Part handbag, part stitch sampler, the Diamond Handbag is a beautiful project that blends texture, creativity and style into one eye-catching tote. Featuring intricate diamond motifs and separately crocheted panels, this bag offers the perfect opportunity to explore new techniques in a way that feels both fun and relaxing. The softly draped front corner creates a unique pointed detail that’s ideal for embellishing with tassels and a statement button, giving the finished bag a charming boho-inspired flair. Functional, fashionable and satisfying to stitch, the Diamond Handbag is sure to become a favorite handmade accessory.

Time: 2 week

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 12.75” wide x 15” tall x 2” deep (not including handle)

Gauge: 10 sts and 4 rows = 2” [5 cm] in dc st before blocking

Materials

Yarn: Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday DK (100% acrylic; 273 yards [250 meters]/3.5 ounces [100 grams]): #1107-73 Turquoise (3 balls)

Hook: US size G/6 4.0 mm, US size I/9 5.5 mm

Notions: Removable stitch markers, yarn needle, tapestry needle, one 1.75” button, six 8 mm beads

Abbreviations

Pop-RS – popcorn stitch – worked when on right side
Pop-WS – popcorn stitch – worked when on wrong side
Th-sc – thermal stitch single crochet
Th-sl st – thermal slip stitch

Special Stitches

Popcorn Right Side Rows (pop-rs): 4 double crochet in indicated stitch, drop loop from hook, insert hook from front to back in 1^st double crochet of group, pull dropped loop through stitch.

Popcorn Wrong Side Rows (pop-ws): 4 double crochet in indicated stitch, drop loop from hook, insert hook from back to front in 1^st double crochet of group, pull dropped loop through stitch.

Thermal Stitch Single Crochet (th-sc): insert hook in back loop of previous row and in front (unused) loop of 2 rows below, yarn over, draw through stitches, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook.

Thermal Slip Stitch (th-sl st): insert hook in back loop of previous row and in front (unused) loops of 2 rows below, yarn over, draw through stitches and loop on hook.

Pattern Notes

Bag is crocheted in 3 panels each worked flat in rows. Top right corner of front panel will not be joined so that corner can fold to the front and adorned with tassels and large button.

Chain 1 at beginning of row does not count as a stitch.

Chain 3 at beginning of row counts as a stitch.

When working the thermal stitch, it is sometimes easier to turn and hold the panel vertically so that it’s easier to see the unused loop of the previous row.

The first and last couple of stitches of the thermal stitch can be tricky to find. I recommend using a stitch marker on the front loop of the first and last couple of stitches of your current row so that when you turn your work, you can see the loops you will need to pick up.

Pattern

Diamond Panel

With smaller hook, ch 100.
Row 1: Dc in 2^nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (99 dc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1 (see Pattern Notes), dc in each of 1^st 2 sts, *ch 3, sk 3 sts, (pop-rs (see Special Stitches) in next st, ch 1, sk next st) 4 times, pop-rs in next st, ch 3, sk 3 sts, dc in next st, rep from * across to last st, dc in last st, turn. (30 pop-rs, 24 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 9 dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 2 sts, dc in ch-3 sp, *ch 3, (pop-ws [see Special Stitches] ch 1) in each of next 4 ch-1 sps, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc**, dc in next ch-3 sp, rep from * across to last st ending at **, dc in last dc, turn. (24 pop-ws, 18 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 21 dc)

Row 4: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 3 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, (pop-rs, ch 1) in each of next 2 ch-1 sps, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 dc, rep from * across, turn. (18 pop-rs, 12 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 33 dc)

Row 5: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 4 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp**, dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * across to last 4 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 4 sts, turn. (12 pop-ws, 6 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 45 dc)

Row 6: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 5 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp** dc in each of next 7 sts, rep from * across to last 5 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 5 sts, turn. (6 pop-rs, 12 ch-3 sps, 66 dc)

Row 7: Ch 1, dc in 1^st st, (pop-ws in next st, ch 1, skip next st) twice, pop-ws in next st, *ch 3, sk next ch-3 sp, dc in next st, ch 3, sk ch-3 sp**, (pop-ws in next st, ch 1, skip next st) 4 times, pop-ws in next st, rep from * across to last 6 sts ending at **, (pop-ws in next st, ch 1, sk next st) twice, pop-ws in next st, dc in last st, turn. (31 pop-ws, 24 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 8 dc)

