🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Accordion Bag Pattern

Accordion Bag Pattern
4.7★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.8K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

✨

Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This Accordion Bag Pattern

This Accordion Bag pattern creates a striped cotton shoulder bag with accordion-style pleats made from joined crocheted bands. It uses foundation cord as the base for each band and simple single crochet rows to build the body. The bands are aligned and crocheted together to form a reversible, textured bag with a sewn seam and straps.

Accordion Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Detailed step-by-step instructions show how to make foundation cords, join bands, and assemble the final bag. Photos and measurements are included to help you align bands and finish seams neatly.

Why You'll Love This Accordion Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple single crochet rows into a stylish, sculptural bag through the clever use of foundation cord and band joining. The stripe sequence and accordion pleats give every piece personality and texture, and I enjoy how customizable the color layout is. Sewing the bands together feels like a satisfying puzzle — you can clearly see the bag take shape. It's a pattern that rewards attention to detail while remaining relaxing to work on.

Accordion Bag Pattern step 1 - construction progress Accordion Bag Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Accordion Bag Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Accordion Bag Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love changing the color order to make unique striped versions; try pastel shades for a soft everyday bag or bright contrasting colors for a statement piece.

You can make the bag larger or smaller simply by increasing or decreasing the foundation cord stitch counts and adjusting band lengths; thicker yarn + larger hook gives a chunkier bag.

I sometimes line the bag with a lightweight fabric and sew a few small interior pockets for keys or cards; lining adds structure and hides seams.

Swap the leather drawstring for a crocheted cord or a fabric tie to match your personal style.

For a crossbody look, make longer straps by repeating the strap foundation or joining two strips together securely.

If you prefer a stiffer bag, use a tighter tension or add a removable interfacing layer inside the lining to keep the pleats crisp.

Try metallic or variegated cotton for a subtle highlight stripe that changes color across the band for visual interest.

I often add small decorative elements like a leather tassel or a button closure to customize the bag’s finishing details.

Change the pleat depth by adjusting the fold steps when joining bands — deeper folds create a more pronounced accordion effect, while shallow folds are subtler.

If you want a reversible look, plan your colors so both sides of the joined bands look intentional and clean; test a small joined sample to preview the result.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not leaving a long enough tail for the foundation cord makes joining and finishing difficult; leave the specified long tail (for example 4m/158inch or 2m/79inch) so you have enough yarn to work and seam. ✗ Skipping stitch markers at the indicated stitch (60th for large bands, 40th for small bands) will make band alignment confusing; place and keep markers to mark the strap/body division for accurate joining. ✗ Crocheting too tightly when making the foundation cord causes a stiff and short band; maintain even, relaxed tension so the foundation cord lies flat and the stitches match the indicated counts. ✗ Failing to align the correct numbered stitch when joining two bands results in an uneven seam; carefully align the 61st or 41st stitch as instructed and check alignment before crocheting bands together. ✗ Not folding and flipping the bands in the sequence shown will prevent the accordion pleats from forming correctly; follow the fold/unfold steps and photo sequence to create the correct pleat shape.

Accordion Bag Pattern

Create a stylish striped Accordion Bag using foundation cord and simple single crochet rows. This pattern guides you through making joined bands, forming the accordion pleats, and finishing a neat strap and drawstring. You will learn foundation cord technique, band joining, and clever folding to shape the bag. Perfect for a handmade everyday bag with a contemporary striped look.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Accordion Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Worsted weight 100% cotton yarn (main and contrast colors for 12 bands)
  • 02
    Large bag: foundation cord length per BAND 01 / BAND 12: 4m / 158 inch and 251 foundation stitches
  • 03
    Bands 02 and 03 (large): foundation cord 2m / 79 inch and 131 foundation stitches
  • 04
    Small bag: foundation cord values: BAND 01 / BAND 12 base 2.4m / 95 inch and 169 foundation stitches
  • 05
    Small bag bands 02/03: foundation cord 1.3m / 51 inch and 89 foundation stitches
  • 06
    Assorted colors for BAND 01 to BAND 12 (use contrasting and main colors as shown for stripes)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.5mm
  • 02
    Yarn needle
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Stitch markers (to mark 60th stitch for large, 40th for small)
  • 05
    90cm / 36 inch leather string (for large bag drawstring)
  • 06
    60cm / 24 inch leather string (for small bag drawstring)
  • 07
    Pins for assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Intro :

