Japanese Knot Bag Crochet Pattern

The Japanese Knot Bag is a great beginner pattern! For the most part it is just two squares of single crochet sewn together, plus handles (which are also simple single crochet). It’s a great option for someone who is just beginning their crochet journey, but wants to try something really cute and trendy!

What is a Japanese Knot Bag?

The unique trait of a Japanese Knot Bag is that it doesn’t require any accessories to close. You don’t need a zipper, button or even drawstrings. All you do to close the bag is insert the longer handle through the shorter handle and you’re done!

It is easy to adjust the size of the longer handle to fit your preferred way to carry the bag. If you intend to carry it on your wrist or elbow, you can keep the handle shorter. If you’re more comfortable hooking it over your shoulder, you can add more length to your handle to accommodate that.

In order to adjust the handle to your preference, before you go on to the last step of sewing the handles down, you can experiment with that preferred length. If you want it longer, just add more rows. If you want it shorter, take a few rows out.

The Yarn I Used For This Knot Bag

I chose to use Loops & Threads Twist Love for this pattern. At the time of this pattern release, this yarn is quite new. Unfortunately, that often means that there’s a good chance it may be discontinued at some point, unless it’s a big hit!

But even if this yarn isn’t available at the time that you are reading this, or if you just prefer to use what you have on hand rather than buying exactly what I used… you’re in luck! This yarn is easily substituted with any other size 4, 100% cotton yarn!

The unique trait of this yarn, in comparison to regular size 4 cotton, is that it has a little bit of a zig-zaggy texture. It’s not just a straight, smooth strand of yarn. I always like to try something new and unique, so I grabbed it up. I think the only real difference you might find if you use another cotton yarn is that your stitches might actually have more definition than mine. I think the zigs and zags of the Twist Love may dull the stitch definition a little bit.

The Pattern

If  you would like to purchase an inexpensive, ad-free printable pdf version of this crochet japanese knot bag pattern, you can find it here at my Etsy shop.

Add this easy crochet japanese knot bag pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:

• 147 Yards Loops & Threads Twist Love weight 4 medium yarn (100% cotton, 168 yds/3.88oz, 154m/110g) I used color Light Green
• US I/ 5.5 mm Crochet Hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

4” swatch = approx. 14 sts x 18 rows

Finished Size:

9” x 9” (not including handles)

Abbreviation Key:

(ch) chain
(sl st) slip stitch
(sc) single crochet
Special skill: whip stitch

Pattern Notes:

I tend to crochet tightly. If you feel you are crocheting more loosely you can move to a smaller hook (or larger if you crochet even more tightly). Some people find they even need to go down two hook sizes to meet my gauge.

Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count as a stitch.

Pattern:

Side 1:

Ch 31.

Row 1: Sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. <30>

Row 2: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in same st and in each st across. <30>

Rows 3 – 38: Repeat Row 2.

Square should be approximately 9”x9”. Do not finish off but continue on to handle.

Side 1 handle:

Row 1: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in same st and in each of next 9 sts. <10>

Row 2 – 63: Repeat Row 1.

Handle should be approximately 15.5” long. Finish off, leaving a long tail. You can weave in the starting tail.

Note: This is the longer handle of the two. You can adjust the length to your preference if you would like it shorter or longer. You can check the length later just before the last step of sewing the handles down and adjust it then if desired.

Side 2:

Ch 31.

Row 1: Sc in back bump of 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. <30>

Row 2: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in same st and in each st across. <30>

Rows 3 – 38: Repeat Row 2.

Square should be approximately 9”x9”. Do not finish off but continue on to handle.

Side 2 handle:

Row 1: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in same st and in each of next 9 sts. <10>

Row 2 – 36: Repeat Row 1.

Handle should be approximately 8.5” long. Finish off, leaving a long tail. You can weave in the starting tail.

Construction:

Line up the two sides so that the handles are on opposite sides from each other. Starting at one side, directly below where the handles begin, use a yarn needle and a long piece of yarn to whip stitch the two sides of the bag together along the edge, moving down towards the corner. Continue to whip stitch along the bottom edges of the bag and up the other side. Stop when you reach the beginning of the strap on the opposite side. Finish off and weave in bag ends (not handles). Turn the bag right side out.

Using a yarn needle and the long ending tail of one of the handles, whip stitch the short end of the handle to the top of the opposite side of the bag. Repeat with the other handle. Weave in your remaining ends. Note: I would suggest sewing the short handle first. That way you can see how long the taller handle will be when closed. If you prefer it to be longer or shorter, you can adjust by adding or removing rows before sewing it in place.