👜LEFT-HANDED | Crochet Bag for the Holiday Season

✨ Introduction: Elegance and Structure

Welcome to the detailed pattern for the “Maria” Structured Shimmer Tote, a chic and robust handbag designed with a gorgeous texture and a stunning decorative ribbon detail. Inspired by the durable and stylish design in the video, this bag utilizes a specialized single crochet technique to create a dense, woven fabric that stands up beautifully without needing a stiff lining. The use of polypropylene or nautical yarn gives the bag a lovely subtle sheen, making it perfect for an elegant night out or a vibrant holiday party.

This pattern is ideal for intermediate crocheters familiar with basic stitches and shaping. The main body is worked in one flat piece and then seamed, showcasing a unique side border created with simple slip stitches.

Key Design Features

• Woven Texture (Center Single Crochet): The body is worked in a dense stitch, often called Center Single Crochet (CSC) or Split Single Crochet, which mimics the look of knit V’s and provides superior structure.
• Integrated Border: Each row begins and ends with two Slip Stitches, creating a tight, decorative, and sturdy vertical edge that eliminates the need for separate edging.
• Customizable: The length and width can be easily adjusted by changing the foundation chain count and the number of rows.
• Elegant Finish: The separate, central ribbon panel adds a tailored, luxurious finish.

📚 Materials & Terminology

Abbreviation	Meaning
ch	Chain
st(s)	Stitch(es)
sl st	Slip Stitch
sc	Single Crochet
csc	Center Single Crochet (also known as Split Single Crochet, worked into the ‘V’ of the previous stitch)
rep	Repeat
RS	Right Side
WS	Wrong Side

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Approximately 350 grams (12.3 oz) of 3mm Nautical (Polypropylene) Yarn or a T-shirt yarn alternative for structure.
• Hook: 4.5 mm crochet hook.
• Tools:
  • Scissors and a tapestry needle (with a large eye to accommodate the thick yarn).
  • Stitch Markers.
  • 18 mm Magnetic Button or clasp for closure.
  • Needle and matching nylon thread (0.30mm recommended) for attaching the button.
  • Two 3 cm Carabiner Clips or D-rings (Mosquetões) for the strap.
  • Lighter (optional, for sealing the ends of polypropylene yarn).

📐 Gauge & Sizing

Gauge is crucial for this project. Your tension should be firm to maintain the bag’s structure.

• Foundation Chain (55 ch): Should measure approximately 38.5 cm (15 inches).
• Finished Panel Width (54 sts): Should measure approximately 23.5 cm (9.25 inches).
• Finished Bag Dimensions (Folded, after 38 rows):
  • Height: ~38 cm (15 inches)
  • Width: ~23.5 cm (9.25 inches)

Sizing Note: The bag’s height is determined by the number of rows, and the width is determined by the foundation chain.

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🔝 Part 1: The Main Body Panel

The body is crocheted flat in rows. Be sure to leave a long tail at the beginning and end for seaming.

Prep: Measure and cut a 160 cm (63 inches) long tail. This will be used to seam the first side of the bag.

Foundation Chain & Setup (Row 1)

1. Start with the working yarn after the long seaming tail. Make a slip knot.
2. Ch 55.

Row 1: The Foundation Row

• This row is worked into the back bumps of the foundation chain for a clean bottom edge.

1. Sk first ch (the first st is worked in the 2nd ch from the hook).
2. 2 Sl St into the next two back bumps (Place a marker in the 2nd Sl St).
3. 50 SC into the next 50 back bumps.
4. 2 Sl St into the last two back bumps. (Place a marker in the 2nd Sl St).
   • [Total 54 stitches: 4 Sl St, 50 SC]
5. Ch 1, turn.

The Body Rows (Rows 2–38)

• The body rows use the Center Single Crochet (CSC) technique for the middle section to build the woven fabric.

