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Willow bag Pattern

Willow bag Pattern
4.1β˜… Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
1.4K Made This
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Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journeyβ€”perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

✨

Stylish Touch

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

About This Willow bag Pattern

This pattern creates a decorative Willow bag crocheted from raffia yarn with pearl-style beads worked into each circular motif. The bag features a grid-like beaded canvas, a beaded bottom, and two twisted beaded handles for a finished, artisanal look. Youll work single crochet rounds around beads and join rows to form a rectangular canvas before assembling the base and handles.

Willow bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Includes full materials list, gauge, step-by-step photo instructions and an assembly guide. Perfect for making a statement accessory or a handmade gift with a luxury feel.

Why You'll Love This Willow bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple raffia yarn into a chic beaded accessory with a tactile, eye-catching surface. I enjoy how the beaded circles create both structure and ornamentation at the same time, giving the bag a handcrafted but polished look. Working the beads into the stitches is relaxing and rewarding β€” each row visibly builds the pattern. I also love the versatility: you can change bead sizes, yarn color, or handle style to make the bag uniquely yours.

Willow bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Willow bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Willow bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Willow bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easily this bag can be customized: change the bead size or color to create a vintage pearl look or a bold, colorful statement.

Try using thin cotton cord or paper yarn instead of raffia for a different texture and drape β€” adjust your hook size for gauge.

Make the bag wider or narrower by increasing or decreasing the number of starting circles across the first row (more beads = wider bag).

Swap the large 16 mm beads for smaller beads and reduce bead counts per row for a denser fabric and smaller finished size.

I often add a fabric lining and magnetic snap to transform this into a practical everyday bag; sew the lining in place before inserting the bottom.

For a crossbody version, make longer twisted handles or create a detachable strap using metal hardware for more versatility.

You can embroider accents or attach crocheted flowers between beads for additional decoration and texture.

Try alternating bead colors every other row to create a checkerboard or gradient effect across the canvas.

Use metallic or wooden beads to give the bag a different personality β€” metallics feel dressier, wood feels earthy and casual.

I sometimes add a row of slip stitches around the top edge in a contrasting color to give a neat finish and hide uneven edges.

If you want a sturdier bag, work a tighter tension or add a thin interfacing to the lining to keep the shape over time.

Finally, experiment with handle styles β€” double twisted, single thick twist, or a simple crocheted strap β€” to suit your style and comfort preferences.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

βœ— Skipping threading enough beads before starting the canvas will interrupt your progress; thread all beads onto the yarn beforehand to avoid frequent pauses and tangles. βœ— Pulling raffia too tightly while crocheting causes stiff, uneven circles and can distort bead placement; maintain a consistent, moderate tension and relax your grip while stitching. βœ— Forgetting to steam the canvas on the wrong side can leave the bag misshapen; gently steam through a damp cloth on the wrong side to flatten and set the stitches without pressing on beads. βœ— Not securing and hiding ends properly leads to loose loops and unraveling over time; after joining and knotting, pull ends to the wrong side, tie securely and fix with PVA or craft glue, then hide ends under stitches.

Willow bag Pattern

Make a stylish, beaded Willow bag using raffia yarn and large decorative beads. This intermediate crochet pattern walks you through crocheting a structured canvas of bead-enclosed circles, assembling the base, and creating twisted beaded handles. Youll get a unique textured accessory with step-by-step photos and clear instructions so you can reproduce the look and customize bead placement or size.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Willow bag Pattern

β€” Main Fabric

  • 01
    Any raffia yarn, about 380 yards (350 meters) - example: Raffia Ispie, Autumn color
  • 02
    Beads large: diameter 16 mm, hole 2.5 mm - 167 pieces
  • 03
    Beads small: diameter 8 mm, hole 2 mm - 50 pieces

β€” Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.5 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 2.0 mm (for slipping small beads)
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Plastic needle with large eyelet
  • 05
    Iron (for steaming/setting)
  • 06
    Glue (stick or PVA glue) for fixing ends

Progress Tracker

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β€” Materials and tools :

Infos :

Any raffia yarn, about 380 yards (350 meters). In my example, I using raffia Ispie, Autumn color. Hook 2.5 mm. Hook 2 mm. Beads, diameter 16 mm, hole 2.5 mm, 167 pieces. Beads, diameter 8 mm, hole 2 mm, 50 pieces. Scissors. Plastic needle with large eyelet. Iron.

