How to Crochet a Red Car Free Amigurumi Pattern That Actually Works
The Boho Bloom Bag
Free Granny Square Bag Pattern by Maria Fronte
The Misunderstood Granny Square
Admit it. When you hear the words "granny square," a very specific image pops into your head, doesn't it? It’s probably a heavy, scratchy afghan in shades of avocado green and harvest gold, draped over a dusty couch. For decades, the humble granny square has been misunderstood, seen as dated, fussy, and just... well, old.
But what if I told you that's all wrong? What if the granny square isn't a relic of the past, but one of the most versatile, creative, and modern building blocks in all of crochet? It's time for a revolution. A granny square renaissance!
You're a Painter, But with Yarn
Here’s how I want you to think about this project. You're not just a crocheter; you're an artist. A painter. And your yarn is your palette. Each little granny square you create is a miniature canvas, a small explosion of color and texture. You get to play with combinations, to see how that pop of coral sings next to a cool teal, or how mustard yellow brightens everything up.
When you start joining these squares, you’re not just assembling a bag. You’re composing a masterpiece. It's a vibrant, wearable mosaic that carries your personality, your creativity, and your story in every single stitch. This isn't your grandma's crochet project—unless your grandma was a super cool, bohemian artist.
Project Gallery
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Creating Your Canvases
Alright, artist. It's time to mix your "paints." Go raid your yarn stash for the most joyful, vibrant colors you can find. Don't overthink it! Some of the best color combinations happen by accident. We'll be making 13 squares in total. This is the perfect project for using up scraps and letting your creativity run wild. Each square is a quick, satisfying make, so let's get started.
Materials You'll Need
- Worsted weight cotton yarn in various colors (perfect for scraps!). You'll need a main color for joining and the handles.
- 4.0mm (G) crochet hook.
- Yarn needle & Scissors.
- Optional: Fabric for lining (approx. half a yard), sewing machine or needle/thread, and magnetic snap closure.
- Optional: Purchased bag handles if you don't want to crochet them.
Abbreviations Used
- ch
- chain
- sl st
- slip stitch
- sc
- single crochet
- dc
- double crochet
- MR
- magic ring
- sp
- space
- [...]
- work instructions within brackets as a set
The Pattern: Boho Bloom Bag
Classic Granny Square (Make 13) Feel free to change colors on every round! Rnd 1: Start with a MR. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in ring, ch 2. [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times. Join with a sl st to top of initial ch 3. (4 clusters of 3 dc) Rnd 2: Sl st in next 2 dc and into the ch-2 corner sp. Ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same sp (first corner made). *Ch 1, in next ch-2 corner sp work [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]*. Repeat from * to * two more times. Ch 1, join with a sl st to top of initial ch 3. Rnd 3: Sl st to the corner sp. Ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in same sp. *Ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in next corner sp*. Repeat from * to * two more times. Ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-1 sp, ch 1. Join with a sl st. Rnd 4: Continue in this manner, working [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in each corner and [3 dc] in each ch-1 space along the sides, with a ch 1 between each cluster. Make each square 4 or 5 rounds, depending on your desired size. Ensure all squares are the same size. Fasten off and weave in ends. Bag Assembly Arrange your 13 squares in the layout shown in the gallery photos: - One side of the bag is a 2x3 rectangle of squares (6 squares). - The other side is the same (6 squares). - The final square is the base of the bag. You can join the squares using any method you like (whip stitch, sc join), but a flat slip stitch join or join-as-you-go (JAYG) looks fantastic. 1. Lay out the 6 squares for one side. Join them into a 2x3 rectangle. Repeat for the other side. 2. Take one of your 2x3 panels. Attach the single base square to the bottom middle two squares. 3. "Fold" the bag up by joining the sides. The two side panels will attach to the sides of the base square, and then you'll seam up the two vertical sides of the bag. Top Edging & Handles Rnd 1: Attach your main color to a top corner of the bag opening. Ch 1, sc evenly around the entire opening. Place 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-1 sp. Place 3 sc in the "seam" between squares to keep it neat. Join with a sl st. Rnd 2-4: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with a sl st. For Crocheted Handles (Make 2): Ch 71. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (70) Row 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (70) Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing. Securely sew the handles to the inside top of the bag. Lining (Highly Recommended): Cut two pieces of fabric the size of your bag front, plus seam allowance. Sew them together, leaving the top open. Hem the top edge, place the lining inside the bag, and hand-sew it to the top edge, just below your sc rounds.
Your Wearable Masterpiece
There. Step back and look at what you’ve made. It’s not just a bag, is it? It’s a riot of color, a statement, a piece of you. You took one of the oldest patterns in the book and made it sing. You made it modern, joyful, and completely your own. That’s the magic of crochet. It’s taking a simple string and turning it into something beautiful, functional, and full of life. Now go take your masterpiece out into the world—it deserves to be shown off.
Did Your Bag Bloom?
I am so excited to see the amazing color palettes you come up with! Share your finished Boho Bloom Bag with our creative community.
