Trifold Crochet Bag | Coconut Cakes Bag

This trifold crochet bag pattern could not be any simpler! When you see how it is done you will be amazed! This is such an easy and fun project!

How to Make a Trifold Crochet Bag

I recently learned how to make a trifold crochet bag and I am in love with the simplicity of it! All you do is crochet a rectangle that is 3 times as long as it is wide! So, if the rectangle is 12 inches wide, you crochet until it is 36 inches long and that’s it!

The Stitch I used for this Trifold Crochet Bag

One of the best things about this trifold design is that you can really use any stitch you like for your rectangle. For this particular bag I chose the bar stitch. It is constructed with only single crochets and front post double crochets.

The front post double crochet stitches create a visual striping design. This worked out really well for this trifold design. First of all because the lines run diagonally across the bag once it is folded, which looks great. Secondly, because the striping runs parallel to the seams, this design hides the seams really well.

Yarn Substitutions

I chose to use the fun new Caron Coconut Cake yarn for this design. Unfortunately, sometimes fun new yarn ends up discontinued quickly and this turned out to be one of them. If you like the flaky fringe effect this particular yarn has I’m sure it can still be found on Etsy and ebay.

However, if you’re looking for an alternative, my suggestion would be simply a 100% cotton or cotton blend, medium size 4 yarn. Partly because the coconut cake yarn really felt very close to a 100% cotton yarn and also because cotton is always a great pick for a bag. It’s durable and washes really well.

But honestly, in the end I think any size 4 yarn you have on hand could work for this design!

Adding a lining to your trifold crochet bag

I did not add a lining to this bag, however, one of my testers suggested it and I love the idea! There could not be an easier design for adding a liner.

I usually don’t add liners to my bags because it feels like a lot of trouble… and I like crocheting, but not sewing. Ha! But for this project, all you would have to do is create a fabric rectangle the size of your crocheted rectangle and attach it (whether by sewing or an adhesive). Continue with your folding and that’s it!

Pattern

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

Add this trifold crochet bag pattern to your Ravelry favorites HERE.

Materials:

• 487 yards weight 4 medium yarn – Sample uses Yarnspirations Caron Coconut Cakes in Blueberry Sorbet (78% cotton, 22% polyester, 8oz/227g, 481yds/440m)
• US I/ 5.5 mm Crochet Hook
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors
• One Pre-made handle (Sample shows 23” handle)
• Needle and thread for sewing on handle

Gauge:

After row 5 of pattern, project was approx. 11” wide and 1.25” tall

Finished Size:

16” tall x 15” wide

Abbreviation Key:

(ch) chain
(sk) skip
(st) stitch
(sl st) slip stitch
(fsc) foundation single crochet
(sc) single crochet
(fpdc) front post double crochet
** Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed

Pattern Notes:

I tend to crochet tightly. So be sure to check your gauge and if 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.

Pattern is a multiple of 3 plus 2 when using foundation single crochet for first row. It is multiple of 3 plus 3 when using starting chain method.

The bag is constructed in a rectangle that is 3 times as tall as it is wide (11” wide and 33” tall). You can resize the bag as long as you maintain this ratio of width to height.

Once the rectangle is completed, it is folded to create the bag shape and edges are seamed together with a whip stitch.

For reference in choosing or creating your own handle: the sample shows a 23” handle.

If you are a person who likes stripes to line up at seams, you may want to avoid a self-striping yarn. The stripes are not likely to line up.

Pattern

Row 1: Fsc 44.

Note: If you prefer to use a starting chain method, ch 45, sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across. <44>

Row 2: Ch 1. Turn. Sc across. <44>

Row 3: Ch 1. Turn. *Sc in next 2 st. Fpdc in sc two rows down. Sk sc behind fpdc.* Repeat from * to * until the last 2 st. Sc in last 2 st. <44>

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: Ch 1. Turn. *Sc in next 2 st. Fpdc in fpdc two rows down. Sk sc behind fpdc.* Repeat from * to * until the last 2 st. Sc in last 2 st. <44>

Note on sizing: After a few rows your width should be approximately 11 inches wide. If your sizing is off you can start again with a different size hook. Alternatively, you could continue your work and just make sure the final height is 3 times your width.

Rows 6 – 165: Repeat rows 4 and 5 until work reaches 33 inches long (end on a repeat of row 5).

Finish off and weave in ends.

Constructing the bag:

Lay rectangle so that the long sides are horizontal and the wrong side (side without the “bar” texture) is facing you.

Take the lower left corner and fold it up so that the left edge lines up with the top edge.

Take the upper right corner and fold it down so that the right edge lines up with the bottom edge.

Grab the right side of the bag that is folded AND the middle portion that is not folded. Fold it up so that the bottom edge that is not part of any folds yet lines up with the edge of the left-hand folded section.

Attach a long piece of yarn with a knot to the top of the seam that is created at the front of the bag by folding. Using a yarn needle, whip stitch down the seam. Secure and finish off.

Repeat for the seam on the back of the bag.

Weave in your ends. Attach ends of handle to the top corners of the bag with needle and thread.