β€” Gauge and finished size :

Info :

Gauge: 16 stitches and 16 rows = 4*4 inches (10*10cm).

Info :

Finished bag from the specified materials: length - 10 inches (25 cm), width - 1 1/8 inches (3 cm), height - 16 inches (40 cm). Handle length - 21 1/8 inches (54 cm).

Info :

You can view this master class and, based on it, change the number of beads and the shape of the bag.

β€” Abbreviations :

Infos :

CH - chain stitch. SlSt - slip stitch. SC - single crochet.

Info :

Link to the video of the process (1 hour 5 minutes): https://youtu.be/mP5zgkZaS04

β€” Crochet the canvas (16*10 beads) :

Info :

No need to steam or straighten the raffia yarn, when crocheting this model of the bag. Take the 2.5 mm hook.

Round 1 :

1 row. Crochet 13 CH.

Info :

Join in the circle, SlSt.

Round 2 :

Put on the bead, insert the hook in the 7th loop of the circle, crochet 1 SC together with the bead.

Info :

Next 10 SC (=11);

Info :

Crochet 13 CH. Join in the circle, SlSt.

Info :

Put on the bead, insert the hook in the 7th loop of the circle, crochet 1 SC together with the bead. Next 10 SC (=11);

Info :

Repeat to the end of the row.

Info :

There are 10 beads in the row now.

Round 3 :

2 row. Crochet to the other side (11 SC, SlSt)*9,

Info :

Next, 6 SC.

Round 4 :

3 row. Crochet 13 CH. Join in the circle, SlSt. Put on the bead, insert the hook in the 7th loop of the circle, crochet 1 SC together with the bead. Next 5 SC (=6);

Info :

Crochet 13 CH. Join in the circle, SlSt.

Round 5 :

Put on the bead, insert the hook in the 7th loop of the circle, crochet 1 SC together with the bead. Next 4 SC. Then insert the hook in the 6th loop of the circle of the previous row, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC (=11).

Info :

Repeat to the end of the row.

Info :

Crochet 13 CH. Join in the circle, SlSt. Put on the bead, insert the hook in the 7th loop of the circle, crochet 1 SC together with the bead. Next 4 SC. Then insert the hook in the 6th loop of the circle of the previous row, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC (=11).

Round 6 :

4 row. Crochet to the other side (11 SC, SlSt)*9,

Info :

Next 6 SC.

Round 7-31 :

5-31 rows. Repeat the pair of the 3rd - 4th rows.

Info :

Steam the canvas with an iron on the wrong side through a damp cloth. Don’t push too hard, so as not to deform the beads.

Round 32 :

32 row. 5 SC, insert the hook in the 6th loop of the circle of the 1st row, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC (=11), SlSt.

Info :

Don’t cut the thread.

β€” Crochet the bottom (7 beads) :

Info :

Crochet the bottom in the same way as the 1st - 2nd row of the canvas. The bottom consists of 7 beads.

Info :

Cut the thread, pull out the end. Insert the hook under the 1st SC of the 1st row, pull out the end, tighten the end back to the wrong side. Tie the knot. Strengthen and hide the ends.

Info :

Steam the bottom with an iron on the wrong side c trough a damp cloth. Don’t push too hard, so as not to deform the beads.

β€” Assembly :

Step 1 :

Take the base of the bag, join with the bottom.

Step 2 :

Insert the hook in the 6th loop of the circle of the 1st row of the bottom, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC, SlSt.

