Welcome to your next obsession! If youโve been looking for a project that combines high-fashion “Boho-chic” vibes with the satisfying texture of 3D crochet, youโve found it. The Flora-Glow Bucket Bag is a showstopper, featuring raised floral motifs that pop off the surface, paired with a sturdy structural base.
This bag isn’t just an accessory; itโs a piece of wearable art. In this detailed guide, we will break down the construction into manageable steps, from the magic ring center to the final drawstring pull. Let’s get our hooks ready!
๐งถ Materials and Tool Kit
To achieve the crisp, structured look seen in the video, the choice of yarn is paramount. You want something with “memory” that won’t sag when you put your phone and wallet inside.
- The Yarn:3mm Macrame Cotton Cord or a high-quality 8-ply Cotton Yarn held double.
- Color A (Center): Sun Yellow (approx. 50g).
- Color B (Petals): Cream or Pure White (approx. 100g).
- Color C (Main Body/Background): Sage Green or Mocha (approx. 200g).
- The Hook: 4.0 mm or 4.5 mm Crochet Hook. A tighter gauge is better for bags to ensure items don’t slip through the stitches.
- Hardware: * Magnetic snap (optional).
- Two metal D-rings (for the strap).
- A leather or cord drawstring.
- Notions: Large-eye tapestry needle, stitch markers, and sharp scissors.
๐ Section 1: The Anatomy of the 3D Flower Motif
The bag is built from individual floral squares. For a standard-sized bucket bag, you will need to crochet 10 to 12 motifs depending on your desired circumference.
- The Center (Color A): Start with a Magic Ring.
- Round 1: Chain 2 (counts as first HDC), then work 11 HDC into the ring. Join with a Sl St to the top of the Ch-2. (12 stitches). Fasten off Color A.
- The 3D Petals (Color B): Join Color B to any stitch.
- Round 2: We are using a Popcorn Stitch for volume. Chain 3, work 4 DC in the same stitch. Drop the loop from the hook, insert the hook into the top of the Ch-3, grab the dropped loop and pull through. (First Popcorn made).
- Ch 2, Skip no stitches, work a 5-DC Popcorn in the next stitch. Repeat around. You should have 12 3D petals. Join and fasten off Color B.
- Squaring the Flower (Color C): Join the background color in any Ch-2 space between petals.
- Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as DC), 2 DC in the same space.
- In the next space (Side): 3 HDC.
- In the next space (Corner): [3 DC, Ch 2, 3 DC].
- Repeat the [Side, Corner] sequence around. This turns your circle into a square.
๐ผ Section 2: Building the Floral Wall
Once you have your 10-12 squares finished, it is time to unite them into the “walls” of your bucket bag.
- Layout: Arrange your squares into a grid. Usually, this is 2 rows high and 5 or 6 squares wide.
- The Joining Stitch: For a seamless, “boutique” look, use the Inside Loop Only Slip Stitch join. Place two squares right sides together and slip stitch through the back loops only of both pieces. This creates a flat, professional seam that doesn’t distract from the 3D flowers.
- Creating the Cylinder: Once your grid is joined, sew the two ends together to create a large tube. This is the main body of your bag.
๐ฅฏ Section 3: Engineering the Circular Base
A bucket bag is defined by its round bottom. We will crochet this separately and then attach it.
- The Foundation: Using Color C, start with a Magic Ring.
- The Growth:
- Round 1: 12 DC into the ring. (12).
- Round 2: 2 DC in every stitch. (24).
- Round 3: 1 DC, 1 Inc. Repeat around. (36).
- Round 4: 2 DC, 1 Inc. Repeat around. (48).
- Round 5: 3 DC, 1 Inc. Repeat around. (60).
- Round 6: Continue increasing in this pattern until the diameter of the circle matches the width of your “tube” from Section 2.
- The Structural Lip: Work one final round of SC in the Back Loop Only (BLO). This creates a sharp 90-degree edge that helps the bag stand upright.
๐ Section 4: Merging the Base and the Walls
This is the most critical structural step.
- Alignment: Turn your floral tube inside out and place the base circle (also inside out) against the bottom edge. Use stitch markers to pin the four “corners” to ensure the base doesn’t shift as you sew.
- Connection: Use a sturdy SC join or a tapestry needle to whip-stitch the base to the floral wall. Ensure you go through both loops of the base and the bottom edge of the flowers for maximum strength.
- Turn Right-Side Out: You will now see your bucket bag take its final 3D shape!
๐๏ธ Section 5: The Top Rim and Eyelets
To make the bag functional, we need a clean top edge and holes for the drawstring.
- The Finishing Rounds: Attach Color C to the top of the bag. Work 2 rounds of standard SC around the rim.
- The Eyelet Round: To create the holes for the drawstring:
- Work 4 SC, Chain 2, Skip 2 stitches. * Repeat this pattern around the entire circumference. These Ch-2 spaces will be your “eyelets.”
- The Final Border: Work one last round of SC, placing 2 SC into every Ch-2 space from the previous round. Finish with a round of Slip Stitches to prevent the opening from stretching.
๐ Section 6: Straps and Drawstring Assembly
- The Drawstring: You can use a store-bought leather cord or crochet a Simple I-Cord using Color C. Thread it through the eyelets created in Section 5. Add tassels or wooden beads to the ends for extra flair.
- The Handle: For a classic bucket bag look, crochet a “Short Handle”:
- Chain 6. Work SC rows until the strap is 30cm long.
- Sew the ends to the inside of the rim.
- The Crossbody Strap (Optional): Attach D-rings to the sides and clip on a long metal chain or a wide macrame strap to make the bag more versatile.
Video Tutorial:
๐ก Expert Tips for a Luxury Finish
- Tension is Key: If your flower squares are different sizes, your bag will look lopsided. Check your gauge after the first square!
- The Lining Trick: Crochet bags can stretch. To prevent this, consider sewing a simple fabric cylinder (using linen or cotton) and hand-stitching it into the inside of the rim. This will make your bag last for years.
- Steam Blocking: Once finished, lightly steam the 3D petals with an iron (do not touch the yarn!). This will make the petals stand up and look much “sharper.”
Congratulations! You have just hand-crafted the Flora-Glow Bucket Bag. Itโs vibrant, textured, and uniquely yours.
