Scrunch-Strap Convertible Bag

Intermediate · Worsted weight · US terms

This is a sturdy bag with a long strap that slides inside a gathering tube. Pull the tube ties and knot them, and the strap scrunches up like a scrunchie into a shoulder bag. Untie them and let the strap slide out, and it becomes a long tote/crossbody strap.

Materials

• Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn (cotton holds shape best): about 500 yd (457 m)
  • Main color (MC): 350 yd
  • Strap and tube: 150 yd (same or contrast)
• US 7 (4.5 mm) hook (sized down for firm fabric)
• 2 stitch markers, tapestry needle
• Optional for extra structure: plastic canvas or a 9 × 3.75 in (23 × 9.5 cm) bag-bottom insert

Finished Size

• Width (flat): 10 in (25 cm)
• Height: 10.5 in (27 cm), including edging
• Base: 9 × 3.75 in (23 × 9.5 cm)
• Strap:
  • Long (tote) mode: about 38 in usable loop
  • Scrunched (shoulder) mode: about 20 in

Gauge

18 sts × 20 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in center sc worked in the round. Gauge matters for sturdiness. If your fabric feels floppy, go down a hook size.

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• csc (center single crochet): insert the hook through the center of the "V" of the stitch below, between its two front posts, then complete as sc. This stitch creates the dense, firm fabric.
• sl st: slip stitch
• inc: 2 sts in same st
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd: round
• BLO: back loop only

Base (MC)

• Ch 31.
• Rnd 1:
  1. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 28 ch (29 sts).
  2. Work 3 sc in last ch.
  3. Rotating the chain, sc in the other side of the next 28 ch (28 sts), then 3 sc in the first ch (3 sts).
  4. Sl st to the first sc, ch 1. (29 + 3 + 28 + 1 extra sc in the first ch at join = 64 sts ✓)
  • Note: Count the first ch as holding 1 sc at the start of the round plus 3 sts at the end (total 4 sts in that ch), for 64 sts in total.
• Rnd 2:
  1. Sc 29, [inc] 2 times, sc 1, (curve 1 done).
  2. Sc 28, [inc] 2 times, sc 1, sc 1.
  3. Sl st to join. (64 + 4 = 68 sts)
  • Simplified for exactness: work around, increasing 2 sts in each of the 4 corner stitches (the center 3 sts at each end, use the 1st and 3rd). This gives +8 sts.
  • Restated Rnd 2: Inc in each of the 2 sts on either side of each end center (8 incs). (64 + 8 = 72 sts ✓)
• Rnd 3: Work csc around, placing 8 incs at the ends: 4 incs spread over each curved end, in the inc sts of the previous round. (72 + 8 = 80 sts ✓)
• Rnd 4: Same as Rnd 3. (80 + 8 = 88 sts ✓)
• Rnd 5 (turning ridge): Sc BLO in each st around. This sharp fold edge stiffens the base. (88 sts)
• If using a base insert, trim it to fit the base now.

Body

• Place marker A in the first st of the round. Count 44 sts and place marker B. These mark the two side "seams" (the center of each short end). If the first st is not at an end center, slip stitch to reach one end center before Rnd 6.
• Rnds 6–54: Ch 1, csc in each st around, sl st to join. (49 rnds, 88 sts each)
  • Do not turn. Csc spirals slightly, so joining keeps the seams straight.
• Rnd 55: Sc BLO around. (88 sts)
• Rnd 56: Reverse sc (crab st) around. Fasten off. (88 sts)
• Body height: 50 body rnds plus edging, about 10.5 in.

Strap Core

• Ch 8.
• Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (7 sts)
• Rows 2–240: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (7 sts each; 240 rows = 48 in)
• Edging: Sl st loosely along each long edge, one sl st per row (240 per side). This locks the strap so it won't stretch.
• Fasten off, leaving a 16 in tail.

Scrunch Tube

• Ch 15.
• Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (14 sts)
• Rows 2–90: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (14 sts each; 90 rows = 18 in)
• Fold the tube in half lengthwise. Sl st the long edges together through both layers (90 sl sts) to form a flat tube. Leave both short ends open. Fasten off.

Ties (make 2)

• Ch 61.
• Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (60 sl sts = 12 in)
• Fasten off.
• Fold one tie in half and attach it at its center point, with a single tack stitch, to the seam at one end of the tube, 0.5 in from the opening. Repeat with the second tie at the other end of the tube.

Assembly

1. Thread the strap core through the scrunch tube.
2. Sew one strap end to the inside of the bag at marker A:
   • Center the strap over the seam, overlapping from Rnd 54 down to Rnd 47 (1.5 in overlap).
   • Sew around all 4 edges plus an X through the center for strength.
3. Sew the other strap end to marker B the same way, checking that the strap is not twisted.
4. Tack each end of the tube to the strap with one stitch, 1 in from its strap attachment point. This keeps the tube from sliding off its position.

Using the Strap

• Tote / long mode: Untie both ties. Slide the strap out so the tube lies smooth along the strap, giving a 38 in usable loop.
• Shoulder mode:
  1. Push the strap through the tube until the core is gathered evenly along the tube's 18 in length.
  2. Wrap each tie around the tube end twice and knot it in a bow. This gives a scrunchie-like strap of about 20 in.

Care

• Hand wash, lay flat, and reshape to the base.
• For extra stiffness, spray with fabric starch while damp.