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Corfu Bag Pattern

Corfu Bag Pattern
4.9★ Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
2.3K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journey—perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

🏡

Cozy Accent

A warm touch for your space that transforms ordinary corners into inviting nooks filled with handmade charm.

About This Corfu Bag Pattern

This pattern creates a textured, bucket-style crochet bag with embossed motifs and fish detail inspired by the island of Corfu. It combines front-post and back-post stitches with colour changes to highlight the raised elements. The pattern includes charts, video links, and step-by-step photos for tricky techniques.

Corfu Bag Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The bag is worked from the bottom up with an option for an oblong base and a reinforced upper edge for structure. Spiral cord handles and optional lining instructions are included.

Why You'll Love This Corfu Bag Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms simple double crochet stitches into a sculpted, embossed surface that feels luxurious to make. I enjoy the challenge of working with two colours to bring the leaf and fish motifs to life. The combination of charts, written rounds and videos makes it so satisfying when everything lines up. I also love how sturdy the finished bag feels after adding the buckram backing and spiral cord handles.

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

Switch Things Up

I love how this pattern is perfect for customization: you can change the two colours to create a high contrast look or a soft tonal finish depending on your style.

Try switching to a cotton-blend DK in a bright palette for a summery market bag, or choose muted neutrals for a sophisticated everyday tote.

Want a smaller or larger bag? Adjust hook size and yarn weight — bulky yarn with a larger hook will make a chunkier bag, while fingering weight will produce a delicate mini version.

I often experiment with adding a leather base or a fabric panel inside the bottom for extra durability — it's an easy way to customize the structure.

Change the handle style: use longer spiral cords for shoulder straps, or make short fixed handles for a handheld bag; you could also attach D-rings and removable straps.

Try varying the embossed motif: use the chart as a base and substitute your own leaf or geometric motif to personalize the bag's surface.

Add pockets or a zip closure to the lining for more functionality — I like to add a small zip pocket for keys or phone.

Mix and match yarn textures: pairing a matte cotton with a slightly shiny mercerized cotton creates subtle contrast and highlights the embossed stitches.

For gifts, embroider initials or small motifs with contrasting yarn on the background panels before adding the upper backing to make the project truly personal.

I also recommend experimenting with different interfacing widths for the upper edge backing to control how stiff or soft the rim feels; small changes make a big difference in the finished bag.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not placing stitch markers at increases can cause miscounted rounds; place a marker at the start of each round to track increases precisely. ✗ Switching colours incorrectly can leave loose loops or gaps; finish the last yarn over with the next colour and pull the new colour through to secure the stitch. ✗ Skipping the buckram for the upper edge backing causes a floppy rim; add interfacing and hand-stitch it in place to maintain structure. ✗ Not marking the B3i starting stitch on Rnd 26 will make the embossed elements misaligned; follow the marking instructions exactly and place the pm in the 1st F of Rnd 26.

Corfu Bag Pattern

Make a stylish Corfu Bag with raised embossed motifs and clean finishing touches. This pattern guides you through a structured bag made in two colours with embossed front-post stitches, spiral cord handles and reinforced upper edge backing. You will enjoy detailed charts, photo tutorials and video links to help you master the textured design.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Corfu Bag Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    DK weight mercerized cotton (approx. 120-130 m / 131-142 yards per 50 g)
  • 02
    Yarn1 (background) - Silver Blue: 4 skeins / 170g / 465yds
  • 03
    Yarn2 (embossed elements) - Moon Rock: 7 skeins / 305g / 834yds

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook: 2.75mm
  • 02
    Tapestry needle
  • 03
    Hand-sewing needle
  • 04
    Sewing thread matching the background color
  • 05
    Stitch markers
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Interfacing for upper edge: piece of buckram or other stiff interfacing approx. 7cm x 80cm / 2 3/4" x 31 1/2"
  • 08
    Optional: fabric for lining approx. 40cm x 80cm / 15 3/4" x 31 1/2"
  • 09
    Optional: drawstring for lining cord approx. 50cm / 19 3/4"

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Bag bottom :

Inc Rnd 1 :

with Yarn2 ch4, ss in 1st ch, ch2 (counts as dc), 8dc (make them as short as possible) in ch4-ring, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2. (9dc)

