Learning to crochet can be incredibly rewarding, and there’s no better way to solidify your skills than by making something useful! A Crochet Phone Bag is the perfect beginner project. It’s small enough to be manageable, uses only fundamental stitches, and results in a practical, stylish accessory you can use right away.
This detailed, step-by-step tutorial is specifically designed with the absolute beginner in mind. We’ll walk you through each stitch and technique, ensuring you build confidence as you create a functional and charming bag for your mobile phone. Get ready to impress yourself with your new skills!
Why is a Crochet Phone Bag Perfect for Beginners?
- Uses Basic Stitches: Primarily relies on chain (ch) and single crochet (sc), which are among the first stitches you learn.
- Simple Shaping: The bag is essentially a rectangle formed by working in rounds, with a flat base and straight sides – no complex increases or decreases.
- Quick to Finish: It’s a small project, so you’ll see results quickly, keeping motivation high.
- Practical Outcome: You get a usable item at the end, perfect for carrying your phone, keys, or a small wallet.
- Customizable: Once you get the hang of it, you can easily change colors, add a button, or try different simple stitches.
Key Considerations Before You Start:
- Your Phone’s Size: This is the most crucial step! Measure your phone’s:
- Width: From side to side.
- Height: From top to bottom.
- Thickness/Depth: How deep it is.
- You will use these measurements to determine your starting chain length and how many rows to crochet for the height.
- Rule of Thumb: Add about 0.5 to 1 inch (1-2.5 cm) to your phone’s width and height measurements to ensure the bag isn’t too tight and your phone slides in easily.
- Yarn Choice:
- Fiber: For a durable and easy-to-work-with bag, cotton or cotton blends are highly recommended. They hold their shape well and aren’t too stretchy. Acrylic yarn can also work, but choose a non-stretchy variety.
- Weight: Worsted weight (Category 4) is ideal for beginners. It’s easy to handle, and stitches are visible. DK (Light Worsted/Category 3) can also work for a slightly finer bag.
- Color: Choose any color you like! A solid color is easiest for your first project.
- Quantity: You’ll need very little yarn, typically 50-80 yards (a small skein).
- Hook Size:
- Match your hook size to your yarn weight, but consider going down one size from the yarn label’s recommendation. This will create a denser fabric, which is good for a bag as it provides better protection and helps the bag hold its shape.
- For Worsted weight yarn, a G/6 (4.0 mm) or H/8 (5.0 mm) hook is usually a good starting point.
- Tension: Try to keep your stitches consistent throughout the project. If your fabric feels too loose or gappy, try a smaller hook. If it’s too stiff and hard to work, try a larger hook.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: 1 skein (approx. 50-80 yards) of Worsted Weight Cotton or Acrylic yarn in your chosen color.
- Crochet Hook: Size G/6 (4.0 mm) or H/8 (5.0 mm) (choose one based on your yarn and desired fabric density).
- Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Your Mobile Phone: For measuring and checking the fit!
- Optional: A small button (1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter) for the flap closure.
Essential Crochet Abbreviations (Beginner-Friendly):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- ch-sp: chain space
- ***…***: repeat instructions within asterisks
Crochet Phone Bag Tutorial: Step-by-Step for Beginners
This pattern will guide you to create a bag that fits a standard smartphone (approx. 3″ W x 6″ H x 0.3″ D). Remember to adjust your starting chain and round count based on your phone’s dimensions.
Part 1: The Base of the Bag
We start by crocheting a flat rectangle that will form the bottom of your phone bag.
- Starting Chain:
- Chain 15. (This chain determines the length of your bag’s base. To figure out your chain length, place your hook at one end of your phone’s length, and chain until the chain reaches just past the other end of your phone’s length, plus about 2 extra chains for rounding the corners. For example, if your phone is 6 inches long, you might chain 15-20 stitches).
- Count your chains carefully!
- Round 1 (Working Around the Chain):
- Sc in the 2nd ch from your hook.
- Sc in each chain across until you reach the very last chain stitch.
- In that very last chain stitch, work 3 sc stitches (this creates the curve for one end of the base).
- Now, you’ll be working along the opposite side of your starting chain. Sc in each of the stitches along this side, going back towards where you started (you’ll be working into the bottom loops of the chains).
- In the very first chain stitch where you made your first sc, work 2 sc stitches (this creates the curve for the other end of the base).
- Join with a sl st into the top of your very first sc stitch of this round.
- You have now completed an oval shape. Your stitch count will be (2 x your initial chain length minus 1) + 2 extra stitches. For Ch 15, you’ll have (2 x 14) + 2 = 30 sc.
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