The Best Crochet Bag Pattern To Make A Durable Raffia Tote

The Cabana Crochet Bag Pattern will be your everyday tote bag for beach outings or picnics. The round style and durable raffia yarn is a perfect pair. The free crochet pattern is an easy skill level with helpful photos and plenty of tips along the way.

In need of a casual bag to tote around this summer? The Cabana Crochet Bag Pattern will be your companion.

She’s crocheted with raffia yarn for a casual summery feel. The raffia yarn is also durable making this crochet bag your go-to for everyday outings to the beach or a simple picnic.

This round crochet bag pattern is an easy skill level. The crochet stitches are basic and the tutorial is simple to follow with helpful pictures. Below you’ll find helpful crochet tips that will make the pattern easier.

What You Need To Know

The Cabana Crochet Bag is made by crocheting 3 separate pieces, 2 circles, and a long rectangle. You will sew them together at the end of the tutorial.

The circles are crocheted in a continuous spiral. You won’t join at the end of each round. Instead, you will use a stitch marker to mark the 1st stitch of each round. If you need a refresher on how to crochet in the round, this free guide will help. It explains how to crochet in a continuous spiral and many more tips for crocheting a flat circle.

Speaking of flat circles, these circles will not lay flat as you’re crocheting. I tried many different stitch counts and hook sizes, none of them created a flat circle. This is due to the texture of the raffia yarn.

More Crochet Patterns From Sweet Everly B

The 1 Step You Don’t Want To Skip

The crocheted circles will even out when you steam block the pieces. You MUST steam block each piece or your bag will not be the correct shape. I’m guilty of skipping this extra step 😉 But for this pattern, it is a must do. It doesn’t take much time to block and if you don’t you’ll be disappointed with this crochet pattern.

The full instructions are down below, but for now, just understand the circles won’t lay nice and you need to use a raffia yarn that can tolerate a little heat and steam. You also cannot wet block this yarn. It will become very floppy if it gets too much water.

Crochet Raffia Bag Skill Level: Easy

The entire round purse is crocheted with the half double crochet stitch, my favorite basic stitch. It’s important to know the right side of your work will always be the side facing away from you as you crochet the circle bases. You’ll notice this side has an extra loop in each stitch that creates a nice texture.

Save this free crochet pattern in your Ravelry Favorites.

The Cabana Bag’s Finished Size

The finished crochet raffia bag is 10.5” wide and has a shoulder length strap that is long enough to wear as a crossbody bag, about 38″ long. If you’d like a larger purse you can continue crocheting rounds until the purse is the size you’d like. Remember to increase with each round.

The raffia yarn is durable but not stiff. Keep this in mind if you are crocheting a larger bag it will be floppy.

Supplies To Make Your Own Crochet Bag

• 1 Roll of Ispie Raffia Yarn in the color Oatmeal (273 yds per roll). There are smaller rolls of this for sale on Amazon. Make sure you check the yardage. 2 of the smaller rolls will work too.
  • Important: The yarn is made from a cotton/wood blend. It’s not a paper raffia. You need to be able to steam block this yarn.
  • Yarn Substitute: Ra-Ra-Raffia from Wool and The Gang.
• G/6-4.25mm Crochet Hook
• Stitch Marker
• Blocking Mats and T-pins
• Steam Iron
  • I used a regular clothes iron that has a steam setting.
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations (US Crochet Terminology)

• ch = chain
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• hdc = half double crochet
• sl st = slip stitch

The Cabana Crochet Bag Pattern

Front and Back Circle Panels 

Make 2

Start with a magic circle.

Round 1: work 8 hdc in the circle. (remember to mark the first hdc with a stitch marker) (8sts)

Round 2: 2 hdc in each st around. (16sts)

Round 3: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in the next st] repeat around. (24sts)

Round 4: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts] repeat around. (32sts) 

Round 5: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts] repeat around. (40sts)

Round 6: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 4 sts] repeat around. (48sts)

Round 7: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 sts] repeat around. (56sts)

Round 8: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 6 sts] repeat around. (64sts)

Round 9: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 7 sts] repeat around. (72sts)

Round 10: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 8 sts] repeat around. (80sts)

Round 11: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 9 sts] repeat around. (88sts)

Round 12: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 10 sts] repeat around. (96sts)

Round 13: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 11 sts] repeat around. (104sts)

Round 14: [2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 12 sts] repeat around. (112sts)

Sl st into the next st and fasten off. Cut the yarn and sew in the ends.

Purse Gusset

Ch 75

Row 1: 1 hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, 1 hdc in each ch across, turn. (74sts)

Rows 2-5: ch 1, 1 hdc in each st across, turn. (74sts)

Cut the yarn and sew in the ends.

How To Crochet A Purse Strap

Ch 146

Row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from the hook, 1 hdc in each ch across, turn. (145 sts)

Cut the yarn and sew in the ends.

How To Block Your Crochet Bag

Lay out all 4 pieces on blocking mats or on an ironing board. Use stainless steel t-pins to hold the pieces flat and in shape. 

• The circles will measure about 11” across. The exact size isn’t as important as making sure the circles are both the same size and flat.
• The gusset doesn’t need to be stretched, just laid out flat and pinned to stay. It will be 22” long.
• Stretch the strap to measure 40” long and pin into place.

Now that your pieces are all pinned flat and to the measurements above, use your steam iron on the lowest heat setting that still produces steam. Hold your iron about 1” above the pinned pieces for a few seconds. Repeat across all the pieces. 

Leave the pieces pinned until they are completely cooled, about 15-20 minutes.

Sewing It All Together

Lay 1 of the circle panels on a flat surface, right side down. Sew the long edge of the gusset to the outside edge of the circle panel. I used the whip stitch.

Lay the other circle panel on top, right side up. Sew the other side of the gusset onto the outer edge of the circle panel, with the whip stitch.

Sew the ends of the strap onto the outside of the gusset. Sew in any remaining ends, pack up your new crochet bag, and head for the beach.

Crochet designer//Wanna be knitter// heart of an 80 year old// When I'm not crocheting you can find me in the kitchen baking with my little ones, drinking iced coffee or watching Gilmore Girls.