Corral Square Satchel: Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Corral Square Satchel is a beginner-friendly crochet bag with a Western soul: one big single crochet square folds into a tidy envelope purse with just two seams. A wide turquoise-and-clay stripe runs across the center of the chocolate brown body, and a little crocheted "buckle" tab on the flap finishes the look. It works up in worsted weight cotton, so it holds its shape and feels sturdy but soft in the hand. If you can single crochet and slip stitch, you can make this bag.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) cotton or cotton-acrylic blend. Chocolate brown (A): 400 yds; turquoise (B): 100 yds; clay (C): 100 yds.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (US H/8).
• Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, and matching sewing thread or a few yards of A for attaching the buckle and tab.
• Finished size: Approx. 12 inches wide x 10 inches tall x 3 inches deep.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• inc – increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• R – row; Rnd – round.

Gauge

16 sts and 18 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. Work a small swatch and measure a 4-inch section in the middle; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your 48 stitches at the end of every row for the first few rows; the square's edges set the whole bag's shape.
• Change colors on the last pull-through of the final stitch of the row before the new color so the stripe edge stays clean.
• Keep your tension even rather than tight; a slightly firm, even sc gives structure without curling.
• Before seaming, lay the square flat and check it measures about 12 inches square so the finished bag matches the listed size.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Square (make 1)

With A, ch 49.

R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (48 sts).

R2–4: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (48 sts).

Change to B.

R5–6: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (48 sts).

Change to C.

R7–8: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (48 sts).

Change to B.

R9–10: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (48 sts).

Change to A.

R11–36: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (48 sts). Do not fasten off.

Side Seams

Fold the square in half with right sides together, matching the short edges. Working through both layers along each side edge, sc 24 sts per side. Fasten off. Turn the bag right side out.

Flap

With A, join yarn at the top edge of the bag, leaving the center 12 sts open for the bag opening. Work across the remaining 36 sts.

R1: sc in each st across (36 sts).

R2: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog (34 sts).

R3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (34 sts).

R4: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog (32 sts).

R5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (32 sts).

R6: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog (30 sts).

R7: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (30 sts).

R8: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog (28 sts).

R9: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (28 sts).

R10: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog (26 sts).

R11: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (26 sts).

R12: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog (24 sts). Fasten off.

Buckle Tab

With A, ch 11.

R1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (10 sts).

R2–3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (10 sts). Fasten off.

Buckle

With C, ch 6, join with sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: sc in each ch around (6 sts).

Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12 sts). Fasten off.

Edging

With B, join yarn at a side seam. Sc evenly around the entire outer edge of the bag and flap, working 1 sc in each st along the straight edges and 2 sc in each corner stitch so the edge lies flat. Join with sl st to the first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the clay buckle to the center front of the flap with matching thread or yarn. Sew the brown tab over the buckle, leaving the tab's top edge open so it reads as a buckle strap. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting with water, shaping the bag to 12 x 10 x 3 inches, and letting it dry flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the stripe colors for any two contrasting shades to match your own Western palette.
• Add a purchased magnetic snap behind the flap for a little extra security.
• Work the edging in A instead of B for a more subtle, tonal finish.