Round Spiral Crossbody Crochet Bag Pattern Free: Surface Slip-Stitch Circle Purse

Circular canteen bags bring sculptural charm to any outfit, and working them in continuous back-loop spirals unlocks a built-in decorative track right on the face of your fabric. This free round spiral crossbody crochet bag pattern pairs two sturdy 8-inch circular panels embellished with concentric surface slip-stitch chains, a structured single crochet side gusset, and a double-thick folded tubular strap that won’t stretch out when carrying your phone, wallet, and keys.

Pattern Terminology & Studio Notes: Written using standard US crochet terminology. The Front and Back circles are worked in continuous spiral rounds without joining with a slip stitch at the end of each round. Always move a locking stitch marker up to the first stitch of every new round so you can count your 6-stitch increases accurately.

How Back-Loop Spirals & Surface Slip Stitches Build Structure

Uncorrected crochet circles often flop or stretch into hexagons. This pattern combines three architectural details to create a boutique-quality round purse without needing plastic canvas inserts:

• Back-Loop-Only (scbl) Spiral Track: Working every round into the back loop only leaves a continuous, uninterrupted spiral ridge of unworked front loops winding from the center ring all the way to Round 18.
• Surface Slip-Stitch Reinforcing Ridge: Once each 8-inch circle is finished, you work decorative surface slip stitches around the posts of those exposed front-loop ridges. This not only creates the raised spiral chain motif—it also acts as an internal stabilization rib that prevents the circle from stretching radially.
• Double-Folded Tubular Strap: The 10-stitch wide strap is folded lengthwise and whipstitched into a 5-stitch cushioned tube that distributes weight comfortably across your shoulder.

Materials, Cotton-Blend Yarn Specs & 5-Size Circle Bag Chart

The original sample is crocheted in Bernat Softee Cotton (Category #3 DK / Light weight, 60% cotton / 40% acrylic; 4.2 oz / 120 g, 254 yds / 232 m per ball) in colorway Golden Haze (69012) using a U.S. Size E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook. Working a #3 DK cotton-blend yarn tightly on a 3.5 mm hook produces a dense, canvas-like fabric.

Materials & Tools Checklist

• Yarn: Bernat Softee Cotton (Category #3 DK, 4.2 oz / 120 g; 254 yds / 232 m) in Golden Haze (69012) — 2 balls (approx. 360 yards total).
• Crochet Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain exact gauge.
• Notions: 3 locking stitch markers (1 for tracking spiral rounds, 2 for marking the 28-stitch top bag opening during gusset assembly) and a steel tapestry needle.
• Official Pattern Gauge: 18 single crochet and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) worked densely with the 3.5 mm hook.

US Stitch Abbreviations & Special Stitches

• Approx = Approximately
• Ch = Chain(s)
• Rep = Repeat
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• RS / WS = Right Side / Wrong Side
• Sc = Single crochet
• Scbl (Single Crochet Back Loop) = Insert hook into the back loop only of next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Surface Slip Stitch = Holding working yarn underneath the work (or drawing up a loop around the exposed front-loop post on the Right Side), insert hook from right to left under the unworked front-loop ridge of the next stitch, yarn over, and pull loop through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one smooth motion.

Complete Round-by-Round Bag, Gusset & Strap Instructions

Stage 1: Front & Back Spiral Circles (Make 2 Alike)

Work in continuous rounds without joining. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round.

• Foundation: With U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) hook, chain 2.
• Round 1 (RS): Work 6 sc into the 2nd chain from hook. (6 sc).
• Round 2: Work 2 scbl (2 single crochet in back loop only) in each sc around. (12 scbl).
• Round 3: *Work 1 scbl in next st, then 2 scbl in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 scbl).
• Round 4: *Work 1 scbl in each of next 2 sts, then 2 scbl in next st. Repeat from * around. (24 scbl).
• Round 5: *Work 1 scbl in each of next 3 sts, then 2 scbl in next st. Repeat from * around. (30 scbl).
• Rounds 6–18: Continue increasing by 6 scbl per round in the same manner (adding 1 more single stitch between increases on every round) until you complete Round 18 with *1 scbl in each of next 16 sts, 2 scbl in next st* repeated 6 times around. (108 scbl at the end of Round 18; circle measures 8 inches / 20.5 cm across). Work 1 sl st in next stitch to level the edge and fasten off.

