Crochet Donut Bag: A Round Bag with a Built-In Handle Hole
Two flat circles with a hole cut out near the top, joined around the edge — the hole becomes the handle. A trendy, structured "donut" bag that needs no strap. Worked in tight single crochet; about 4 hours.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton, about 180 yd
- Hook
- 4 mm (G-6)
- Time
- About 4 hours
- Finished size
- About 9 in (23 cm) across
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) cotton — about 180 yd
- 4 mm (G-6) hook
- Stitch marker
- Magnetic snap (optional)
- Tapestry needle
In this post
A crochet donut bag is two flat circles, each with a handle hole near the top, sewn together around the outside edge. You make the hole while crocheting by chaining across a gap and skipping stitches, so there's nothing to cut. The hole edges are joined so the bag is a sealed ring, and it opens along the top edge, just above the handle. It's a firm, sculptural bag about 9 inches across.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Circles (make 2)
Join each round with a sl st so the circle stays round; ch 1 doesn't count.
- Rnds 1–10: 6 sc in a magic ring, then increase 6 per round: inc in each (12); (sc, inc) × 6 (18); (2 sc, inc) × 6 (24) … up to (8 sc, inc) × 6. (60)
- Rnds 11–16: Keep increasing 6 per round, staggering the increases. (96)
- Rnd 17 (handle hole): Sc in the next 36, ch 24, skip 24 sts, sc in the last 36. (72 + ch-24)
- Rnd 18: Sc around, working 1 sc in each ch over the hole, with 1 inc on each side of the gap. (98)
- Rnds 19–20: Keep increasing 6 per round. (110)
The hole sits between Rnds 17 and 18, about ¾ inch in from the edge. It's a slot about 5 inches long that opens into an oval when you grip it.
Assembly
- Hole: Hold the circles together with the holes lined up and sc through both layers all around the handle hole, joining them. This seals the hole so nothing can fall out of it.
- Outer edge: Hold the circles together and mark the 30 stitches above the handle hole — this is the bag's opening.
- Join: Sc through both layers all the way around, except for those 30 stitches. Work 1 sc in each stitch separately across the opening on each circle.
- Finish: 1 round of sl st around the whole edge. Sew a magnetic snap in the opening.
Variations
| Version | Change |
|---|---|
| Mini donut | Stop at Rnd 13 (78 sts), make the hole over 18 sts |
| Two-tone | Change colour every 4 rounds for a target look |
| Firm | Hold two strands together on a 5 mm hook, or cut a plastic canvas circle to slip between the layers |
More statement bags: the seashell bag and the Japanese knot bag. Not sure your circles are flat? The crocheting in the round guide explains staggered increases.
Common questions
How do you make the hole in a crochet donut bag?
On one round, chain over a gap and skip the same number of stitches. On the next round, crochet into those chains. The gap becomes the handle hole.
How do I keep the circles flat?
Add exactly 6 stitches per round and stagger where the increases fall, so the circle doesn't turn into a hexagon. Join each round with a sl st.
Is a donut bag practical?
It holds a phone, keys, a card holder and lip balm. The handle-hole style is carried in the hand or over the wrist.
Which colour donut are you making? 🍩
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