Nightjar Bag Crochet Pattern

Nightjar Bag in Berroco Iris

What is Being Made

The Nightjar Bag is a crocheted tote bag designed by Mel Kennelly. This beginner-friendly project creates a practical everyday bag with finished measurements of approximately 26 inches (66 cm) around and 12 inches (30.5 cm) down the center, not including the straps. The bag features a structured shape achieved through strategic increases at corner points, making it suitable for carrying essentials while maintaining a polished appearance.

Techniques Used

This crochet pattern employs fundamental techniques appropriate for beginners. The construction begins with a foundation chain worked in the round, establishing the base of the bag. Stitch marker placement is essential throughout the project to track corner increases and the beginning of each round. The pattern uses strategic increases at marked corner stitches to create shaping and structure, with the crocheter moving markers to the center of newly created stitches as the bag expands. The bag is worked in continuous rounds using slip stitches to join rounds, and the pattern includes blocking after completion to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Stitches Used

• Half Double Crochet (hdc): The primary stitch throughout the entire project, used for both the base rounds and the body of the bag
• Chain Stitch (ch): Used for the foundation and to begin each round
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds and create seamless transitions

Materials

The Nightjar Bag is designed to be worked in Berroco Iris yarn, requiring 3 hanks (100 g each) in colorway #11608 Platinum. A size E-4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook is used to achieve the specified gauge of 18 stitches and 14.5 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in half double crochet, measured after blocking. Additional notions include removable stitch markers or safety pins to track increases and round beginnings throughout construction.

Pattern Details

The pattern begins with a foundation chain of 20 stitches worked in the round. The first round establishes the bag's base with half double crochet stitches, including increases at two corner points marked with stitch markers. Subsequent rounds continue the expansion with increases at the marked corners—3 stitches worked into each marked stitch with the marker repositioned to the center stitch of each group. This shaping technique creates the bag's characteristic structure. The initial shaping rounds are followed by the body section, where the corner markers are removed and replaced with a beginning-of-round marker to track progression. The gauge is measured after blocking, and checking gauge before beginning ensures accurate finished measurements for this 26-inch circumference bag.