Inc Rnd 2 :

ch2 (doesn't count as st throughout bag bottom), F2i (in beg ch-2 from pr), 8 F2i, sk ch-2 (throughout bag bottom), ss (in 1st F throughout bottom). (18F)

Inc Rnd 3 :

ch2, F2i (in 1st F from pr (ignore ch-2) throughout bottom), F, [F2i, F]x8, ss. (27sts)

Inc Rnd 4 :

ch2, [2F, F2i]x9, ss. (36sts)

Inc Rnd 5 :

ch2, [F2i, 3F]x9, ss. (45sts)

Inc Rnd 6 :

ch2, 2F, [F2i, 4F]x8, F2i, 2F, ss. (54 sts)

Inc Rnd 7 :

ch2, 4F, [F2i, 5F]x8, F2i, F, ss. (63sts)

Inc Rnd 8 :

ch2, [6F, F2i]x9, ss. (72sts)

Inc Rnd 9 :

ch2, [F2i, 7F]x9, ss. (81sts)

Inc Rnd 10 :

ch2, 2F, [F2i, 8F]x8, F2i, 6F, ss. (90sts)

Inc Rnd 11 :

ch2, 4F, [F2i, 14F]x5, F2i, 10F, ss. (96sts)

Inc Rnd 12 :

ch2, 6F, [F2i, 15F]x5, F2i, 9F, ss. (102sts)

Inc Rnd 13 :

ch2, 8F, [F2i, 16F]x5, F2i, 8F, ss. (108sts)

Inc Rnd 14 :

ch2, 10F, [F2i, 17F]x5, F2i, 7F, ss. (114sts)

Inc Rnd 15 :

ch2, 12F, [F2i, 18F]x5, F2i, 6F, ss. (120sts)

Inc Rnd 16 :

ch2, 14F, [F2i, 19F]x5, F2i, 5F, ss. (126sts)

Inc Rnd 17 :

ch2, 16F, [F2i, 20F]x5, F2i, 4F, ss. (132sts)

Inc Rnd 18 :

ch2, 18F, [F2i, 21F]x5, F2i, 3F, ss. (138sts)

Inc Rnd 19 :

ch2, 20F, [F2i, 22F]x5, F2i, 2F, ss. (144sts)

Inc Rnd 20 :

ch2, 22F, [F2i, 23F]x5, F2i, F, ss. (150sts)

Inc Rnd 21 :

ch2, [24F, F2i]x6, ss. (156sts)

Inc Rnd 22 :

ch2, [F2i, 38F]x4, ss. (160sts)

Inc Rnd 23 :

ch2, 2F, [F2i, 39F]x3, F2i, 37F, ss. (164sts)

Inc Rnd 24 :

ch2, 4F, [F2i, 40F]x3, F2i, 36F, ss. (168sts)

Inc Rnd 25 :

ch2, 6F, [F2i, 41F]x3, F2i, 35F, ss. (172sts)

Inc Rnd 26 :

ch2, 8F, [F2i, 42F]x3, F2i, 34F, with Yarn1 ss. (176sts)

Info :

Mark stitches for making B3i: pm in 1st F of Rnd 26, [sk 21F, pm in next F]x7 (21F rem to 1st F). (176sts)

— Bag sides :

Info :

Chart 2 on next page. Video for embossed crochet stitches: https://youtu.be/0Pz8FJQPKvs. Written instructions do not remind you to switch yarn. Make highlighted stitches with Yarn2, all other stitches with Yarn1. See Special stitches and abbreviations and General rules for embossed crochet.

