Girls can’t get enough bags in their closets. They definitely need this Smiley Crochet Granny Square Bag as one of their bag options to go with their OOTD (Outfit Of The Day). Whip up 11 solid granny squares and 2 smiley granny squares for this cheerful crochet granny square bag. Just sling it over your shoulder and the shoulder strap will pull the bag shut and close it.
We will be posting more free crochet bag patterns for this period. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates. Read on for the crochet pattern and how to crochet a granny square bag.
Construction Method Of This Crochet Granny Square Bag
• Make
As the name suggests, this crochet Granny Square bag is made from several Granny Square blocks. Out of the many Granny Square patterns available to choose from, we chose to use the Smiley Face Granny Square Pattern and the Modified Solid Granny Square Pattern to crochet this bag. We have included these 2 Granny Square patterns in the patterns and how-to instructions below.
• Arrange
After crocheting 13 squares, including 11 solid granny squares and 2 smiley granny squares, we join them together to make a bag. The squares are oriented diagonally, with each of the 4 corners facing up, down, left, and right. Place them on the table and follow the granny square bag layout we showed in the pattern section to arrange the squares.
• Joining
We join the granny squares with a Flat Slip Stitch which is a perfect join to give a flat nice seam between the squares. However, you can choose other granny square joining styles of your preference.
• Finishing
Crochet the edging and a strap to complete the Smiley crochet solid granny square bag.
Crochet Supplies
The crochet material is pretty simple, you should be able to find it in craft stores. We used raffia yarns, but you can always substitute them with other lightweight yarns that are suitable for making bags (Refer to the FAQ section for more details). We used 2 rolls (about 270 yards per roll) of ivory yarn and 1 roll of yellow. You will also need some black yarn to outline the expression of the smiley.
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, the bag is pulled closed with a single strap, so we need a pair of rings for this simple mechanism.
Crochet Tools
As with other crochet projects, you will need a crochet hook to crochet this bag. We used a 3 mm crochet hook to crochet the squares and join them. If you use other yarns, please check the label for the recommended crochet hook size (for more information, see FAQ ).
Most crochet will need to be blocked to get its final shape. For raffia yarn, we use an iron with a steam function to lightly press the square into shape. If you are using other yarn materials, you can block the square with a blocking board.
Other crochet tools you will need are a tapestry needle to weave in the yarn tails and scissors to cut the yarn.
Skill Level
We have classified this Smiley granny square bag as an Intermediate level crochet pattern because you need to know how to join the granny squares together. However, with our detailed instructions and FAQ in the pattern, it should be doable even for beginners.
The basic crochet stitches you need to know are chain stitches, slip stitches, single crochet stitches, half double crochet stitches, double crochet stitches, and treble crochet stitches. You also need to know how to increase and decrease these stitches. If you have trouble understanding this, we have a crochet tutorial for beginners that you can use as a guide.
Frequent Asked Questions FAQ
Can I use other granny square patterns to make this Happy Smiley Bag?
Surely, you can replace these squares with your favorite Granny Square pattern. We have compiled a list of Granny Square patterns for you to choose from.
If you use more than one Granny Square pattern for this bag, make sure they have the same number of stitches in the last round.
Can I use other yarns instead?
Why not? You can use other types of yarn as long as they are suitable for making a bag.
To keep the approximate size of this Happy Smiley Bag, you can substitute fingering weight yarn or spot yarn for the raffia yarn
However, if you prefer a larger granny square bag, you can use a heavier yarn, such as a light-worsted or worsted-weight yarn.
What size of crochet hook to use if I use other kinds of yarn?
In this pattern, we use a 3 mm crochet hook for the raffia yarn. If you are using fingering weight yarn or sport yarn, you can easily use a 3 mm crochet hook.
If you are replacing the raffia yarn with light-worsted or worsted-weight yarn, you will need to use a larger crochet hook, 4 or 5 mm.
Please read the label of the yarn to check the recommendations on hook size.
Can I make the strap longer or shorter?
You can definitely do that. Just add more rounds or crochet fewer rounds of the strap pattern to adjust your length.
Can I make 2 shorter shoulder straps instead of 1 single sling strap?
Yes, you can modify the crochet pattern to make it a granny square tote bag with 2 shoulder straps.
To do this, just repeat the crochet instructions for the strap on both sides of the bag. In this case, the metal rings are not needed.
The length of the strap is usually about 20″ – 22″.
What is the other option for bag closure?
You can add a loop made up of a few chain stitches to the center of the bag opening (the valley between the 2 squares) in the last round of edging. Sew a button on the opposite side so that the loop can hook onto it.
WHAT’S NEXT:
- Start crocheting and share your completed handmade on Facebook and/or Instagram. Remember to tag us, @craftpassion, so that we are able to see them.
- Pin it to Pinterest for future To-Crochet List
- Share with your crochet groups for a crochet-along event.
- Browse more free crochet patterns to make, particularly for bags & purses.
- Get more free crochet patterns for Raffia Yarn Projects.
Happy crocheting!
How To Crochet Smiley Granny Square Bag
Whip up 11 solid granny squares and 2 smiley face granny squares to make this happy crochet granny square bag. It is a great crochet shoulder bag pattern to make when you are on the go.
You will find the size of this crochet granny square tote bag is perfect for the essentials. Just sling it on the shoulder, the tote bag will draw and close, and items will be kept securely inside.
Finished Dimension: Bag - 12 W x 12 ¾ H inches, Strap Length - approximately 18 inches from shoulder
Enjoy crocheting them!
