How to Crochet a Granny Fat Bottom Bag

Granny Fat Bottom Bag – A couple years ago I came across a Fat Bottom Bag at ‘A Creative Being’ website. Sadly, that site is not available any longer. I’ve made a few fat bottom bags since then and I love making them.

Last year I posted two articles about crocheting fat bottom bags (you can see the articles here). I received an email from a woman who wanted a more detailed pattern so I created the following. The first post is basically how to crochet the large granny square which is the body of the bag. The next post will cover how to finish the sides, top and lining of the bag.

This retro Granny Fat Bottom Bag is a crocheted large granny square with bamboo handles. My bags were made with many yarns from my stash, but I think the next fat bottom bag will be crocheted in one color with maybe a line or two of a contrasting color.

Beginners and advanced crocheters will enjoy making and using this handbag. The Granny Fat Bottom Bag would make a lovely handbag or project bag for yourself or a gift.

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Granny Fat Bottom Bag

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Materials

• Various colors and lengths of cotton yarn (totally approximately 350 yards)
• G/4mm hook
• Piece of fabric for bag lining that measures ½” wider on all sides of finished granny square
• Embellishments like ribbons, lace, buttons, beads to add to the front of the bag 
• D shaped bamboo handles (2)
• Tapestry needle
• Needle and thread   (optional)

Any type of yarn or weight can be used for this bag. The size and dimensions will change with the yarn and/or hook size. This bag is good for using up small amounts of yarn.

Size:   When finished the bag will be approximately 20” wide and 12” high (not including handles)

Gauge:  Gauge is not important for this bag

Abbreviations:  (US terms)

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

dc – double crochet

hdc – half double crochet

sl st – slip stitch

** – repeat stitches between *  *

Notes:  

1. Read all the directions before starting this pattern.
2. The pattern is for an 18” square, but you can add or decrease the number of rounds to your desired size.
3. The granny square can be crocheted with multiple colors or a solid color yarn.
4. Click here for a tutorial on the classic granny square.
5. Pictures from several fat bottom bags are included in this pattern for illustration purposes.
6. Many granny squares have 2 chains between clusters. This pattern uses only 1 chain.

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Basic Granny Square

Chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to the first chain to form a ring

Round 1:  ch 1, work 3 dc into center of ring, *ch 1, work 3 dc into ring*, repeat  * * two more times, ch 1. Join with a sl st to top of first dc.   (4 clusters of 3 dc) 

Round 2:    Sl st to corner ch-1 space, ch 1, 3 dc into same corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in same space, ch 1,  *3 dc, ch 1, 3dc in next corner space, ch 1*  Repeat *  * in next two corners. Join with a sl st to top of dc.  Fasten off if changing colors.

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Round 3:  If changing colors, attach next color to any corner space or with same color slip stitch to corner space. ch 1, * 3 dc in same corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in same space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, *  Repeat * *  3 times. Join with sl st to dc.  Fasten off  if changing color.

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Round 4:  If changing colors, attach next color to any corner space or with same color slip stitch to corner space. Ch 1, 3 dc into same corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in same space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch 1, 3 dc in next space, ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) into next corner space, ch 1, 3 dc in next chain space, ch1,*  Repeat * * 2 times. Join with sl st to dc.    Fasten off if changing colors

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Round 5 – :  Continue adding rows and colors until you have an 18” square (approximately 18 rounds)

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If you would like more information on the granny square, click here.

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UPDATE: Part 2 can be found here.

Happy Crocheting!