The Soft Scrunch Bag

An easy gathered shoulder bag in UK crochet terms

Skill level

Easy. You will only need to work rows of half trebles and sew simple whip-stitch seams.

Finished size

• Before gathering: 40 cm (15.75 in) wide × 26.7 cm (10.5 in) deep.
• When scrunched on the strap: about 22 cm (8.75 in) wide.
• Strap: 97 cm (38.25 in) loop × 2.5 cm (1 in) wide.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted / aran-weight 100% acrylic, approx. 300 m (330 yd) in total. For example, 2 × 100 g balls of about 180–200 m each.
• Hook: 4.0 mm crochet hook.
• Notions:
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • 4 locking stitch markers
  • Safety pin, for threading the strap
• Optional: Fabric lining, 42 × 62 cm, with sewing thread.

Tension (gauge)

• 16 htr and 12 rows = 10 cm (4 in) over half trebles, using a 4.0 mm hook.
• If you have more stitches, try a larger hook. If you have fewer, try a smaller hook.
• Exact tension is not critical, but it will change the size and how much yarn you use.

Abbreviations (UK)

• ch – chain
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• htr – half treble (US hdc): yarn round hook, insert hook, yrh, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through all 3 loops
• ss – slip stitch
• yrh – yarn round hook
• RS / WS – right side / wrong side

Pattern notes

• The ch 2 at the start of each row does not count as a stitch. Work the first htr into the first stitch.
• The body is one rectangle. It folds in half at the base, so there is no seam along the bottom.
• The rows are numbered from the foundation chain. Rows 1–36 form the back and rows 37–72 form the front.

Body

Foundation: Ch 66.

Row 1: Htr in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch to the end, then turn. (64 sts) Check: 66 ch − 2 skipped = 64 ✓

Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), htr in each st to the end, then turn. (64 sts)

Rows 3–72: Repeat Row 2 a further 70 times. (64 sts)

• The piece should now measure 40 cm wide × 60 cm long.
• Check: 72 rows ÷ 1.2 rows per cm = 60 cm ✓
• Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail. Weave in the starting tail.

Strap

Foundation: Ch 162.

Row 1: Htr in the 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch to the end, then turn. (160 sts) Check: 162 − 2 = 160 ✓

Rows 2–3: Ch 2, htr in each st to the end, then turn. (160 sts)

• The strap should measure 100 cm × 2.5 cm.
• Check: 160 ÷ 1.6 = 100 cm ✓
• Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail.

Assembly

1. Make the casings

Back casing:

• Lay the body WS up. Fold rows 1–4 down onto the WS along the line between rows 4 and 5.
• The foundation edge now lies along the top of row 8.
• Whip stitch the foundation edge to the top of row 8 across all 64 sts.
• This forms a channel 4 rows (3.3 cm) deep.

Front casing:

• Fold rows 69–72 down onto the WS along the line between rows 68 and 69.
• Whip stitch the top of row 72 to the top of row 64 across all 64 sts.
• Leave both short ends of each casing open.

2. Fold and seam the sides

• Fold the body in half RS together. Fold between rows 36 and 37, so the back and front casings sit level with each other.
• Place markers on both side edges at the top of row 8 (back) and the top of row 64 (front).
• Right side edge: Whip stitch from the fold up to the markers, joining rows 36–9 to rows 37–64. That is 28 rows on each layer.
• Left side edge: Seam the same rows as on the right side edge, from the fold up to the markers.
• Do not sew rows 1–8 or rows 65–72. These are the open casing ends.
• Fasten off securely and turn the bag RS out.
• The bag now measures 40 cm wide × 26.7 cm deep.
• Check: 28 seamed rows + 4 casing rows = 32 rows ÷ 1.2 = 26.7 cm ✓

3. Thread the strap

1. Pin a safety pin through one end of the strap.
2. Thread the strap through the front casing from the left opening to the right opening, so 40 cm of strap is inside.
3. Continue straight into the back casing at the right opening and out through the left opening.
4. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
5. Overlap the two strap ends by 3 cm (5 sts). Whip stitch all around the overlapped square, then work a second line of stitches across the middle for strength. This gives a 97 cm loop.
6. Slide the seamed join inside a casing so it is hidden.

4. Scrunch

• Push the bag body along the strap towards the centre of each casing. Each 40 cm casing should gather to about 22 cm.
• The soft gathers form the "scrunch". Because the body moves freely, you can re-gather it at any time.
• Optional: For permanent gathers, take 2 small stitches through each casing and the strap, 1 cm in from each side seam.

Optional lining

• Fold the fabric in half to 42 × 31 cm and sew the side seams with a 1 cm allowance.
• Turn the top edge under by 1 cm.
• Slip the lining inside the bag and slip stitch it to the bag along the lower edge of the casings: the top of row 8 on the back and the top of row 64 on the front.
• Keep the casing channels free so the strap can still slide.

Finishing

• Weave in all ends along the seams.
• Acrylic needs no blocking. If you like, steam the bag lightly from 5 cm away without pressing.

Care

• Machine wash at 30 °C on a gentle cycle.
• Reshape the bag and dry it flat.
• Do not iron directly onto the crochet.