Web-Slinger Messenger Bag

A structured rectangular messenger bag with a fold-over flap featuring a tapestry-crochet Spider-Man–style mask, finished with a long adjustable-length shoulder strap. Worked entirely in single crochet for a firm, sturdy fabric — perfect for confident beginners ready to try simple color changes.

Skill Level

Easy (single crochet throughout; introduces basic tapestry/colorwork on the flap)

Finished Measurements

• Main body: 9" wide × 8" tall × 3" deep (23 × 20 × 7.5 cm)
• Flap: 9" wide × approx. 8" long including curved edge
• Strap: approx. 40" long × 2.5" wide (adjustable)

One size.

Materials

• Yarn: Sport weight (#2 fine), smooth cotton or cotton blend recommended for structure
  • Color A (Red): approx. 400 yds (366 m) — main bag + flap background
  • Color B (Black): approx. 120 yds (110 m) — web lines + eye outlines
  • Color C (White): approx. 40 yds (37 m) — eye fill
• Hook: US E-4 / 3.5 mm (one size smaller than yarn label suggests, for a dense fabric)
• Notions:
  • Yarn needle for seaming
  • 8–10 stitch markers
  • 1 magnetic snap or 1" (25 mm) button + optional sew-on snap closure
  • Sewing needle and matching thread (for closure)
  • Optional: 9" × 8" piece of plastic canvas or fabric-covered cardboard for base stiffening

Gauge

22 sc × 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet, worked in both loops.

• This equals 5.5 sc per inch and 6 rows per inch.
• Gauge is critical for a firm bag. If your fabric is floppy, go down a hook size.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• sc — single crochet
• sc2tog — single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• RS / WS — right side / wrong side
• rep — repeat
• ( ) — stitch count at end of row

Pattern Notes

• The bag is worked flat in separate panels, then seamed.
• The turning ch-1 does NOT count as a stitch. Work your first sc into the first stitch of the row and the last sc into the last stitch.
• All single crochet is worked in both loops unless stated otherwise.
• Stitch counts appear at the end of each row/round in parentheses.
• The flap uses tapestry crochet: unused colors are carried inside the stitches and worked over. Change to the new color by completing the last yarn-over of the stitch before the color change with the new color.
• Keep carried yarn at a relaxed, even tension so the flap lies flat.

Construction Overview

1. Front panel (rectangle)
2. Back panel (rectangle)
3. Gusset (one long strip forming base + both sides)
4. Flap (rectangle with curved bottom + mask colorwork)
5. Strap (long strip)
6. Seam all pieces, add closure, edge finish.

PANEL 1 — Front

With Color A, ch 51.

Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (50 sc) Rows 2–48: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (50 sc)

Fasten off. Panel measures approx. 9" wide × 8" tall. Math check: 50 sts ÷ 5.5 = 9.09"; 48 rows ÷ 6 = 8".

PANEL 2 — Back

Work exactly as Front, but do not fasten off after Row 48 — the flap will be worked directly onto the top of the Back panel (see Flap section). Place a marker and set aside.

PANEL 3 — Gusset (Base + Sides, worked as one strip)

The gusset wraps up one side, across the base, and up the other side. Total perimeter = 8" + 9" + 8" = 25". Add 1" ease for seaming turns → work 26".

With Color A, ch 18.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (17 sc) Math check: 17 ÷ 5.5 = 3.09" ≈ 3" deep.

Rows 2–156: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (17 sc) Math check: 156 rows ÷ 6 = 26" long.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (~30") for seaming.

PANEL 4 — Flap (with Spider-Man Mask Colorwork)

The flap is worked from the top edge down, straight for the main section, then shaped into a curved bottom. The Spider-Man mask chart is centered on the flap.

Flap Setup

With Color A, ch 51.

Row 1 (RS): sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (50 sc)

Straight Section + Colorwork

Rows 2–42: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across, following the Attached Stitch Chart for color placement (see section below). Maintain 50 sc each row.

Note: The chart is 50 stitches wide × 42 rows tall to match this section exactly. Begin reading the chart from Row 1 of the chart on flap Row 2.

Curved Bottom Shaping

The curve is created by decreasing at both ends over the last 6 rows. Continue in Color A only (mask complete).