Rnd 27 (RS) :

with Yarn1 ch2 (counts as 1st B of B3i), shallow B2i in 1st F from pr (counts as 2nd and 3rd B of B3i), [*F2t, 17F, F2t*, shallow B3i]x7, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 28 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in same st (in ch-2 from pr; counts as 2nd B of B2i), [*B, B2i, F2t, 15F, F2t*, B2i]x7, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 29 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd B of B2i), [*3B, B2i, F2t, 13F, F2t*, B2i]x7, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 30 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr, [*2B, F, 2B, B2i, F2t, 11F, F2t, B2i, 5B, B2i, F2t, 11F, F2t*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 31 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr, [*3B, F, 3B, B2i, F2t, 9F, F2t, B2i, 7B, B2i, F2t, 9F, F2t*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 32 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*4B, F3i, 5B, F2t, 7F, F2t, B2i, 9B, B2i, F2t, 7F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 33 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*2B, B2t, F2i, hdc bet F's, F, hdc in bet F's, F2i, B2t, 3B, F2i, 3B, F2t, 5F, F2t, F2i, B2i, F, 9B, F, B2i, F2t, 5F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 34 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*B, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), 2 F2i, B in hdc, F, B in hdc, 2 F2i, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts), 2B, F2t, 3F, F2t, B2i, B, F2i, 5B, B2t, F2i, B, B2i, F2t, 3F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 35 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, B2i, F2i, 3F, F2i, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts), B, F2t, F, F2t, B2i, 2B, 2 F2i, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts), B3t, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), 2 F2i, 2B, B2i, F2t, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 36 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*B (in 2 posts), 5F, B2i, B, F, B, B2i, 5F, 2B (1st in 2 posts), F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts), B2i, 3B, F2i, 3F, B3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts; 2nd leg in 3 posts), 3F, F2i, 3B, B2i, F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts)*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 37 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*B, F2t, F, F2t, B2i, 2B, F3i, 2B, B2i, F2t, F, F2t, 2B (finish with Yarn1), with Yarn2 F (in 3 posts of F3t) and finish with Yarn1, 4B, B2i, 4F, F3t (2nd leg in 3 posts), 4F, B2i, 4B (finish last B with Yarn1), with Yarn2 F (in 3 posts); finish with Yarn1]*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Info :

Shift beg of rnd next to the embossed element to minimize visibility of ch-2 at the beg of each round: turn to WS, 7ss (in prev 7sts: F, 4B, B2i), turn.

Rnd 38 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in same st (in 1st B after F from pr; counts as 2nd B of B2i), [*8B (6th in F; finish last B with Yarn1), with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts; finish with Yarn1), 4B, F2i, hdc in bet F's, F, hdc in bet F's, F2i, 4B (finish last B with Yarn1), with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts); finish with Yarn1], 8B (3rd in F), B2i, 3F, F3t (2nd leg in 3 posts), 3F*, B2i, 3F, F3t, 3F, B2i, 3F, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 39 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in same st (in ch-2 from pr; counts as 2nd B of B2i), [*B2i, 9B (last is shallow B in F3t), 2 B2t, 2 F2i, B in hdc, F, B in hdc, 2 F2i, 2 B2t, 4B (1st is shallow B in F3t), F2i, F, F2t (1st leg in next F, sk B2t, 2nd leg in next F), F in same st as 2nd leg of prev F2t, 12F, F2t (1st leg in same st as last of 12F, sk B2t, 2nd leg in next F), F, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 40 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in same st (in ch-2 from pr), [*10B, B2t, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, B2i, F, B2i, 3F, F2i, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 10B, B2i, F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts; 2nd leg in 3 posts)*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 41 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 1st B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*10B, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 5F, B2i, B, F, B, B2i, 5F, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 10B, B2t, F3i (in 3 posts)*, B2t]x3, rep bet *'s, sk ch-2, ss in 1st B.

Rnd 42 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*10B (last in 2 posts), F2t, F, F2t, B2i, 2B, F3i, 2B, B2i, F2t, F, F2t, 10B (1st in 2 posts), B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, F, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, sk ch-2, ss in 1st B.

Rnd 43 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*9B and finish last st with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts) and finish with Yarn1, 4B, F2i, hdc in bet F's, F, hdc in bet F's, F2i, 4B and finish last st with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts) and finish with Yarn1, 9B, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, F2i*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 44 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*9B (last is shallow B in F3t), 2 B2t, 2 F2i, B in hdc, F, B in hdc, 2 F2i, 2 B2t, 9B (1st and last in 2 posts), F2i, 2F, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 45 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*6B, B2t, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, B2i, F, B2i, 3F, F2i, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 6B, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts)]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 46 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*6B, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 5F, B2i, B, F, B, B2i, 5F, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 7B (last in 2 posts), F and finish with Yarn1, fish stripe: with Yarn1 9F and finish with Yarn2, F*, B (in 2 posts)]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Info :

Shift beg of round: with RS facing, 5ss (in 5B), turn.

