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Accordion Bag Pattern

Accordion Bag Pattern
4.2★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.4K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Accordion Bag Pattern

This pattern creates an accordion-style striped bag worked as multiple narrow bands joined together to form a pleated body. It uses foundation cord strips and single crochet rows to build each band, then joins bands two at a time to form the bag. The result is a lightweight, structured bag with a simple drawstring finish and narrow straps.

Accordion Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Two sizes are included: a large and a small version with specific foundation cord lengths and stitch counts. The pattern highlights joining techniques that produce neat inside and outside finishes.

Why You'll Love This Accordion Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple single crochet rows into a dramatic pleated bag with charming texture. I enjoy how the foundation cord method creates a clean, rope-like base that gives the bands structure and neat edges. The technique for joining bands is clever and produces a tidy inside finish, which I appreciate for a polished handmade item. I also love that the pattern is highly customizable with colors and scale, so each finished bag feels original and personal.

Accordion Bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Accordion Bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Accordion Bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Accordion Bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize this Accordion Bag by changing colors; try alternating pastel shades for a soft summer look or bold contrasts for a graphic statement.

You can make the bag larger or smaller by adjusting foundation cord stitch counts and swapping yarn weight; use thicker yarn and a larger hook for a chunky tote or thinner yarn for a delicate mini bag.

I often experiment with different strap lengths — an adjustable leather cord or a longer crossbody strap changes the bag's use instantly.

Feel free to replace the leather drawstring with a crocheted cord or a chain for a different finish and texture.

For a more structured base, I sometimes add a removable cardboard or leather insert at the bottom before seaming to help the bag hold its shape better.

I like adding embroidered initials or a small crocheted flower on one band for a personal touch that makes the bag unique.

To create a reversible effect, pick colors that look good on both sides and follow the inside/outside joining steps carefully so both faces look neat.

If you want a child-friendly version, shorten the strap and use soft, durable cotton yarn in bright, playful colors.

Try using variegated yarn for some bands to introduce subtle color shifts without changing bands frequently; it gives an interesting marled effect.

I also recommend testing one band to perfect your tension and joining method before working all 12 bands so the rest of the project is smooth and consistent.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not leaving long enough tails for seaming and straps; measure and leave the exact tail lengths specified so you have enough yarn to seam and finish without joining extra ends. ✗ Skipping stitch markers on the indicated stitch counts (40th/60th) leads to misaligned straps or body placement; place markers at the 40th or 60th stitch as instructed to mark strap/bag boundaries. ✗ Rushing the foundation cord causes uneven base loops which affect band width; make the foundation cord slowly and evenly, leaving the specified long tail length for that band. ✗ Forgetting to align the specified stitch when joining two bands causes mismatched rows; align the indicated sc (for example align 61st or 41st sc) exactly before crocheting bands together. ✗ Overstretching or under-stuffing when shaping the pleats will distort the bag appearance; shape the bag gently and adjust fold spacing as shown in the pictures while seaming.

Accordion Bag Pattern

Make a stylish accordion-style drawstring bag you will love to carry. This pattern guides you through foundation cord strips, joining bands, and simple seaming to create a pleated effect. You can make a large or small size and customize colors for a one-of-a-kind handmade accessory.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Accordion Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn (main and contrast/highlight colors) - quantities vary by size and color used
  • 02
    For Large bag: yarn enough to make foundation cords totalling bands with 251-stitch foundation cords for wide bands and 131-stitch cords for narrower bands
  • 03
    For Small bag: yarn enough to make foundation cords totalling bands with 169-stitch and 89-stitch foundation cords as specified
  • 04
    Leather string: 90cm/36inch for Large bag drawstring
  • 05
    Leather string: 60cm/24inch for Small bag drawstring

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.5mm
  • 02
    90cm/36inch leather string (Large bag)
  • 03
    60cm/24inch leather string (Small bag)
  • 04
    Yarn needle for sewing and weaving in ends
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Stitch markers

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Intro :

Info :

FINAL PIECE (BEFORE SEAM). This bag is made by joining 12 pcs of 5 sc row-high bands. Large final piece: foundation and band counts shown in diagrams. Small final piece: foundation and band counts shown in diagrams.