Materials
Yarn (We used Raffia Yarn)
- Ivory color, 2 rolls
- Yellow color, 1 roll
- Black color, short length; to outline the expression of the smiley face
Other Material
- Rings for drawcord closure, 1 pair
Tools
- Crochet hook, 3mm
- Tapestry Needle
- Scissors
- Iron with steam function (for blocking the squares)
Instructions
How To Crochet Tote Bag With Solid Granny Squares and Smiley Face Granny Squares
- Crochet the granny squares from the crochet patterns below.
Solid Granny Square = 11 pieces
Smiley Face Granny Square = 2 pieces
- Block the granny squares with a steam iron on medium heat to keep them flat and square. Press the granny square with the iron, remove the iron from the granny square then quickly shape the piece into a square. Repeat the process as needed.
- Arrange the squares in a diagonal orientation with the following numbers per row (7 rows total): 2,3,2,1,2,1,2, with the smiley square in the second row and in the sixth row. Take note that the smiley in the sixth row is upside down. Look at the picture to understand the instructions.
- Join the center granny squares right side up using the Flat Slip Stitch method, or choose another granny square join of your choice.
In order to obtain a continuous route on the joining, refer to the picture for the flow of how we join them.
- Fold the center piece in half, with one smiley facing up and the other facing down. Continue to join the remaining 2 pieces of the squares on the sides.
The smiley granny square tote bag will have 4 square corners at the bag opening, as shown in the picture. These are the places where we can add a strap and make a drawcord closure for the tote bag.
- Refer to the border crochet pattern below and crochet a finishing border around the top of the smiley granny square tote. Add 2 rings to the corners of the granny squares on one side of the bag.
- Crochet a cord strap from one of the granny square corners that do not have a ring. Refer to the cord crochet pattern to do this.
- Once you have crocheted a sufficient length of cord (35" to 40"), draw the cord through the rings as shown in the picture.
Lastly, sew the lost end to the other corner of the granny square.
- Hide all yarn ends to keep the crochet bag neat.
Smiley Crochet Granny Square Tote Bag Pattern
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
ch2sp = chain 2 space
dc = double crochet
dec = decrease by sc2tog
hdc = half double crochet
hdcsp = half double crochet space
fo = fasten off
sc = single crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sl knot = slip knot
tr = treble crochet
Crochet Gauge:
Crochet Solid Granny Square
Round 1: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc, [ch2, 2dc] repeat 3 times in mr. Join with hdc in the first st. {16}
Round 2: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the hdc sp, dc in next 2 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 2 sts] repeat 3 times, 2dc in hdcsp. Join with hdc in the first st. {32}
Round 3: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the hdc sp, dc in next 6 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 6 sts] repeat 3 times, 2dc in hdcsp. Join with hdc in the first st. {48}
Round 4: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the hdc sp, dc in next 10 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 10 sts] repeat 3 times, 2dc in hdcsp. Join with hdc in the first st. {64}
Round 5: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the hdc sp, dc in next 14 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 14 sts] repeat 3 times, 2dc in hdcsp. Join with hdc in the first st. {80}
Crochet Smiley Face Granny Square Pattern
Make 2 pieces
With Yellow Yarn to crochet the circle smiley face
Round 1: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc 15 in mr. Join with sl st into the first st. {16}
Round 2: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the same st, 2dc inc in each st for the next 15 sts. Join with sl st into the first st. {32}
Round 3: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the same st, dc in next stitch, [2dc inc in next st, dc in next stitch] repeat around. Join with sl st into the first st. {48}
Fasten.
With Ivory Yarn,
Round 4: sl knot and insert the hook to the first st of the round and crochet this round in back loops only. [ch4 (count as 1 tr st), tr] in the same st, dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st, 2tr in next st, [ch2, 2tr in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next st, 2tr in next st] repeat 3 times to complete the round. Join with hdc in the first st. {64}
Round 5: ch3 (count as 1 dc st), dc in the hdc space, dc in next 14 sts, [(2dc, ch2, 2dc) in ch2sp, dc in next 14 sts] repeat 3 times, 2dc in hdc space, ch2. Join with sl st into the first st. {80}
Fasten and weave in all yarns.
Sew the smiley face with black yarn.
If you are having a problem and need help with the instruction, we have covered the details on how to crochet a smiley face granny square. Click the link to go there for more detailed instructions. Choose option 2, which is the same pattern we are using here.
Finishing Border
After joining up the squares to make a bag, make an sl knot with a new strand of Ivory yarn and insert the hook at either side of the bag.
Round 1: ch, sc around. Join with sl st into the second st. {160}
Round 2: ch, [sc in next 18 sts or until you are at the tip of the square, inc in next 2 sts (the sc sts at the ch2sp), sc in next 18 sts or until you are 1 st away from the bottom of the valley where the 2 granny squares meet at the center of the bag, dec] repeat 2 times. Repeat the instruction another 2 times and crochet a ring at the 2 increment stitches, which makes a total of 4 stitches in each ring (refer to photo in step 6 above). Join with sl st into the first st. {164}
Sling Strap
Make an sl knot with a new strand of Ivory yarn and insert the hook at the st just before the increment stitches on the tip of the square. ch and sc in next 6 sts. Continue to sc around and crochet in spiral rounds until the cord strap is about 35" to 40" long or until it reaches your preferred length. Fasten.
Notes
You can also use other granny square designs for this crochet bag. If you use more than 1 granny square pattern to make up the number of squares needed for this bag, make sure all the squares have the same number of stitches in the last round.
Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/smiley-crochet-granny-square-bag-pattern/
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Violeta
Wednesday 24th of May 2023
Your granny square bag turned out so cute and I'm absolutely loving your tutorial! In fact, I loved it so much that I featured it on Crafts on Display, a growing community of fellow crafting enthusiasts. You can check it out right here - https://craftsondisplay.com/crochet/smiley-granny-square-bag-crochet-pattern-35327/ I hope you enjoy it, and please keep up the fantastic work!