Bucket Bag Crochet Pattern
Start by creating a flat circle for the base of the bag. Use any of the four basic stitches (single, half double, double, or treble crochet). The number of stitches (X) in round 1 will change depending on which stitch you want to use. Below is a range for each stitch, the number you pick is X. If you are not getting a flat circle you may need to decrease or increase this number as crochet tension can vary by person. If you want to play around with shapes, starting with less stitches (I recommend no less than 4) will give you a cone or bowl shape while adding extra will give you a ruffled edge. If you want a hole in the middle start on a later round. See specific round for how to begin.
6 - 7 sc
9 - 11 hdc
12- 13 dc
14 - 18 tr
Tip: If working single crochet, use a stitch marker to mark the first or last stitch of each round as it can be hard to track.
Bucket Bag Instructions
Turning chains: Use at the start of each round. Follow the rules below for the stitch you choose. Reference diagrams at the end for visual.
sc – ch 1, only use for round 1 and none after, does not count as a stitch.
hdc – ch 2, use each round, does not count as a stitch.
dc – ch 3, use each round, counts as first stitch of each round.
tr – ch 4, use each round, counts as first stitch of each round.
Slip stitches: Use at the end of each round to link the last stitch to the first stitch to close the round. Follow the rules below for the stitch you choose. Reference diagrams at the end for visual.
sc – only use for very last round worked, link last sc to first sc. If stopping on round 1, skip turning chain as this does not count as stitch.
hdc – use each round, link last hdc to first hdc, skip turning chain as this does not count as stitch.
dc, & tr – use each round, link last stitch to turning chain as this counts as a stitch.
For magic ring (MR) and foundation row ring (FRR) instructions see Crochet 101 - working in rounds
Create a MR or a FRR of 3 chs.
Rd 1: Work X sts on a ring, Sl st to first st to close if applies.
(X) – total number of stitches in round
Sample starts with 6 sc.
If starting on rd 2, create a FRR of X chs.
Rd 2: Work 2 sts in each st on rd, Sl st to first st to close if applies.
(X*2)
If starting on rd 3, Create a FRR of X*2 chs.
Rd 3: *Work 2 sts in first st, work 1 st in next st, rep from * until end of rd, Sl st to first st to close if applies.
(X*3)
If starting on rd 4, Create a FRR of X*3 chs.
Rd 4: *Work 2 sts in first st, work 1 st in each of the next 2 sts, rep from * until end of rd, Sl st to first st to close if applies.
(X*4)
If starting on rd 5, Create a FRR of X*4 chs.
Rd 5: *Work 2 sts in first st, work 1 st in each of the next 3 sts, rep from * until end of rd, Sl st to first st to close if applies.
(X*5)
Stop on any of the increasing rounds above or continue increasing your flat circle by adding 1 extra stitch at the end of each rep for each new round as you have above.
Flat Circle Diagrams
Single Crochet
Half Double Crochet
Double Crochet
Treble Crochet
Bag Walls
Once your circle bottom is complete work rounds without increasing to create the bag walls.
Rd Non-Increase: Work 1 st in each st on the round, Sl st to first st to close if applies.
Repeat until desired height.
Work on the back loop or even back post to add a design flare.
If you want to experiment with shaping you can alternate between an increase round and 1 or more non-increase rounds to create sloped walls.
Another option once you complete your bag bottom is to incorporate any repetitive crochet pattern for your bag walls. To do this the circle bottom’s last round’s “total number of stitches in round” seen as “(X*#)” must be equal to the repetitive pattern’s multiplier.
For example, if your repetitive pattern says chain a multiple of 4 you will need your circle bottom to end on a round that’s total number of stitches is also a multiple of 4. If you are not sure what the multiplier is for a specific repetitive pattern, create a sample and count the number of chain stitches in the foundation that make up one repeat. All my repetitive crochet patterns include this multiplier with the foundation row ring (FRR).
Strap and Closures
There are many ways you can finish your bag depending on how you will use it.
1. Simply leave the top open.
2. Create or use a rope to weave in and out of one of the top few rounds to drawstring it closed. Connect the rope ends together.
3. Create or use a rope. Fold in both sides equally and insert a rope through the layers on one side then through the layers on the other side. Connect the rope ends together.
4. For bigger bags create a thicker strap. The strap can be made separate then attached to the bag, or you can start by crocheting one end directly to the bag then attaching the other end to the other side for the bag.