Row 8: Ch 1, dc in 1^st st, ch 1, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3**, (pop-rs, ch 1) in each of next 3 ch-1 sps, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last 3 pop sts ending at **, (pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) 2 times, dc in last st, turn. (24 pop-rs, 19 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 20 dc)

Row 9: Ch 1, dc in 1^st st, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3**, (pop-ws, ch 1) in each of next 2 ch-1 sps, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last 2 pop-rs and dc ending at **, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, ch-1, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, dc in last st, turn. (19 pop-ws, 12 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 32 dc)

Row 10: Ch 1, dc in 1^st st, ch 1, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, ch 1**, pop-rs in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last pop-ws and dc ending at **, dc in last st, turn. (12 pop-rs, 7 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 44 dc)

Row 11: Ch 1, dc in 1^st st, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, pop-ws in next ch-1 sp, rep from * across to last st, dc in last st, turn. (7 pop-ws, 12 ch-3 sps, 56 dc)

Row 12: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 2 sts, *ch 3, sk ch-3 sp, (pop-rs in next st, ch 1, sk next st) 4 times, pop-rs in next st, ch 3, sk ch-3 sp, dc in next st, rep from * across to last st, dc in last st, turn. (30 pop-rs, 24 ch-1 sps, 12 ch-3 sps, 9 dc)

Rows 13-16: Rep rows 3-6.

Row 17: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 6 sts, *ch 3, sk ch-3 sp, dc on pop-ws, ch 3, sk ch-3 sp**, dc in each of next 9 sts, rep from * across to last 6 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 6 sts, turn. (63 dc, 12 ch-3 sps)

Row 18: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 5 sts, sk next dc, *ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next st, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3**, sk next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, sk next st, rep from * across to last 6 sts ending at **, sk next st, dc in each of last 5 sts, turn.

Row 19: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 4 sts, sk next st, *ch 3, dc in ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp**, sk next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, sk next st, rep from * across to last 5 sts ending at **, ch 3, sk next st, dc in each of last 4 sts, turn.

Row 20: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 3 sts, sk next st, *ch 3, dc in ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 5 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next st**, dc in each of next 3 sts, sk next st, rep from * across to last 3 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 3 sts, turn.

Row 21: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 2 sts, *ch 3, sk next st, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next st, dc in next st**, rep from * across to last st ending at **, dc in last st, turn.

Row 22: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 2 sts, *ch 3, sk ch-3 sp**, dc in each of next 9 sts, ch 3, sk ch-3 sp, dc in next st, rep from * across to last st ending at **, dc in last st, turn.

Row 23: Ch 1, dc in each 1^st 2 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, sk next st, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next st, rep from * across to last st, dc in last st, turn.

Row 24: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 3 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, sk next st, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * across, turn.

Row 25: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 4 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 3, sk next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, sk next st, ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp**, dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * across to last 4 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 4 sts, turn.

Row 26: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 5 sts, *dc in next ch-3 sp**, ch 3, sk next st, dc in next st, sk next st, ch 3, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch-3 sp**, rep from * across to last 5 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 5 sts, turn.

Row 27: Ch 1, dc in each of 1^st 6 sts, *ch 3, sk ch-3 sp, dc in next st, ch 3, sk ch-3 sp**, dc in each of next 9 sts, rep from * across to last 6 sts ending at **, dc in each of last 6 sts, turn.

Rows 28-31: Rep rows 18-21

Base Panel

With larger hook, ch 53.
Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (52 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, Th-sc (see Special Stitches) in each st across, turn. (52 th-sc)

Next Rows: Repeat row 2 until base measures 2”

Last Row: Ch 1, Th-sl st (see Special Stitches) in each st across. (52 th-sl st)

Side Panel

With smaller hook, ch 29.
Row 1: Dc in 2^nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (28 dc)

Row 2: Ch 3 (see Pattern Notes), 2 dc in 1^st st, sk 2 sts, *sc in next st, ch 3, sk 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, rep from * 3 times, sc in last st. (15 dc, 4 ch-3, 5 sc)

Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in 1^st st, *sc on 3^rd dc, ch 3, 3 dc on 3^rd ch of ch-3 (ch just before sc), rep from * 3 times, sc on last dc, turn.

Rows 4-42: Rep row 3.