Row 43: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog. (48 sts) Row 44: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc2tog. (44 sts) Row 45: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc in each st to last 4 sts, sc2tog, sc2tog. (40 sts) Row 46: ch 1, turn, [sc2tog] 3 times, sc in each st to last 6 sts, [sc2tog] 3 times. (34 sts) Row 47: ch 1, turn, [sc2tog] 3 times, sc in each st to last 6 sts, [sc2tog] 3 times. (28 sts) Row 48: ch 1, turn, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in each st to last 8 sts, [sc2tog] 4 times. (20 sts)

Fasten off. Decrease check: 50 → 48 → 44 → 40 → 34 → 28 → 20. The progressively larger decreases at the edges create a smooth, gently rounded bottom while keeping the central mask design flat and visible.

PANEL 5 — Strap

With Color A, ch 15.

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (14 sc) Math check: 14 ÷ 5.5 = 2.55" ≈ 2.5" wide.

Rows 2–240: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (14 sc) Math check: 240 rows ÷ 6 = 40" long.

Fasten off, leaving long tails at both ends for seaming. Tip: For extra strength, work a line of surface slip stitch or single crochet down the center of the strap once complete.

Attached Stitch Chart (Spider-Man Mask)

Do not look for a grid drawn in this text — the visual chart is supplied as a separate attached chart panel.

• Placement: The attached chart panel corresponds to Flap Rows 2–42 (the straight section of Panel 4). It is 50 stitches wide × 41 chart rows tall (one chart row per flap row).
• How to read it (crochet, worked flat):
  • Read RS rows right-to-left and WS rows left-to-right, following the arrows on the chart panel. Because you turn every row, alternate the reading direction each row.
  • Each square = 1 single crochet. The square's color tells you which yarn to use for that stitch.
  • Row 1 of the chart aligns with flap Row 2; work upward through the chart as you work upward through the flap.
• Color-change handling:
  • Change color on the final yarn-over of the stitch immediately before a new-color square so the new stitch begins cleanly.
  • Carry the non-working colors (A red background, B black web, C white eyes) loosely across the back inside the stitches; do not cut and rejoin for each block.
  • The mask features: solid red (A) background, black (B) curved web lines radiating from center, and two large white (C) eyes each bordered by a black (B) outline.
• Stitch-count integration:
  • The chart is exactly 50 sts wide, matching the flap's 50-st rows — no added or removed stitches. Confirm 50 sc at the end of every charted row.
  • The chart does not include the curved shaping (Flap Rows 43–48); those are worked in Color A only after the chart is complete.
  • If your chart panel lists fewer than 41 rows, work any remaining straight flap rows in solid Color A before beginning the curve.

Assembly & Finishing

1. Weave in ends from colorwork, leaving seaming tails intact.

2. Optional base stiffener: Insert the plastic canvas/cardboard against the inside of the Front or Back panel base before seaming for a rigid bottom.

3. Attach the gusset:

• With WS together and using the yarn needle and gusset tail, whipstitch or sc-seam the gusset strip around the sides and bottom of the Back panel: start at the top of one side, down the side, across the bottom, up the other side.
• Repeat to attach the opposite long edge of the gusset to the Front panel.
• The gusset's short ends meet the top side edges of the panels; the bag top stays open.

4. Attach the flap:

• The flap is joined at the top back edge. Align the flap's Row 1 (foundation edge) with the top edge of the Back panel (RS of flap facing out when folded down over the front).
• Seam securely across all 50 stitches.

5. Attach the strap:

• Pin one short end of the strap to the top of the gusset on one side; pin the other end to the top of the gusset on the opposite side.
• Whipstitch each end down firmly, reinforcing with a second pass of stitching for weight support.

6. Add the closure:

• Center a magnetic snap or button/loop closure between the front panel and the underside of the curved flap point.
• For a button: sew the button to the front panel and use a chained loop (ch 12, joined) on the flap tip, or install a hidden sew-on snap for a cleaner look.

7. Optional edge finish:

• With Color A, work one round of sc evenly around the flap's outer (curved) edge to neaten. Work approx. 1 sc per row-end and 1 sc per st along the bottom; adjust to keep the edge flat (skip an occasional st on tight curves, add one on flat runs).

8. Final weave-in of all remaining ends. Steam-block the flap lightly (if fiber allows) to flatten the colorwork and set the curve.

Finished!

Fold the flap down over the front so the Spider-Man mask faces forward, secure the closure, sling it over your shoulder, and swing into your day. 🕸️