Info :

MATERIALS: Worsted weight 100% Cotton yarn. Crochet hook 3.5mm. 90cm/36inch leather string (Large bag). 60cm/24inch leather string (Small bag). Yarn needle, scissors, stitch markers.

Info :

SKILLS REQUIRED: Crocheting foundation cord, chain and single crochet stitch. ABBREVIATIONS: Sc = Single crochet. Ch = Chain.

— Part 1 (Base Row/Foundation Cord) :

Info :

BASE ROW - The first base row of each BAND is crocheted by 'Foundation cord'.

Round Step 1 :

Slip knot. (Leave a tail about 3 times longer of the desired foundation length).

Round Step 2 :

Tail over hook from front to back. Yam over(yo).

Round Step 3 :

Draw through tail loop(lp).

Info :

Follow the foundation cord instructions until you reach the required foundation stitch count for each BAND. Leave the markers on the 60th stitch from the both end of BAND 01 and BAND 12 (indication of the body part and the strap of the bag).

— Part 2 (BAND 01 - Main color yarn) :

Round Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 4m/158inch long tail and crochet Foundation cord 251, turn. (251)

Round 1 :

ROW 1: Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord as shown in the picture, turn. (251)

Round 2-5 :

ROW 2 ~ 5: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Round 6 :

ROW 6: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, fasten off. (251)

— Part 3 (BAND 02 - Contrast/Highlight color yarn) :

Round Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 2m/79inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 131, turn. (131)

Round 1 :

ROW 1: Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (131)

Round 2-5 :

ROW 2~5: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Round 6 :

ROW 6: Place BAND 01 (foundation row facing up) in front of BAND 02. (Align 61st sc of BAND 01 to first sc of BAND 02, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 60 and follow as below.

Round Join Step A :

Draw a long loop of the 60th sc and remove the hook.

Round Join Step B :

Unfold the BANDS and bring the loop to the front.

Round Join Step C :

Fold the BANDS inside out. (The BANDS are now flipped over.)

Round Join Step D :

Sc 11.

Round Join Step E :

Draw a long loop of the 11th sc and remove the hook.

Round Join Step F :

Unfold the BANDS and bring the loop to the front.

Round Join Step G :

Fold the BANDS inside out back to the original.

Round Join Step H :

Sc 60, fasten off leaving the tail about 5cm/2.5inch long.

— Part 4 (How it looks when BAND 01 & BAND 02 are joined / BAND 03) :

Info :

Photos show outside of the bag and inside of the bag finishes after joining BAND 01 & BAND 02.

Round Base Row :

BAND 03 - BASE ROW: Leave a 2m/79inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 131, turn. (131)

Round 1 :

ROW 1: Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the back loop of the foundation cord, turn. (131)

Round 2-5 :

ROW 2~5: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Round 6 :

ROW 6: Place BAND 02 (foundation row facing up) in front of BAND 03. Sc in each sc of these two bands together and fasten off.

Info :

BAND 04 ~ BAND 11: You can repeat BAND 02 for even numbered BANDs, and repeat BAND 03 for odd numbered BANDs.

— Part 5 (BAND 12 - Contrast/Highlight color yarn) :

Round Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 4m/158inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 251, turn. (251)

Round 1 :

ROW 1: Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (251)

Round 2-5 :

ROW 2~5: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Round 6 :

ROW 6: Sc 60, place BAND 11 in front of BAND 12 (Align first sc of BAND 11 to 61st sc of BAND 12, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 60, fold inside out sc 11, fold back to the original and sc 60, fasten off.

Round 7 :

ROW 7: (Work through the top row of the BAND 12.) Skip the first 60 sc (bag strap), sc 131 across (bag body) and fasten off leaving the tail 80cm/32inch long.

— Part 6 (Assemble) :

Item Seaming BAND 01 :

Seaming BAND 01: Use the same color yarn of BAND 01. (80cm/32inch long) Fold the bag in half (inside facing out), and seam the edge of the body part of the bag.

Item Seaming BAND 12 :

Seaming BAND 12: Use the long tail that was left at the end. Seam the edge of the body part of the bag. Weave in all the ends, shape the bag folding as shown in the picture.

Item Strap (2) :

Place the strap ends overlapping 20 sc long, seam both side of the edge. Put the drawstring into the bag as shown in the picture, tie up and finish.

— Part 7 (Small Size) :

Info :

SMALL SIZE - BAND 01 to BAND 12 instructions and counts for the small bag.

