Sunset coral gradient braided bag crochet pattern

Plastic canvas or cardboard for base stiffening Fabric lining material Gauge

Gauge is flexible with t-shirt yarn because the material varies between brands. Work a small swatch of 10 single crochet stitches across 5 rows. Your swatch should measure approximately 4 inches by 3 inches . If your stitches are much larger, go down a hook size. If they’re tighter and smaller, go up a hook size.

Don’t stress too much about exact gauge here. This bag is forgiving, and slight size variations won’t affect the finished look.

Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions Let me define every stitch before we begin. You can refer back to this section anytime.

Ch = Chain. Yarn over, pull through the loop on your hook. This creates the foundation and adds height.

Sl st = Slip stitch. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook. Used for joining and invisible movement.

Sc = Single crochet. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. One of the most basic stitches.

Hdc = Half double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. Slightly taller than single crochet.

Puff st = Puff stitch. (Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop) 3 times in the same stitch (7 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 7 loops, chain 1 to secure. This creates the raised, braided texture you see on the bag front.

Inc = Increase. Work 2 stitches into the same stitch.

BLO = Back loop only. Insert your hook under just the back loop of the stitch instead of both loops.

Step by Step Crochet Pattern The Base

The base creates the rectangular bottom of your bag. We’ll work this flat in rows using Colour A (cream).

Your base should measure approximately 8 inches by 3 inches . If it’s significantly different, check your tension and adjust as needed.

Building the Sides

Now we transition to working in joined rounds around the entire base. This builds up the walls of the bag.

This is where the magic happens. We’ll work puff stitches in colour blocks, changing colours every round or two to create the gradient flow.

The Front Panel

The front of the bag features the same gradient pattern but in a slightly different arrangement for visual interest.

Looking at your bag, identify the front panel (one of the long sides). You’ll work the front separately if desired, or the gradient rounds above have already created your front panel effect.

For this design, the front panel gradient flows upward from coral to rose, creating contrast with the flap which flows downward from rose to mustard.

The Flap The flap covers the top opening and holds the clasp hardware.

The Twisted Rope Handle This handle uses all gradient colours twisted together for that gorgeous multicoloured rope effect.

Step 1: Cut 6 strands of t-shirt yarn, each approximately 40 inches long. Use 1 or 2 strands of each gradient colour (B through E).

Step 2: Gather all strands and tie a knot at one end. Secure this end to something stable, like a doorknob or the back of a chair.

Step 3: Hold the other end and begin twisting all strands together clockwise. Keep twisting until the yarn feels tight and wants to kink back on itself.

Step 4: Carefully fold the twisted rope in half, allowing the two halves to wrap around each other naturally. This creates the beautiful twisted rope effect.

Step 5: Knot both ends to secure.

Step 6: Thread each end through a D-ring, then fold the end back and secure by wrapping with matching yarn or stitching tightly.

Attaching Hardware