Step 3 :

Next, 5 SC, insert the hook in the 6th loop of the circle of the 1st row of the bottom, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC (=11), SlSt.

Step 4 :

Crochet to the end of the bottom.

Step 5 :

Turn the part side of the bag to himself.

Step 6 :

Crochet 5 SC. Bend the bottom 90 degrees. Insert the hook in the 6th loop of the last circle of the bottom, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC (=11), SlSt.

Step 7 :

Turn the base of the bag to the other side.

Step 8 :

Crochet 5 SC. Insert the hook in the 5th loop of the circle of the 2nd row of the bottom, crochet 1 SC together, 5 SC (=11), SlSt.

Step 9 :

Crochet to the beginning of the bottom.

Step 10 :

Turn the part side of the bag to himself.

Step 11 :

Crochet 5 SC, insert the hook in the 5th loop of the 1st circle of the bottom, crochet 1 SC together.

Step 12 :

Cut the thread, pull out the end. Insert the hook under the 1st SC of the row, pull out the end, tighten the end back to the wrong side. Tie the knot.

Step 13 :

Turn the bag inside out. Strengthen and hide the ends.

Step 14 :

Fix the ends with a glue (stick or PVA glue).

β€” Crochet the handle(*2) :

Info :

Take the 2.5 mm hook. Crochet the chain with CH five meters long.

Info :

Slip the 25 small beads at random intervals (1 meter - 5 beads). Change the hook to 2 mm when slip the bead.

Info :

Cut the thread, pull out the end. Join in the circle. Tie the knot. Strengthen and fix the ends with a glue.

Info :

Straighten the chain and twist in a spiral. Hook one end to something for convenience.

Info :

Next fold in half and twist in a spiral again.

Info :

Then fold in half and twist in a spiral again.

Assembly Instructions

  • Take the base of the bag and join it to the crocheted bottom, aligning the 7-bead bottom with the edge of the canvas and working the first joining row through the 6th loop of each circle on the bottom.
  • Insert the hook in the 6th loop of the circle of the bottom and crochet 1 SC together with the canvas, then crochet 5 SC to form each base join (5 SC, join, 5 SC = 11 total stitches per segment).
  • Bend the bottom 90 degrees and continue joining around the edges by inserting the hook into the appropriate loop of the bottom circles and crocheting 1 SC together, then 5 SC to secure each corner and side.
  • Turn the bag inside out after finishing the joining rows, strengthen and hide all ends, and fix ends with PVA or craft glue to secure them from unraveling.

Important Notes

  • πŸ’‘Steam the canvas and bottom on the wrong side through a damp cloth β€” do not press directly on beads to avoid deforming them.
  • πŸ’‘Do not cut the thread until instructed β€” leave a tail when finishing the canvas so you can join the bottom and hide the ends securely.
  • πŸ’‘Strengthen joins and knot ends and fix with glue (stick or PVA) to prevent threads from slipping out over time.

This Willow bag Pattern combines natural raffia texture with elegant beaded detail to create a standout, handcrafted accessory. Whether you gift it or keep it, the beaded surface and twisted handles make it a conversation piece. Make one in your favorite colorways and bead sizes for a truly personal, stylish bag. πŸ§Άβœ¨πŸ‘œ

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished bag measures approximately 10 inches (25 cm) long, 1 1/8 inches (3 cm) wide, and 16 inches (40 cm) tall, with handles about 21 1/8 inches (54 cm) long using the specified raffia and beads.

Can I use different yarn or bead sizes for this pattern?

Yes, you can experiment with different raffia or ribbon yarns and bead sizes, but changing yarn weight or bead diameter will alter the final size and spacing; make a small swatch to check gauge.

Do I need any special techniques to add the beads?

Thread all beads onto your yarn before starting for convenience. Use a smaller 2.0 mm hook when slipping the small beads onto the chain for the handle, and insert the bead then continue with SC around larger beads.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

This is a multi-day intermediate project that can take approximately 12-15 hours total, depending on experience, bead preparation and assembly time.