Groovy Berry Crochet Messenger Bag Pattern

In the video below, Mary Beth walks you through the introduction of this project and the details of this bag so you can see the finished piece and learn about the stitches and assembly before getting started.
 

Skill Level: Easy
Crochet Hook: I/9 or 5.5 mm hook
Yarn Weight: (5) Bulky/Chunky (12-15 stitches for 4 inches)
Crochet Gauge: 11 sts and 5 rows = 4” in pattern for Back
Finished Size: 20” wide x 16” tall x 3” deep

Materials List:
Patons Shetland Chunky [75% acrylic/25% wool; 100 g; 148 m/135 yds); 5 skeins #24107878046 Oxford Grey (MC), 1 skein each #24107878310 Lilac Lace (A), #24107878008 Aran (B), and #24107878416 Pretty in Pink (C)
Crochet hook size I/9/5.50mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle
 

Multiple of 7+2

With A, ch 23.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 22 sts.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Extend your working loop so it does not unravel; do not turn work.

Row 3: With B, starting at beg of Row 2, sc in each of first 2 sc, *ch 7, sk 4 sc, sc in each of next 3 sc. Rep from * across; last rep will end with 2 sc. Extend working loop, turn.

Row 4: With A, ch 1, sc in each of first 2 sc, *hdc in each of next 4 (A)  sc, holding ch-7 loops away from you, sc in each of next 3 sc. Rep from * across, last rep will end with 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 5: Sc in each st across. Extend working loop, turn.

Row 6: With B, ch 2, sl st in first sc, ch 3, dc in next sc, *ch 3, sc in ch-7 loop, ch 3, sk 4  sc, dc in each of next 3 sc. Rep from * across, last rep will end with 2 sc. Ch 1 turn.

Row 7: Sc in each of first 2 dc, *ch 7, sc in each of next 3 dc. Rep from * across, last rep will end with 2 sc. Extend working loop, turn.

Row 8: With A, ch 4, sc in each of first 2 sc, * tr in each of next 4 (A) sc, sc in each of next 3 (B) sc. Rep from * across, last rep will end with 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 9 – 14: Rep Rows 5 – 8, then Rows 5 – 6 once more, do not ch-1, turn; end off B.

Row 15: Working in same direction as last row, place A loop on hook, ch 4, sc in each of first 2 dc, *tr in each of next 4 (A) sc, sc in each of next 3 (B) dc. Rep from * across, last rep will end with 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 16: Sc in each st across. End off.

Edging: With A, sc around finished rectangle placing 3 sc in each corner.
 

If you are a visual learner, here's the video for this first section of the messenger bag. Click play to watch Mary Beth walk you through this first part.
 

Multiple of 6

With B ch 24.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 23 sts.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc in each sc across, change to C, ch 1, turn.

Row 4: Sc in first sc, FPtr 3 rows below each of next 3 sc, *sc in each of next 3 sc, FPtr 3 rows below each of next 3 sc.. Rep from * across, sc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 5: Sc in each st across. Change to B, ch 1, turn.

Rows 6 – 7: Rep Rows 2 – 3.

Row 8: Sc in each of first 4 sc, *FPtr 3 rows below each of next 3 sc, sc in each of next 3 sc. Rep from * across, last rep will end with 4 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Row 9: Rep Row 5.

Rows 10 – 18: Rep Rows 2 – 9, then Row 2 once more. End off.

Edging: With B, sc around finished rectangle, placing 3 sc in each corner.
 

Visual learners, here's the video for this second section of the messenger bag. Click play to watch Mary Beth walk you through the bottom left piece.
 

Notes: Do not cut yarn at the end of each color row, float the colors up the side for later use.

Dc counts as 1 dc.

With C, ch 23.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Change to MC, ch 3, turn. 21 dc.

Row 2: Sk 1 dc, 3 dc in next dc, (ch 1, sk 3 dc, 3 dc in next dc) 4 times, sk 1 dc, dc in last dc. Change to B, ch 3, turn.