Rnd 47 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*2B (2nd in 2 posts), F2t, F, F2t, B2i, 2B, F3i, 2B, B2i, F2t, F, F2t, 3B (1st in 2 posts), F2i, 2 B2t, F2i, 9F, F2i, 2 B2t, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 48 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*2B and finish last B with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts) and finish st with Yarn1, 4B, F2i, hdc in bet F's, F, hdc in bet F's, F2i, 4B and finish last B with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts) and finish st with Yarn1, 3B, F2i, F, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), F, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 49 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*3B (last is shallow B in F3t), 2 B2t, 2 F2i, B in hdc, F, B in hdc, 2 F2i, 2 B2t, 4B (1st is shallow B in F3t), F2i, F, F2t (1st leg in next F), sk B2t, 2nd leg in next F, F in same st as 2nd leg of prev F2t, 12F, F2t (1st leg in same st as last of 12F), sk B2t, 2nd leg in next F, F, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 50 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*B, B2t, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, B2i, F, B2i, 3F, F2i, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), B2t, 2B, F2i, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 51 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr, [*B, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 5F, B2i, B, F, B, B2i, 5F, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), B, B2i, 2F, F2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), 13F, F2t (1st leg in 2 posts), 2F*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 52 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr, [*B2i, 2B (2nd in 2 posts), F2t, F, F2t, B2i, 2B, F3i, 2B, B2i, F2t, F, F2t, 2B (1st in 2 posts), 2 B2i, F3t (3rd leg in 2 posts) and finish with Yarn1, fish stripe: with Yarn1 13F and finish with Yarn2, F3t (1st leg in 2 posts)*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 53 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*5B and finish last st with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts) and finish st with Yarn1, 4B, F2i, hdc in bet F's, F, hdc in bet F's, F2i, 4B and finish last st with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts) and finish with Yarn1, 6B, 15F (1st and last in 3 posts)*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 54 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr, [*6B (last is shallow B in F3t), 2 B2t, 2 F2i, B in hdc, F, B in hdc, 2 F2i, 2 B2t, 6B (1st is shallow B in F3t), B2i, F and finish with Yarn1, fish stripe: with Yarn1 F2t, 9F, F2t and finish with Yarn2, F*, B2i]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 55 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*5B, B2t, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, B2i, F, B2i, 3F, F2i, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), B2t, 6B, 13F]*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 56 :

ch2 (counts as 1st B of B2i), B in ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd B of B2i), [*5B, B2t (both legs in 2 posts), 5F, B2i, B, F, B, B2i, 5F, B2t (both legs in 2 posts)]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 57 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*7B (last in 2 posts), F2t, F, F2t, B2i, 2B, F3i, 2B, B2i, F2t, F, F2t, 8B (1st in 2 posts), 11F (2nd and 10th in 2 posts)*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 58 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*4B, F3i, B2t and finish with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t and finish with Yarn1, 2 B2i, 2B, 3F, 2B, 2 B2i and finish last B with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t and finish with Yarn1, B2t, F3i, 5B, F2t, 7F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 59 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*4B, F2i, F, F2i, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts; 2nd leg is shallow B in F3t), 4B, B2t, F2i, F, F2i, B2t, 4B, B2t (1st leg is shallow B in F3t; 2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, F, F2i, 5B, F2t, 5F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 60 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*4B, F2i, 3F, F2i, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts), 4 B (last in 2 posts), 5F, 4B (1st in 2 posts), B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 3F, F2i, 5B, F2t, 3F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 61 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*4B, F2i, 5F, F2i, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts), 3B, 5F, 3B, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 5F, F2i, 5B, F2t, F, F2t*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 62 :

ch2 (counts as B), [*4B, F2i, 7F, F2i, 4B (1st in 2 posts), F2t, F, F2t, 4B (last in 2 posts), F2i, 7F, F2i, 5B and finish with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t and finish with Yarn1*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Info :

Shift beg of round: turn to WS, 6ss (in prev 6sts: F3t and 5B), turn.