Row 43: Ch 2, sc in 3^rd dc, *ch 3, 3 dc in last ch of ch-3 (just before sc), sc in 3^rd dc, rep from * 2 times, leave rem sts unworked, turn. (9 dc, 4 sc, 3 ch-3, 1 ch-2)

Row 44: Ch 2, *sc on 3^rd dc, ch 3, 3 dc in 3^rd ch of ch-3 (just before sc), rep from * 1 time, sc on 3^rd dc, leave rem sts unworked, turn. (1 ch-2, 3 sc, 2 ch-3, 3 dc)

Row 45: Ch 2, *sc on 3^rd dc, ch 3, 3 dc in 3^rd ch of ch-3 (just before sc), sc in 3^rd dc, ch 3, sk ch-3, sc in next st, leave rem sts unworked, turn. (1 ch-2, 2 ch-3, 2 sc, 3 dc)

Rows 46-93: Ch 1, sc in 1^st st, ch 3, 3 dc in 3^rd ch of ch-3 (just before sc), sc in 3^rd dc, ch 3, sk ch-3, dc in next st. (2 sc, 2 ch-3, 4 dc)

Rnd 94: Ch 1, turn to sides of rows, work 2 dc on end of each row down to section that tapers, work 8 sc evenly across tapered section, work 3 sc on the end of each row to base of panel, ch 1 at corner, sc on each foundation ch across, ch 1 at corner, rep as for other side, ch 1, turn to top of handle, work 9 sc across, do not join.

Rnd 95: Sc in each st around working (sc, ch 1, sc) in each corner ch-1 sp.

Finishing

Begin by pinning all pieces together with stitch markers before joining. Pin at corners and approximately every 10 stitches.

Mid-point of both Diamond Panel and Side Panel will be attached to middle of opposite ends of Base Panel, then wrap around to join each other on front and back of bag.

1. Place a stitch marker at the center of each of the 2” sides of Base Panel
2. Place stitch marker in the center stitch of row 1 of Side Panel. Pin Side Panel to Base Panel at stitch markers. Use additional stitch markers to hold row 1 to Bag Base wrapping around the corners of Base Panel.
3. Place stitch marker in center stitch of row 1 of Diamond Panel. Pin Diamond Panel to Base Panel at opposite end of Base Panel at stitch markers. Use additional stitch markers to hold Diamond Panel row 1 to Bag Base wrapping around the corners. Diamond Panel and Side Panel should meet on front and back of bag as pictured.
   1. Depending on your Base Panel depth, the Base Panel may have a few less stitches than the side panels. If it’s just a few stitches, double up joins near corners.
   2. If the side panels are a lot wider or shorter than the base, adjust the rows in the Base Panel. Remove the Thermal slip stitch row and add or remove Thermal stitch rows. Then work the Thermal slip stitch row.
4. Use stitch markers to hold Diamond Panel to Side Panel together. Use a stitch marker every 10 stitches or so.
5. Choose which side of bag will be the front. Remove stitch markers on Diamond Panel so that top 15 stitches are not pinned to the Side Panel. Let that Diamond Panel fold forward so corner of Diamond Panel aligns with a solitary double crochet about 10 rows down the diamond motif. Hold in place with stitch maker.
6. Beginning at that same corner of Diamond Panel, count back 27 stitches. This is where the front fold over should start. Mark it with a stitch marker.
7. Place stitch marker in the middle stitch of the last row of the Diamond Panel. Place a stitch marker in the middle stitch of the last row of the Side Panel which will act as bag handle. Pin these 2 panels together at the stitch markers. Use additional stitch markers to secure handle to side of bag.
8. Join all panels together with whip stitch through inside stitches.
9. Secure front flap in place at point and again where fold starts.
10. Attach a bead at top and bottom where Side Panel and Diamond Panel meet (both on the front and back of bag).
11. Make 2 tassels.
    1. Cut 32 strands of yarn to 12” length (tassel strands).
    2. Cut 1 strand of yarn to 10” length (tie strand).
    3. Cut 1 strand of yarn to 16” length (wrap strand).
    4. Place wrap strand on table. Place tassel strands perpendicular on top at center of tie strand.
    5. Tie knot with tie strand securing all tassel strands together. Bring ends of tassel strands together to form 64 strands. Bring tails of tie strand together opposite.
    6. Wrap the wrap strand 4 times around the tassel strands about 1” away from the tie strand. Tie a knot. Work ends through center of tassel.
    7. Trim tassel to 5” length.
    8. If button allows, use tie strands to secure button to front of bag. Otherwise, secure tassels to bag, then button.
    9. Secure beads to front of tassels at tie strands.