Surface Slip-Stitch Detailing (Work on Both Front & Back Circles): With the Right Side of the circle facing you, join yarn with a sl st around the post of the first stitch of Round 1 at the center of the circle. Working outward in a continuous spiral along the exposed front-loop ridge left by the scbl stitches, work 1 Surface Slip Stitch around the post of each stitch from Round 1 all the way out to the end of Round 18 (maintain relaxed tension so the circle stays completely flat). Fasten off and weave in ends on the Wrong Side.

Stage 2: Side Gusset & Joining the Bag Body

Gusset Strip: Chain 11.
Row 1 (RS): Work 1 sc in the 2nd chain from hook and in each remaining chain across. Turn. (10 sc).
Row 2: Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each sc across. Turn. (10 sc).
Repeat Row 2 until the Gusset strip measures 17 inches (43 cm) long (approx. 80–85 rows), ending on a Wrong Side row. Do not fasten off; turn to begin joining.

Joining Gusset to Back Circle: With the Right Side of both the Gusset and the Back Circle facing out, align the long side edge of the Gusset against the outer edge of the Back Circle. Working through both thicknesses (the row-ends of the Gusset and the stitches of Round 18 on the Back Circle), work 80 single crochet stitches evenly around the perimeter, leaving 28 stitches of the Back Circle unworked at the top for the bag opening. Fasten off.

Joining Gusset to Front Circle: With the Right Side of the Front Circle facing you, join yarn with a sl st at the top right corner of the Gusset (leaving the matching 28 top stitches of the Front Circle unworked). Work 1 sc through both thicknesses around the 80 stitches of the Gusset and Front Circle to the opposite top corner. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Stage 3: Double-Thick Tubular Crossbody Strap

Strap Strip: Chain 11. Work 10 sc across in rows exactly as for the Gusset until the strip measures 43 inches (109 cm) long (or your preferred crossbody length). Fasten off, leaving a long 36-inch tail.

Tubular Fold & Attachment: Fold the 10-stitch Strap in half lengthwise (creating a 5-stitch wide double-thick strap) and whipstitch the long edges together securely. Sew each short end of the finished strap firmly to the top corners of the Side Gusset where the 28-stitch bag opening begins.

Mary’s Studio Tips for a Structured Circle Purse

1. Stagger Your Increases on Even Rounds if You Want a Perfect Circle: On Rounds 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, splitting the first group of single stitches in half before your first increase (for example, on Round 6 working 2 scbl, inc, *4 scbl, inc* 5 times, 2 scbl) prevents the 6 increase points from stacking into hexagonal corners.
2. Use a 4.0 mm Hook Just for the Surface Slip Stitches if You Crochet Tightly: If your surface slip stitches pull the 8-inch circle into a bowl shape, switch up half a hook size (4.0 mm US G/6) solely for the surface slip-stitch spiral so the decorative chain lies flat without drawing in the circumference.
3. Optional Fabric Lining & Zipper: Trace your 8-inch circles onto quilting cotton with a 0.5-inch seam allowance and hand-stitch a simple fabric pouch inside the 28-stitch top opening if you carry loose coins or lip balm.

Washing & Care Instructions

• Spot Clean or Cool Hand Wash: Wash gently in cool water with mild soap. Stuff the wet bag interior with a clean dry hand towel while air-drying flat so the gusset and circular panels dry in crisp 3D alignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use worsted weight #4 100% cotton yarn instead of #3 DK cotton-blend?

Yes! If you substitute Category #4 worsted cotton (like Lily Sugar’n Cream or Bernat Handicrafter Cotton) with a 4.0 mm hook, stop increasing after Round 15 (90 stitches) to achieve the same 8-inch diameter, or work all 18 rounds for a roomy 9.5-inch shoulder bag.

Why is the gusset joined with single crochet on the Right Side?

Joining through both thicknesses on the Right Side creates an intentional, structured piped welting seam around the perimeter of the front and back circles. That raised single-crochet piping acts like the wire rim of a structured leather canteen bag, keeping the circular faces upright.