Info :

This bag is made by joining 12 pcs of 5 sc row-high bands. Large bag band body indication: leave the markers on the 60th stitch from both end of BAND 01 and BAND 12 (indication of the body part and the strap of the bag).

— Foundation Cord :

Step 1 :

Slip knot. (Leave a tail about 3 times longer of the desired foundation length).

Step 2 :

Tail over hook from front to back. Yarn over (yo).

Step 3 :

Draw through tail loop (lp).

— Part 1 :

BAND 01 - Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 4m/158inch long tail and crochet Foundation cord 251, turn. (251)

Row 1 :

Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord as shown in the picture, turn. (251)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 5 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 6 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, fasten off. (251)

Info :

Leave the markers on the 60th stitch from the both end of BAND 01 and BAND 12. (Indication of the body part and the strap of the bag)

— Part 2 :

BAND 02 - Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 2m/79inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 131, turn. (131)

Row 1 :

Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord as shown in the picture, turn. (131)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 5 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 6 :

Place BAND 01 (foundation row facing up) in front of BAND 02. (Align 61st sc of BAND 01 to first sc of BAND 02, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 60 and follow as below.

Step A :

Draw a long loop of the 60th sc and remove the hook.

Step B :

Unfold the BANDS and bring the loop to the front.

Step C :

Fold the BANDS inside out. (The BANDS are now flipped over.)

Step D :

Sc 11.

Step E :

Draw a long loop of the 11th sc and remove the hook.

Step F :

Unfold the BANDS and bring the loop to the front.

Step G :

Fold the BANDS inside out back to the original.

Step H :

Sc 60, fasten off leaving the tail about 5cm/2.5inch long.

— Part 3 :

BAND 03 - Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 2m/79inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 131, turn. (131)

Row 1 :

Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the back loop of the foundation cord, turn. (131)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 5 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (131)

Row 6 :

Place BAND 02 (foundation row facing up) in front of BAND 03. Sc in each sc of these two bands together and fasten off.

Infos :

You can repeat BAND 02 for even numbered BANDs, and repeat BAND 03 for odd numbered BANDs.

— Part 4 :

How it looks :

Outside and inside photos show the joined edge when BAND 01 & BAND 02 are joined.

— Part 5 :

BAND 12 - Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 4m/158inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 251, turn. (251)

Row 1 :

Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (251)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 5 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (251)

Row 6 :

Sc 60, place BAND 11 in front of BAND 12 (Align first sc of BAND 11 to 61st sc of BAND 12, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 60, fold inside out sc 11, fold back to the original and sc 60, fasten off.

Row 7 :

(Work through the top row of the BAND 12.) Skip the first 60 sc (bag strap), sc 131 across (bag body) and fasten off leaving the tail 80cm/32inch long.

— Part 6 :

Seaming BAND 01 :

Use the same color yarn of BAND 01. (80cm/32inch long) Fold the bag in half (inside facing out), and seam the edge of the body part of the bag.

Seaming BAND 12 :

Use the long tail that was left at the end. Seam the edge of the body part of the bag. Weave in all the ends, shape the bag folding as shown in the picture.

Strap (2) :

Place the strap ends overlapping 20 sc long, seam both side of the edge. Put the drawstring into the bag as shown in the picture, tie up and finish.

— Part 7 (Small Size) :

BAND 01 - Small Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 2.4m/95inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 169, turn. (169) Leave the markers on the 40th stitch from the end on both sides.