Row 3: Dc in first dc, (ch 1, sk 3 dc, dc in next ch-1 sp, tr in center dc in shell below ch-1 sp, covering the ch-1, dc in same ch-1 sp) 4 times, ch 1, sk 3 dc, 2 dc in last dc. Change to A, ch 3, turn.

Row 4: Sk 1 dc, (dc in next ch-1 sp, tr in center dc in shell below ch-1 sp, covering the ch-1, dc in same ch-1 sp, ch 1) 4 times, sk 1 dc, dc in last dc. Change to MC, ch 3, turn.

Rows 5 – 9: Rep Rows 3 – 4 twice then Row  3 once more, but keep color progression as MC, B, A, MC, B, A etc. At end of Row 9, change to C.

Row 10: Dc in next dc, dc in center dc in shell below ch-1 sp, (dc in each of next 3 dc, dc in center dc in shell below ch-1 sp) 4 times, dc in each of last 2 dc. 

Edging: With C, sc around finished rectangle, working 3 sc in each corner.
 

Visual learners, here's the video for this third section of the messenger bag. Click play to watch Mary Beth walk you through the bottom right piece.
 

With MC, ch 23.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 3, turn. 21 dc.

Row 2: Dc in each dc across. Change to C, ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc in each of first 2 dc, FPtr in row below next dc, (sc  in each of next 3 dc, FPtr in row below next dc) 4 times, sc in each of last 2 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 4: Dc in each st across. Change to A, ch 1, turn,

Row 5: Sc in each of first 2 dc, FPtr in FPtr, (sc in each of next 3 dc, FPtr in next FPtr) 4 times, sc in each of last 2 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 6: Dc in each st across. Change to C, ch 1, turn.

Rows 7 – 8: Rep Rows 5 – 6. Change to MC, ch 1, turn.

Rows 9 – 10: Rep Rows 5 -6. End off.

Edging: With MC, sc around finished rectangle, working 3 sc in each corner.
 

Visual learners, here's the video for this fourth section of the messenger bag. Click play to watch Mary Beth walk you through the top right piece.
 

This is how the panels should look:

Strap/Gusset:

With MC, ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 10 sc.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Rep Row 2 for pattern until strap measures 80” (or desired length), end off.

In the model shown I did a 20” section in Color A to make the MC yarn last longer but you can make it all solid if you invest in another skein of MC.


Back:

With MC, ch 55.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 3, turn. 54 sc.

Row 2: Dc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 3: Sc in each dc across. Ch 3, turn.

Rep Rows 2 – 3 for pattern until work measures 16” tall, ending with a Row 3. End off.


Front: 

Rep all instructions for Back.


Top Gusset:

With MC, ch 55.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 54 sc.

Row 2: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Rep Row 2 for pattern until work measures 3”. End off.


Finishing:

Flap:

With MC, sc 4 colorwork panels together in order shown in photo, or desired order.

With MC, with RS facing and starting in top right corner, work 1 rnd sc around assembled flap, working 3 sc in each corner.

With MC, work crab st along right side, bottom, and left side of flap. End off.


Bag Assembly:

Sew beginning of strap/gusset  to end of strap/gusset, being careful not to twist it.
Pin Back and Front to each side of Gusset, aligning color change section with bottom of bag if you made a 2-color gusset.

With RSs facing you each time and MC, sc Front and Back to Gusset, working 3 sc in each corner.


Top Gusset:

Pin Top Gusset into place with one long edge along top of Back and one long edge along top of Flap. With RSs facing you each time, and MC, sc Top Gusset into place.

Weave in all ends.

Now that you've crocheted all the pieces, see how this beautiful crochet bag pattern is put together. This assembly video right below will walk you through how it all comes together.
 

For more images, take a look at these right below. How is your bag looking? Let us know in the comments how you liked this bag!