Round Base Row :

BAND 01 BASE ROW: Leave a 2.4m/95inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 169, turn. (169) Leave the markers on the 40th stitch from the end on both sides.

Round 1 :

ROW 1: Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (169)

Round 2-4 :

ROW 2 ~ 4: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Round 5 :

ROW 5: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, fasten off. (169)

Round Base Row :

BAND 02 BASE ROW: Leave a 1.3m/51inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 89, turn. (89)

Round 2-4 :

ROW 2 ~ 4: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (89)

Round 5 :

ROW 5: Place BAND 01 (foundation row facing up) in front of BAND 02. (Align 41st sc of BAND 01 to the first sc of BAND 02, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 40, fold inside out sc 9 and fold back to the original sc 40, fasten off. (89)

Round Base Row :

BAND 03 BASE ROW: Leave a 1.3m/51inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 89, turn. (89)

Round 2-4 :

ROW 2 ~ 4: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (89)

Round 5 :

ROW 5: Place BAND 02 in front of the BAND 03, sc these two BANDs together, fasten off. (89)

Info :

BAND 04 ~ 11: You can repeat BAND 02 for even numbered BANDs, and repeat BAND 03 for odd numbered BANDs.

Round Base Row :

BAND 12 BASE ROW: Leave a 2.4m/95inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 169, turn. (169) Leave the markers on the 40th stitch from the end on both sides.

Round 1 :

ROW 1: Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (169)

Round 2-4 :

ROW 2 ~ 4: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Round 5 :

ROW 5: Sc 40, place BAND 11 in front of BAND 12. (Align first sc of BAND 11 to the 41st sc of BAND 12, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 40, fold inside out sc 9, fold back to the original and sc 40, fasten off.

Round 6 :

ROW 6: (Work through the top row of BAND 12.) Skip the first 40 sc (bag strap), sc 89 across (bag body) and fasten off leaving a 60cm/24inch long tail. (89)

Item Assemble :

Assemble: You can follow the Large bag pattern to seam the body edge of the bag. Place the strap ends overlapping 15 sc long, seam both side of the edge. Put the drawstring into the bag, tie up and finish.

Assembly Instructions

  • Seam BAND 01: Use the same color yarn of BAND 01 (approx 80cm/32inch). Fold the bag in half (inside facing out) and seam the body edge securely.
  • Seam BAND 12: Use the long tail left at the end of BAND 12 to seam the corresponding body edge and secure firmly, then weave in ends.
  • Place the strap ends overlapping 20 sc (large instructions) or 15 sc (small instructions) and seam both sides of the strap edge for a neat finish.
  • Insert the leather drawstring through the top looped area as shown in pictures, tie the ends and finish with a small knot to secure the drawstring.

Important Notes

  • 💡Place stitch markers on the 60th stitch (large) or 40th stitch (small) from each end to mark the strap-to-body transition.
  • 💡Make foundation cords to the exact stitch counts listed for each BAND (for example 251, 131, 169, 89) to ensure correct band widths and alignment.
  • 💡When joining bands, align the specified stitch numbers (for example align 61st to 1st or 41st to 1st) before crocheting the two bands together for a tidy seam.
  • 💡Weave in ends and shape the pleats while seaming to achieve the accordion look shown in the photos.

This Accordion Bag pattern turns simple single crochet bands into a beautiful pleated accessory you can proudly carry and gift. Customize the colors to match your wardrobe or try seasonal palettes for fresh looks. Follow the joining steps carefully for a neat inside finish and enjoy watching the bag come to life as you seam and fold. 🧶✨🎒

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished large bag body uses bands with foundation cords up to 251 stitches wide and produces an approximately 76-80cm wide (before seam) piece; the small bag uses 169/89 stitch bands for a smaller finished bag. Exact finished dimensions depend on yarn and tension.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the final size and pleat proportion; adjust the hook size accordingly and be prepared to recalculate foundation cord lengths.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of foundation cord techniques, chain, and single crochet is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete the bag in about 5-7 hours for the large version depending on experience and color changes; the small version may take less time.

How are the bands joined cleanly on the inside?

Follow the alignment instructions (for example align the 61st or 41st stitch) and the folding steps described in the pattern; these steps flip and nest the bands so the join is neat on the inside.