Scrunchie Bubble Bag

Beginner Crochet Market Tote

A soft, rounded “bubble” tote that stretches and puffs when filled. Worked bottom-up in easy mesh for maximum squish, finished with a scrunchie-style gathered top band and two sturdy handles. Perfect first bag project.

Skill Level: Beginner
Finished Size: Approx. 8″ wide × 10″ tall (20 × 25 cm) laid flat, unstretched; stretches to ~12″ wide when filled.
Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) cotton or cotton-blend, approx. 300 yd (275 m). Sample uses 2 skeins worsted cotton.
Hook: US H/8 (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch marker, ½″ wide elastic (optional, 12″ / 30 cm length for true scrunchie cinch), scissors.
Gauge: 14 sc × 16 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in single crochet. Mesh gauge: 7 (dc, ch 1) repeats = 4″ (10 cm).

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• sp: space
• sk: skip
• rep: repeat
• rnd: round
• pm: place marker

Notes

• Bag is worked in continuous spirals unless noted; do not join or turn unless instructed. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up.
• Mesh body creates the stretchy bubble shape.
• Cotton yarn is strongly recommended for stitch definition and durability.
• Optional elastic turns the top band into a true scrunchie cinch.

Base (worked in continuous sc rounds)

Make a magic ring (or ch 4 and join with sl st to form ring).

Rnd 1: 6 sc in ring. Pm in first sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: *1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: *1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: *1 sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (42 sts)
Rnd 8: *1 sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (48 sts)
Rnd 9: *1 sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (54 sts)
Rnd 10: *1 sc in next 26 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * once more. (56 sts)
Base should measure approx. 8″ (20 cm) diameter.

Bubble Mesh Body

Rnd 11: *Dc in next st, ch 1, sk next st; rep from * around. (28 dc + 28 ch-1 sps = 56 sts)
Rnd 12: *Dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp; rep from * around.
Rep Rnd 12 until mesh section measures 7″ (18 cm) from top of base (approx. 18–20 rnds total mesh).
(Inline check: every rnd maintains 28 dc + 28 ch-1 sps = 56 sts ✓)

Scrunchie Top Band

Rnd 1 (solid): Sc in each dc and each ch-1 sp around. (56 sc)
Rnds 2–6: Sc in each st around. (56 sc)
Fasten off after Rnd 6 if not adding elastic. Weave in end.

Optional true scrunchie cinch:
Before fastening off, cut 12″ (30 cm) elastic. Overlap ends ½″ and sew into a ring. Hold elastic against the inside of the top band and crochet Rnd 6 over the elastic, encasing it as you work sc in each st. Fasten off and weave in end. The top now gathers like a hair scrunchie.

Handles (make 2)

With yarn doubled for strength (or hold two strands together):
Ch 7.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (6 sc)
Rows 2–60: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
(60 rows ≈ 18″ / 46 cm long × 1″ / 2.5 cm wide ✓)
Fasten off, leaving a 12″ (30 cm) tail for sewing.

Assembly & Finishing

1. Lay bag flat. Mark handle placement: each handle end sits 1.5″ (4 cm) from the side fold and 1″ (2.5 cm) down from the top edge.
2. Using yarn tail and yarn needle, sew each handle end securely to the inside of the top band over 6 sts, working through both loops and reinforcing with 2–3 extra passes. Repeat for all four ends.
3. Weave in all remaining ends.
4. Steam-block lightly if desired (do not flatten the bubble shape).

Your Scrunchie Bubble Bag is ready! Fill it and watch the mesh puff into a soft bubble. The gathered top keeps contents secure and gives that signature scrunchie look.

Inline Math Validation Summary

• Base increases: 6 → 12 → 18 → 24 → 30 → 36 → 42 → 48 → 54 → 56 ✓
• Mesh: 56 sts ÷ 2 = 28 (dc, ch-1) pairs every rnd ✓
• Top band: 56 sc maintained ✓
• Handles: 6 sc wide × 60 rows ≈ 1″ × 18″ ✓