Tunisian Crochet Pattern: Basketweave Mini Messenger Bag

I’m a big fan of Tunisian crochet, and I especially love using it to make bags. Although Tunisian crochet can be delicate and lacy, it can also make a nice, dense fabric if you use a hook that is the right size. That fabric is perfect if you’re like me and don’t love to sew in lining. I’m sharing a Tunisian crochet bag pattern in two sizes along with instructions for felting the larger size!

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. The yarn for the sample was generously provided by Rowan.

Alternatively, you can use a 100% wool yarn and felt (or “full”) this bag. That will make it even denser and easier to use for every day wear. I used Rowan Big Wool for the sample, but I actually like the look of the unfelted bag.

I love the texture the basketweave stitch creates on the surface, and it’s a great way to practice two of the basic Tunisian crochet stitches in one project.

This post is part of the Countdown to Christmas I’m sharing with folks signed up for the Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter.

Each day through December 24, 2024, I’m sharing a 2-day free coupon code straight to your inbox for one of my crochet patterns that is perfect for winter or holiday crafting. The Basketweave Mini Messenger Bag is the December 5 featured pattern. Sign up now to get access to the free PDF! (When you sign up for this list, you get regular updates from Underground Crafter, and an update email about every pattern for the CALs I host as those patterns are released. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses.)

If you make your own Basketweave Mini Messenger Bag, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter or on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Basketweave Mini Messenger Bag to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Basketweave Mini Messenger Bag

Tunisian Crochet Bag Pattern by Underground Crafter

Tunisian stitches combine to create a great texture. Choose a wool yarn and make the larger size if you plan to felt. 

Finished Sizes

• Teen/Adult: 12” (30.5 cm) width x 8” (20.5 cm) height x 3.5” (9 cm) depth.

Materials

• Rowan Big Wool yarn (available online at LoveCrafts | Jimmy Beans) (3.5 oz/100 g/87 yds/80 m/100% Merino wool) – 5 skeins 068 Sun (CA) and 1 (1) skein 043 Forest (CB), or approximately 417 yds (381 m) in CA and 20 yds/18 m (40 yds/36.5 m) in CB in any super bulky weight yarn.
• Denise US Size N-15 (9 mm) Tunisian crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Denise US size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook for assembly, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Yarn needle.

Gauge

• 10 sts /10 rows = 4” (10 cm) in pattern with larger hook. Exact gauge is not critical for this project, but fabric should be stiff and dense, so bag can hold its shape.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern (* see Special Stitch Patterns, below)

• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• ch – chain
• Return Row – Ch 1, [yo and draw through 2 loops] across. A helpful video tutorial for the Tunisian Base Row (Forward and Return) is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial for Tunisian crochet return row above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• RS – right (front) side
• sc – single crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(s) – stitch(s)
• Tks – Tunisian knit stitch – Insert hook from front to back through center of next vertical bar, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook. A video tutorial for this stitch pattern is available below.

• Tps – Tunisian purl stitch – Bring yarn to front, insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook. A video tutorial for this stitch pattern is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial above demonstration the Tps, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• Tss – Tunisian simple stitch – Insert hook behind next vertical bar, yo, draw through loop, and leave it on hook. A helpful video tutorial for this stitch is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial above demonstration the Tss, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• WS – wrong (interior) side
• yo – yarn over
• * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• First vertical bar of each row (underneath first chain on hook) is always skipped.
• This bag is crocheted in three pieces: the front, the bag (which folds over to close the bag), and the strap/gusset.
• Instructions for are for unfelted bag, with instructions for felted bag in parenthesis.
• If you’re new to blocking, get more information and watch video tutorials here.
• A helpful video demonstrating how to seam with a single crochet join is available below.

• If you can’t see the video tutorial above demonstrating the single crochet join, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• A helpful video demonstrating how to seam with a slip stitch join is available below.

• If you can’t see the video demonstrating how to seam with a slip stitch above, click HERE to watch it on YouTube.
• A helpful photo tutorial demonstrating how to felt wool in the washer and dryer is available here.

Pattern Instructions

Bag

Front Piece

• With larger hook and CA, ch 34 (39).
• Row 1: (RS) Forward: Skip first ch, [insert hook in next ch, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook] across. Work Return Row. – 34 (39) sts.
• Row 2: Forward: Tps to last st, Tss. Work return row.
• Row 3: Forward: Tps, [5 Tks, 5 Tps] across to last 2 (7) sts, (5 Tks), Tps, Tss. Work return row.
• Rows 4 – 7: Repeat Row 3, 4 times.
• Row 8: Forward: Tps, [5 Tps, 5 Tks] across to last 2 (7) sts, (5 Tps), Tps, Tss. Work return row.
• Rows 9 – 12: Repeat Row 8, 4 times.
• Rows 13 – 22: Repeat Rows 3 – 12. UNFELTED SIZE ONLY: Continue to Final Row.
• Rows 23 – 27: Repeat Rows 3 – 7.
• Final Row: [Tps in next st, yo and draw through both loops on hook] across to last st, Tss in last st, yo and draw through both loops on hook. Fasten off.

Back Piece

• Follow pattern for front piece through Row 22 (27).
• Next 20 (25) Rows: Repeat Rows 3 – 22 (Rows 8 – 27).
• Repeat Final Row as for front piece.

Strap/Gusset

• With larger hook, ch 9 (14).
• Row 1: (RS) Forward: Skip first ch, [insert hook in next ch, yo and pull up a loop, leave loop on hook] across. Work return row.
• Row 2: Forward: Tps to last st, Tss. Work return row.
• Rows 3-6: Repeat Row 2, 4 times.
• Row 7: Forward: Tks to last st, Tss. Work return row.
• Rows 8 – 11: Repeat Row 7, 4 times.
• Repeat Rows 2 – 11, 15 (17) more times.
• Repeat Final Row as for front piece.
• Fasten off with 10”/25 cm (15”/38 cm) yarn tail.

Assembly

• Spray block all pieces (see Pattern Notes).
• Start with Front piece and Strap/Gusset. Align first row of Strap/Gusset with final row of Front Piece. With WS facing and smaller crochet hook, join CB with sl st through center loops of front piece and Strap/Gusset and join with single crochet seam (see Pattern Notes) as follows:
  • Ch 1, starting in same loops as sl st, *sc through center loop of each st on Front Piece and Strap/Gusset across to last st on side,** 2 sc through center loops of last st, turn and begin working across next edge, 2 sc through center loops of first st of next edge; repeat from * across twice, ending last repeat at **, sc through center loop of last st, fasten off.

• Align Back Piece with unworked side of Strap/Gusset, beginning at edge of Row 22 (Row 27) of the back piece. With WS facing and smaller crochet hook, follow instructions for joining Front Piece and Strap/Gusset, finishing at the edge of Row 22 (Row 27) on the other side of the Back Piece.
• Align first and final row of Strap/Gusset. With RS facing and smaller crochet hook, use long yarn tail from Final Row to seam Strap closed with slip stitch (see Pattern Notes).

Finishing

• Finish off by weaving in yarn tails with yarn needle.
• For unfelted bag, wet block strap (see Pattern Notes).
• For felted bag, see Pattern Notes for a felting tutorial, or wash in warm water (in machine on delicate cycle with denim or other items that don’t pill, or by hand) with gentle soap or detergent. If bag hasn’t yet felted to desired size, tumble dry low, checking frequently. Remove bag from dryer promptly. Spray block to shape.

© 2015, 2024 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: https://undergroundcrafter.com/2015/07/15/free-pattern-basketweave-mini-messenger-bag. Thanks for supporting indie designers!