag that fits your needs. Being

What Stitch is Best for a Crochet Bag?

The best stitch for a crochet bag is a light but dense and sturdy stitch. The type of stitch will also depend on the purpose of the bag. Crocheted Tote Bags that you might use everyday for personal items should be made so that things cannot fall through the stitches. However, a Crocheted Market Tote can be made with more open stitches allowing for tons of stretch to gently hold your fruits and veggies!

Materials

• Size 4.50 mm crochet hook                                             
• #4 Worsted Wt. Yarn
  12.9 oz or 685 yards total

• Sample Made Using:
  Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton® Yarn 
  4 Skeins – Hay Bale [761-173AA]

Gauge

• 17 sts x 11 rows in pattern repeat is 4 by 4 inches.

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch
• Stitch(es) – st(s) 
• Single Crochet – sc
• Half Double Crochet – hdc
• Half Double Crochet 2 Together – hdc2tog – Work to HDC Stitches together to for one stitch for a decrease.
• Foundation Double Crochet – Fdc – Chain 4, yarn over, insert hook into 4^th chain from the hook, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through all loops (1 foundation double crochet with chain at bottom created). *Yarn over, insert hook to bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull though all loops, repeat from * to desired st count.
• Stacked Single Crochet Stitch – STsc – insert your hook into the designated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops, insert your hook into the second vertical bar on the stitch you just created, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull though all loops. 
• Stacked Single Crochet 2 Together – STsc2tog – insert your hook into the designated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert your hook into next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all loops, insert your hook into the second vertical bar on the stitch you just created, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull though all loops. 
• Front Post Double Crochet– FPdc – work a dc as you normally would but insert your hook from front to back to front around post of indicated st.
• Back Post Double Crochet – BPdc – work a dc as you normally would but insert your hook from back to front to back around post of indicated st.

Pattern Notes

• Skill Level: Easy
• One Size: 14 inches at widest point by 12.5 inches depth. Strap is 11 inches long with a
• 4-inch closure. Measurements are post seaming.
• * Designates a repeat. 
• “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
• “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
• “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next stitch to create an increase.

Japanese Knot Bag Crochet Pattern

Make Two (2) Panels

Row 1 – Fdc 25
Row 2 – Turn, (STsc, FPdc) in first st, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * to end, STsc in last worked st for an increase. [27 sts]
Rows 3 to 19 – Repeat Row 2 with each row count increasing by 2, with a final row count of 61 sts.
Rows 20 – Turn, STsc, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, BPdc 1, hdc in last st. [61 sts]
Rows 21 – Turn, STsc, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, FPdc 1, hdc in last st. [61 sts]
Rows 22 to 37 –  Repeat Rows 20 and 21, do not finish off and continue to “Strap 1 Instructions”.

Strap 1 – 
Row 1 – STsc2tog, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * 11 more times, hdc2tog. [26 sts worked over 28 sts] 
Row 2 – STsc2tog, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, BPdc 1, hdc in last st. [25 sts] 
Row 3 – STsc2tog, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. [24 sts]
Row 4 – STsc2tog, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, FPdc 1, hdc in last st. [23 sts]
Row 5 – STsc2tog, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. [22 sts]
Rows 6 to 11 – Repeat Rows 2 to 5 ending with a Row 3 repeat and a final row count of 16 sts.
Row 12 – Turn, STsc in first st, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. [16 sts]
Row 13 – Turn, STsc in first st, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. [16 sts]
Rows 14 to 35 – Repeat Rows 12 and 13, finish off on last row. 

Strap 2 – Reattach your yarn at the opposite end of Row 37.
Row 1 – STsc2tog, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * 11 more times, hdc2tog. [26 sts worked over 28 sts] 
Row 2 – STsc2tog, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, BPdc 1, hdc in last st. [25 sts] 
Row 3 – STsc2tog, *BPdc, FPdc, repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. [24 sts]
Row 4 – STsc2tog, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * until 2 sts remain, FPdc 1, hdc in last st. [23 sts]
Row 5 – STsc2tog, *FPdc, BPdc, repeat from * until 1 st remains, hdc in last st. [22 sts]
Rows 6 to 11 – Repeat Rows 2 to 5 ending with a Row 3 repeat and a final row count of 16 sts, finish off.

Assembly

1. With Right Sides facing, seam from Row 37 down, along Row 1 and back up to the other side of row 37, finish off and weave in your ends.
2. Seam Rows 35 together for one strap, finish off and weave in your ends.
3. Seam Rows 11 together for second strap that create loop for first strap, finish off and weave in your ends.

More Easy + Simple Crochet Bags

Just click on the photos below to make some of my other beginner friendly crochet patterns!