The Design

“Fun, beach-ready bags!”

Originally designed for the 2019 LYS tour as a little hands-free ‘passport pouch’ (perfectly scaled for phone, cash, and lipstick), we found ourselves wanting one in every color. And then some. So we added color-blocking, played with the scale, and morphed it into a flat, foldable clutch. In simple single crochet, it’s the perfect project for quick gifting!

Wool and the Gang’s Ra-Ra Raffia is perfect for the Crocheted Crossbody Bags & Clutch. This biodegradable, vegan yarn is made of 100% long wood fiber—essentially paper. And it’s very crochet-friendly! Lightweight, quick-drying, and with an excellent structure, Ra-Ra Raffia performs perfectly in these beach-ready bags.

The Details

FINISHED SIZE
Small bag: Approx. 7"/17.5cm wide x 8"/20cm tall, after blocking.
Large bag (not shown): Approx. 10"/25.5cm wide x 12"/30.5cm tall, after blocking.
Clutch: Approx. 10"/25.5cm wide x 10"/25.5cm tall, after blocking.

YARN
Details given for small bag; large bag and clutch in parentheses ( ).
Approx. 170 (360, 270) yds/156 (329, 247)m of light worsted-weight plant fiber or equivalent paper tape yarn.
Small bag: Shown in one color in 1 skein Wool and the Gang Ra-Ra Raffia (273 yds/250m each), Color Cinnamon Dust. Shown colorblocked in 2 skeins Wool and the Gang Ra-Ra Raffia (273 yds/250m each); 1 skein each Color A = Tropez Tan and B = Coal Black.
Clutch: Shown in 1 skein Wool and the Gang Ra-Ra Raffia (273 yds/250m each), Color Coal Black.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US G/6 (4mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.
Locking marker.
Blunt darning needle to finish.
Bag only:
1"/25mm button.
Fine darning needle.
Flat leather lace for strap, 5mm width x 2mm thick (optional).
Clutch only:
3 yds/m 10-lb nylon monofilament (optional).

GAUGE
Approx. 16 sc = 4"/10cm in sc, after blocking.