Row 1 :

Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (169)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Row 5 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, fasten off. (169)

BAND 02 - Small Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 1.3m/51inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 89, turn. (89)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (89)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (89)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (89)

Row 5 :

Place BAND 01 (foundation row facing up) in front of BAND 02. (Align 41st sc of BAND 01 to the first sc of BAND 02, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 40, fold inside out sc 9 and fold back to the original sc 40, fasten off. (89)

BAND 03 - Small :

BASE ROW: Leave a 1.3m/51inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 89, turn. (89) ROW 2~4: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (89) ROW 5: Place BAND 02 in front of the BAND 03, sc these two BANDs together, fasten off. (89)

Band 04 ~ Band 11 :

You can repeat BAND 02 for even numbered BANDs, and repeat BAND 03 for odd numbered BANDs.

BAND 12 - Small Base Row :

BASE ROW: Leave a 2.4m/95inch long tail and crochet foundation cord 169, turn. (169) Leave the markers on the 40th stitch from the end on both sides.

Row 1 :

Ch 1, Sc from the second ch from hook and work through the foundation cord, turn. (169)

Row 2 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Row 3 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Row 4 :

Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn. (169)

Row 5 :

Sc 40, place BAND 11 in front of BAND 12. (Align first sc of BAND 11 to the 41st sc of BAND 12, and crochet 2 BANDs together.) Sc 40, fold inside out sc 9, fold back to the original and sc 40, fasten off.

Row 6 :

(Work through the top row of BAND 12.) Skip the first 40 sc (bag strap), sc 89 across (bag body) and fasten off leaving a 60cm/24inch long tail.

Assemble :

You can follow the Large bag pattern to seam the body edge of the bag. Place the strap ends overlapping 15 sc long (small) or 20 sc long (large), seam both side of the edge. Put the drawstring into the bag, tie up and finish.

Assembly Instructions

  • Fold the bag in half (inside facing out) and seam the body edge using the same color yarn as BAND 01; use an 80cm/32inch tail for the large bag seam and sew securely.
  • Use the long tail left at the end of BAND 12 to seam the opposite edge of the body part of the bag; weave in all ends and shape the bag by folding the pleats as shown in the photos.
  • Place the strap ends overlapping 20 sc (large) or 15 sc (small) and seam both sides of the overlap to secure the strap; finish edges neatly and hide ends inside.
  • Insert the leather drawstring into the top channel of the bag as shown in the pictures, tie the ends to finish and provide closure for the bag opening.

Important Notes

  • 💡Place stitch markers at the 60th stitch (large) or 40th stitch (small) to mark the strap/body boundary for accurate joining and alignment.
  • 💡Keep consistent tension when making foundation cord and throughout rows to ensure bands align and pleats fold evenly.
  • 💡When joining bands align the specified stitch numbers (for example align 61st to 1st or 41st to 1st) before crocheting two bands together to avoid misalignment.
  • 💡Fold and flip the bands in the sequence shown in the photo steps to create the accordion pleats before final seaming.

This Accordion Bag pattern lets you make a stylish striped cotton bag with satisfying pleated detail and neat band joins. Whether you follow the color sequence exactly or choose your own palette, the finished bag has a modern, wearable look. Make it large or small, add a leather drawstring, and enjoy a handmade piece that you can carry with pride. 🧶✨👜

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The large finished bag has bands built from foundation cord 251 and a strap of 60 stitches (approx 38cm/15in strap length); the small version uses foundation counts of 169 and a 40-stitch strap. Final dimensions vary with yarn tension and color choices.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but changing yarn weight will affect final size and pleat appearance; use an appropriate hook for your chosen yarn and make a gauge test band to adjust foundation cord lengths as needed.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate due to the foundation cord technique and band joining steps, so basic knowledge of single crochet and foundation cord is recommended for best results.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete the bag in about 5-7 hours depending on experience and whether you make the large or small version.

How do I join two bands correctly?

Align the specified stitch numbers (for example align the 61st stitch of BAND 01 to the first stitch of BAND 02 for the large size), draw long loops and follow the fold/unfold sequence shown in the photos before crocheting the two bands together.