Crochet Japanese Knot Bag: Two Panels, Two Handles, One Knot
The classic wrist bag with one short and one long handle: slip the long handle through the short one and it closes itself. Two flat single crochet panels with handle "ears" — no buttons, no zip.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Easy
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) cotton, about 250 yd
- Hook
- 4.5 mm (7)
- Time
- About 5 hours
- Finished size
- Body about 7½ × 8 in (19 × 20 cm); handle loops about 7 in and 18 in
You'll need
- Worsted (#4) cotton — about 250 yd
- 4.5 mm (7) hook
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
In this post
A Japanese knot bag (azuma bukuro style) has two handles of different lengths. You hold the short handle like a wrist loop and pass the long one through it; the long handle pulls the bag closed and goes over your shoulder or wrist. In crochet it's two flat panels with two "ears" each — a short ear and a long one — seamed at the sides and bottom, with each pair of ears joined over the top.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
Panels (make 2)
- Row 1: Ch 33. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (32)
- Rows 2–36: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (32)
- Short ear: Sc in the first 10 sts only. Ch 1, turn. Work these 10 sts for 16 rows in total. Fasten off. (10)
- Long ear: Skip the middle 12 sts. Join yarn in the next st and sc across the last 10. Work these 10 sts for 40 rows in total. Fasten off. (10)
Make the second panel exactly the same. When the panels are placed together, both short ears will be on the same side.
Assembly
- Place the panels wrong sides together, ears lined up.
- Sc through both layers up one side, across the bottom (3 sc in each corner) and up the other side, stopping at the top of Row 36.
- Join the top edges of the two short ears with sl st — that makes the short handle loop.
- Join the top edges of the two long ears the same way — the long handle.
- Edging: Sc around the whole inner edge (up a short ear, over the handle, down the other short ear, across the opening, up the long ear and back) and around the outer edges of the handles. A sl st round on top keeps the handles from stretching.
How to wear it
Hold the short handle around your wrist. Bring the long handle up and through the short loop, then over your shoulder or wrist too. The bag closes because the long handle pulls the opening together.
Sizes
| Size | Panel chain | Body rows | Short ear rows | Long ear rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 25 | 28 | 14 | 32 |
| Standard | 33 | 36 | 16 | 40 |
| Large | 41 | 44 | 18 | 48 |
For the mini, ears are 8 stitches wide; for the large, 12. Line it with the bag lining method, or carry it alongside the market bag for groceries. Want stronger handles? See the bag strap guide.
Common questions
How does a Japanese knot bag close?
The long handle passes through the short handle. When you lift the bag by the long handle, the short loop pulls the opening shut.
How long should the handles of a knot bag be?
The short loop should fit over your hand (about 7 in around); the long loop about 18 in, so it goes over a shoulder or wraps the wrist twice.
What yarn is best for a crochet knot bag?
Worsted cotton or a cotton-linen blend. They hold shape and the handles don't stretch much.
Wrist or shoulder — how will you wear yours? 🎋
Did you make this?
Tap a star to rate this pattern — it helps other makers find it.
Be the first to rate it!
YarnBloom
Crochet patterns & tutorials
YarnBloom shares cozy, beginner-friendly crochet patterns written in clear US terms, with a stitch count on every round and tips for the tricky bits. Grab your hook — let’s make something lovely.
Leave a comment