1. Start Border: 2 Sl St into the first two stitches. (Move the marker up to the 2nd Sl St).
2. Middle Section (CSC): Work 50 CSC across the next 50 stitches.
   • To execute CSC: Insert your hook into the center of the ‘V’ of the stitch from the previous row, instead of under the top loops.
3. End Border:2 Sl St into the last two stitches (the marked stitch and the one before it). (Move the marker up to the 2nd Sl St).
   • [Total 54 stitches]
4. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat this pattern for a total of 38 rows.

Finish: Cut the yarn, leaving another 160 cm (63 inches) tail for seaming the second side. Pull the tail through the last loop to secure.

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🎀 Part 2: The Decorative Ribbon

The ribbon is worked as a flat rectangle, similar to the main body, but without the slip stitch border, and then finished with a central band.

Ribbon Panel (Rows 1–15)

1. Ch 33.
2. Row 1: SC in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. [32 SC] Ch 1, turn.
3. Rows 2–15: SC in each st across, working into the center of the stitch (CSC) for the most dense and attractive fabric.
4. Ch 1, turn. (Total 15 rows, or desired height for the ribbon).

Finish: Fasten off, leaving a short tail to weave in.

Ribbon Central Band

1. Ch 15 (or enough to wrap snugly around the pinched center of the ribbon panel).
2. Row 1: Sl St in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across.
3. Fasten off, leaving a tail for assembly.

Ribbon Assembly

1. Take the ribbon panel and pinch it tightly in the center to create the bow shape.
2. Wrap the Central Band around the pinched section.
3. Use the tail to sew the ends of the Central Band together at the back of the bow, hiding the join.
4. Weave in all remaining ends on the ribbon piece.

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🔗 Part 3: Assembly & Seaming

You will now fold the panel and use the long tails to sew the sides closed.

1. Fold: Fold the main body panel flat, aligning Row 1 and Row 38. This forms the side seams.
2. Placement of Ribbon: Pin the completed ribbon piece onto the front of the bag, centering it on the panel. The video suggests placing it about 7 rows down from the top edge.
3. Seaming the Sides (Side 1):
   • Thread the tapestry needle with the starting tail (160 cm).
   • Starting at the bottom corner, use a Slip Stitch Join method (or a simple overcast stitch if using a needle) to seam the side closed. Work through the outer loop of each corresponding stitch to create a durable, tight join.
   • Crucial Step (Joining the Ribbon): When you reach the ribbon, continue the seam, but stitch through the edge of the ribbon, securing it to the bag panel as you close the side seam.
   • Continue to the top of the bag. Weave in the remainder of the tail securely on the inside.
4. Seaming the Sides (Side 2):
   • Repeat the seaming process using the ending tail (160 cm) on the second side, ensuring the ribbon is also secured into this seam.

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🔩 Part 4: The Strap and Final Hardware

The Strap

The strap is a round cord made entirely of slip stitches.

1. Start with a slip knot, but keep it loose. Ch 3 (or 4).
2. Sl St into the 2nd ch from the hook, and Sl St into the next ch.
3. Twist your work so you are working into the edge of the previous sl st.
4. Continue working Sl St into the side/edge loops of the previous stitch. The work will naturally begin to curl and form a round, rope-like cord.
5. Continue until the strap measures your desired length (45 cm / 17.7 inches is suggested for a small shoulder/wrist strap).
6. Fasten off, leaving a tail for attachment.

Attaching the Hardware

1. Attach Carabiner Clips: Thread the tail through the end loops of the strap and then through the loop of the carabiner clip/D-ring. Secure the tail by sewing it back down the strap for about 1 inch. Trim and seal (if using nautical yarn).
2. Attach to Bag: The carabiner clips attach directly to the top corners of the bag opening, where the seam finishes.

Video Tutorial:

Attaching the Magnetic Button

1. Using a normal sewing needle and nylon thread, determine the center placement for the magnetic button on the inside of the bag opening.
2. Sew the first part of the magnetic button to the back panel of the bag, near the top edge.
3. Close the bag and align the second part of the button directly across from the first. Mark the placement.
4. Sew the second part of the magnetic button to the front panel of the bag.

Your beautiful and sturdy “Maria” Tote is complete!