Rnd 63 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after F2i from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*7B (4th is shallow B in 3 posts of F3t), B2t, F2i, 9F, F2i, 4B and finish with Yarn1, with Yarn2 F3t and finish with Yarn1, 4B, F2i, 9F, F2i*, B]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.

Rnd 64 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*5B, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 11F, F2i, B2t, 5B (3rd is shallow B in 3 posts of F3t), B2t, F2i, 11F, F2i*, B2t]x3, rep bet *'s, ss in 1st B.

Rnd 65 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*3B, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 13F, F2i*, B2t]x7, rep bet *'s, sk ch-2, ss in 1st B.

Rnd 66 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B2t), B in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr (counts as 2nd leg of B2t), [*B, B2t (2nd leg in 2 posts), F2i, 15F, F2i*, B2t (1st leg in 2 posts)]x7, rep bet *'s, sk ch-2, ss in 1st B.

Rnd 67 :

ch2 (counts as 1st leg of B3t), B2t (1st leg in 2nd B after ch-2 from pr, 2nd leg in 2 posts; counts as 2nd and 3rd legs of B3t), [*F2i, 17F, F2i*, B3t (1st and 3rd legs in 2 posts)]x7, rep bet *'s, with Yarn1 ss in B2t. (176sts)

Dec Rnd 68 :

with Yarn2 ss in next F, ch2 (doesn't count as st), F in same st, 20F, [sk B3t, 21F]x7, sk B3t, sk ch-2, ss in 1st F. (168 sts)

Dec Rnd 69 :

ch2 (doesn't count as st), F in same st (in 1st F from pr), 8F, F2t, 10F, [9F, F2t, 10F]x7, sk ch-2, with Yarn1 ss in 1st F. (160sts)

— Upper edge backing :

Info :

To achieve consistent gauge throughout the pattern, 16sts are decreased in order to align the gauges of sc blo and F stitches.

Dec Rnd 70 :

ch1 (doesn't count as st), sc blo in same st, [*3sc blo, sc2tog blo, 8sc blo, sc2tog blo*, 5sc blo]x7, rep bet *'s, 4sc blo, ss blo in 1st sc. (144sts)

Rnds 71-86 :

ch1 (doesn't count as st), sc blo in same st, 143sc blo, ss blo in 1st sc. Fasten off after Rnd 86. (144sts)

— Reinforcing upper edge backing with buckram :

Info :

To determine size of strip: unfold and measure width; multiply width by 2 and add 2cm allowance. Approx strip: 7cm x 80cm (2 3/4" x 31 1/2"). Cut buckram to measurements. Turn bag inside out and apply buckram interfacing to wrong side of upper edge backing. Overlap edges and baste/stitch. Use zig-zag or other stretchable stitch to secure upper, bottom and overlapped side edges. Fold backing in and hand-stitch the edge to wrong side of bag if not adding a lining.

— Spiral cord handles (x2) :

Info :

Video: https://youtu.be/Th1hfMbRoAQ. With Yarn2 leave 30cm/12" tail, make 78cm/30 3/4" long 8-sts spiral cord starting with one 4sc-row (video and pictures show 10 rows). Fasten off, leaving 30cm/12" tail. Measure while cord is fully stretched. To prevent excessive stretching insert a narrow non-stretchable tape inside after creating approx 1cm of the cord and sew ends of tape to beginning and end of the cord.

— Handle attaching strip (x4) :

Row 1 (RS) :

locate 8 middle sts of Round 69 positioned above any fish, join Yarn2 in front post of 1st st, ch1, drop tail, ch1 (2 ch count tog as F), 7F, turn.

Row 2 (WS) :

ch2 (counts as B), 7B, turn.

Row 3 (RS) :

ch2 (counts as F), 7F, turn.

Rows 4-8 :

rep Rows 2, 3. Fasten off leaving 30cm/12" end for a seam. Weave in beg tail. Repeat for the remaining 3 fish (picture 1).

