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Introduction
Have you ever seen a Bento bag? If you haven’t, it’s just a long rectangle that you fold and seam into a bag. Pretty neat, huh? This is the same basic look but now you can get it without the seaming!
Inspiration
The inspiration for this bag came from a few specific photos I came across while browsing Pinterest one night. I was just scrolling and clicking and scrolling and clicking and… You feel me, right? 😉 I was also working on my Fall Market Makes for Crocheters roundup post at the time. This bag just flowed off of my hook that night. Love when that happens!
About The Yarn
I used double strands of Lily Sugar N’ Cream cotton yarn for my bags but there are endless yarn possibilities for this one. The XL red one one I made is actually WATG’s Cotton XL (#5) which I couldn’t find a link to anywhere. There aren’t a ton of them, but there are some bulky weight cotton yarns out there if you don’t particularly enjoy using double strands of yarn.
Pro Tip: Typically double strands of a worsted weight yarn are equivalent to a single strand of bulky weight yarn.
Some other yarns I would recommend are:
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (doubled)
Peaches & Creme (doubled)
I Love This Cotton! (doubled)
Red Heart Super Saver (doubled)
Premier Home Cotton (doubled)
Usage
I love how versatile this bag is. It can’t be used for smaller items for obvious reasons but it would look amazing with a fabric lining, too. I love using mine for produce, books at the library, beach trips, and more. Written in 4 sizes, you’ll find tons of uses for yours also!
Techniques Used
This bag is intended to be super beginner-friendly. It does use treble crochets (see stitch index for explanation) but there’s only one of those per round so don’t let that put you off! Other than that the entire bag is made using chains and single crochets. I’ve included lots of photos here and a video tutorial will be coming soon as well if you’re more of a visual learner.
-This is the Large size with 14 skeins of yarn in it-
Skill Level
Beginner
Gauge
Not only is gauge not important for this project but there really is no good way to swatch for this pattern as it’s comprised entirely of mesh. See the approximate finished measurements of each size below.
Finished Measurements
Finished measurements are approximate as there is so much stretch every way with this bag. I’ve given the measurements for each size laid flat, before any stretching with usage and from the base of the bag to the top of the handle.
S: 12” (30cm) wide x 12” (30cm) tall
M: 17″ (43cm) wide x 18″ (46cm) tall
L: 20″ (51cm) wide x 22″ (56cm) tall
XL: 22″ (56cm) wide x 26″ (66cm) tall
Materials
Approximately 90, 210, 360, 425 g/175, 225, 275, 350 yards (total) of worsted weight yarn doubled or single-stranded bulky weight yarn (see above for information about the yarn I used and some yarn recommendations and substitutions.)
US Size J/10/6mm crochet hook (I use these!)
2 Stitch markers (I use these!)
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends (I use these!)
Scissors (These Fiskars are my fav!)
Notes
-Keep a tight tension throughout the pattern.
-PM at the end of each round. It’s very easy to pass it up and keeping working without joining.
-Pattern is written in the smallest size with the larger sizes in parentheses. Example: S (M, L, XL)
-* * indicates a repeat
-(xx) at the end of a row/round indicates how many total stitches for that row/round
Stitch Index
R-row/round
ch-chain
ch-sp-chain space
st(s)-stitch(es)
sk-skip
PM-place marker
sc-single crochet
tr-treble crochet (yo 2x, insert hook and pull up a loop, *yo, pull through 2 loops* 3 times
Pattern
Foundation: ch 39 (51, 59, 75)
R1 sc in the 7th ch from your hook, *ch 5, sk 3, sc in the next ch* repeat from * to * to the 1st ch made, **ch 6, sc in the same st** repeat from ** to ** 2 times, repeat from * to * across the other side of your ch ending at the ch with your 1st sc in it, ch 6, sc in the same st, ch 3, tr in the same st, do not turn (22, 28, 32, 40 ch-sp)
R2 *ch 5, sc in the next ch-sp* to the last ch-sp before your marker, ch 3, tr into the top of the joining tr from the previous round (22, 28, 32, 40 ch-sp)
R3-10(13, 14, 18) repeat R2
R11(14, 15, 19)A *ch 5, sc in the next ch-sp* repeat from * to * 10(13, 15, 19) times, ch 3, tr in the next ch-sp, leave remaining sts unworked, TURN YOUR WORK, you will now work in rows instead of rounds (11, 14, 16, 20 ch-sp)
Note: PM at the beginning and end of each row here and throughout
R12(15, 16, 20) *ch 5, sc in the next ch-sp* repeat from * to * until 1 ch-sp remains, ch 3, tr in the next ch-sp, turn (10, 13, 15, 19 ch-sp)
Repeat R12(15, 16, 20) until 2 ch-sp remain
Final row (all sizes) ch 3, tr in the next ch-sp (1 ch-sp), break yarn leaving an 8″ tail for finishing
With the non seam (the ‘seam’ is where the joins at the end of each round are) side facing, attach a new strand of yarn into the base of the last tr made on R11(14, 15, 19)
R11(14, 15, 19)B *ch 5, sc in the next ch-sp* repeat from * to * 10(13, 15, 19) times, ch 3, tr into the top of the joining tr of the previous round
Repeat R12(15, 16, 20) to end
Using the long tails, figure 8 the tail around and through the last ch-sp of both ends to secure and making a knot after weaving your tail a bit.
Weave in your ends and that’s it!
I really hope you enjoyed this bento inspired bag! I particularly love how fast and easy this one is. I’ll be adding this one to my market lineup this year for sure! If you’ve ever (or may ever!) participated in craft fairs or markets check out my 30+ Free, Quick, And Easy Fall Market Makes For Crocheters roundup post. It’s packed with tons of information and awesome makes!