— Loop seam cover (x4) :

Info :

With Yarn2 ch14 and work 9 rows of slip stitch rib. Fasten off leaving 30cm/12" tail. Thread tapestry needle with tail and position strip over loop seam. Ensure short edges of strip face inner side of bag. Begin sewing at top of strip using small invisible stitches to secure the seam. Use overcast stitch to stitch short edges together. Secure seam and stitch bottom of strip to handle using back stitch. Finally, weave in beginning tail of strip.

— Loop at the end of spiral cord handle (x4) :

Step 1 :

Measure and mark 15cm/5 7/8" from each end of the handle.

— Loop seam cover photos and spiral cord strap instructions :

Flat part to attach strap to D-ring :

Row 1: leave 20cm/8" end for a seam, ch5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 3sc, turn (4sc). Pictures show 10 sc rows, but for Corfu bag make only 1.

Spiral part. Rnd 1 :

ch1, sc blo in same st, 3sc blo. Turn, 4sc (in 2nd lp of the same 4sc, but working from other side). (8sc) Spiral section: ch1, sc in 1st lp from above, sc in 2nd lp, sc in 3rd lp, sc in 4th lp, … sc in 8th lp. Do not join the round; work in spiral repeating Round 2.

Info :

Continue working in a spiral pattern until required length. For this project one row of 4 single crochet at the beginning and end of the strap is needed. Fasten off leaving 20cm/8" tail for seam.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach head/tops? (Not applicable) — Attach handle attaching strip into the loop at the end of the handle, ensuring the loop seam cover is facing the inner side of the bag; thread tapestry needle with 30cm/12" tail from the strip and fold strip to WS and sew each stitch at the edge of the strip securely to both loops of one of the 8 stitches from which the strip was started.
  • Secure upper edge backing by folding the buckram-backed strip in and hand-stitching the backing edge to the wrong side of the bag if no lining will be added; baste and stitch overlapping edges and use zig-zag or stretchable stitches for stability.
  • Insert spiral cord handles into the loops at the top of the bag; secure ends by sewing through the 4sc-row and making the loop seam cover, then tie off and weave in ends to prevent slipping.
  • If lining is used, stitch side seams of the lining and insert it into the bag, tuck 2cm/3/4" of the lining under the upper edge backing and baste and hand-stitch the backing and lining to the bag's wrong side with small invisible stitches.
  • Reinforce attachment points by stitching the handle attaching strip securely to the bag's upper edge backing with small invisible stitches on the right side to prevent sliding.
  • Measure and mark handle loop positions and attach all four handles evenly around the top edge using the marked stitches (positions located above the fish motifs and referenced in photos).

Important Notes

  • 💡Use Yarn1 (background) for all back post stitches, half double crochet, last ss in each round and fish stripes unless noted otherwise.
  • 💡When switching colours, finish the previous stitch with the next colour and make the last yarn over with the new colour to avoid loose loops.
  • 💡Make all highlighted embossed stitches with Yarn2 and all other stitches with Yarn1 as indicated in the charts and written instructions.
  • 💡Mark the first F of Rnd 26 for B3i placement and follow the marking pattern [sk 21F, pm in next F]x7 to keep the embossed elements aligned.

This Corfu Bag pattern is a detailed project combining embossed stitches, charts and photo tutorials to help you every step of the way. The bag is sturdy, decorative and perfect for daily use or as a handmade gift. With videos and charts included, you will love creating the raised motifs and professional finishing touches. 🧶✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished bag be?

Approximate bag measurements: Length 41.5cm (16 3/8") from the bottom center to the upper edge, Width 38.8cm (15 1/4"), Loaded bag height 32cm (12 5/8"), Handles length 64cm (25 1/4").

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can use another yarn weight but this will affect finished size and gauge; choose appropriate hook size and make a gauge swatch (front post or back post double crochet: 23 sts x 15 rows = 10cm x 10cm).

Do I need prior experience with post stitches?

This is an intermediate pattern and uses front post and back post double crochet, increases and decreases in posts; videos and photos are included to help you learn these techniques.

How long does the project take to complete?

This is a multi-day project and typically takes 12-15 hours depending on your experience and how much finishing (lining, backing) you add.