Crochet Phone Pouch Pattern | Moss Stitch Crossbody Bag PDF + Video
If you’ve been searching for a crochet phone pouch pattern that looks polished, works up quickly, and actually fits your everyday life, this is the one. The moss stitch crossbody bag is one of those projects that checks every box — it’s beginner-friendly enough that you won’t lose your mind, but the texture of the moss stitch makes the finished result look like something you’d find in a boutique shop. Whether you’re heading to a farmer’s market, running errands, or just want your hands free without carrying a giant tote, this little crossbody phone bag is your answer.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to make your own: material lists, gauge information, step-by-step written instructions, tips for customizing the size, and links to the downloadable PDF and accompanying video tutorial. Let’s get into it.
Why the Moss Stitch?
Before we dive into the pattern, it’s worth talking about why the moss stitch is such a great choice for a phone pouch. Also called the granite stitch or linen stitch (depending on who you ask and which variation you’re using), the moss stitch creates a beautifully dense, almost woven-looking fabric. It has very little stretch compared to single or double crochet on their own, which means your phone stays put rather than stretching the bag out of shape over time.
The texture it creates is eye-catching without being complicated. It looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did, which is always a win. The stitch also works up with a nice weight and structure, so the bag holds its shape even when it’s empty — no sad, droopy pouch situations here.
If you’ve never worked the moss stitch before, don’t worry. It’s a two-stitch combination that repeats across every row, and once you get the rhythm going, your hands will practically do it on autopilot. The video tutorial linked with this pattern walks through the stitch slowly for complete beginners.
Materials You’ll Need
To make this crochet crossbody phone bag, here’s what you’ll want to gather before you sit down to start.
Yarn: Approximately 150–200 yards of worsted weight yarn (size 4). Cotton yarn is a great choice for this project because it adds structure and doesn’t stretch the way acrylic does. That said, a cotton-acrylic blend works beautifully too and tends to be softer and easier on your hands during the project. Some popular choices are Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, Paintbox Simply DK (held double if you want a slightly chunkier result), or any worsted weight you already have in your stash.
Hook: US Size G (4.0 mm) or H (5.0 mm), depending on your tension. The pattern is written for a 4.25 mm hook, but always swatch first.
Other supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, stitch markers, and a button or magnetic snap closure. You’ll also need a length of chain or cord for the strap — either crocheted, braided, or purchased, depending on your preference. Optional but helpful: a small piece of fabric or a bag liner if you want a clean interior finish.
Gauge
Gauge is important for this pattern because you want the bag to actually fit your phone. Different phone sizes require slightly different dimensions, so checking your gauge will save you the frustration of finishing a beautiful pouch only to find your phone doesn’t slide in.
Gauge: 16 stitches x 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in moss stitch using a 4.25 mm hook and worsted weight yarn.
If your gauge is tighter (more stitches per inch), go up a hook size. If your gauge is looser (fewer stitches per inch), go down a hook size.
Finished Dimensions
The finished pouch, before adding a strap, measures approximately 4.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall. This comfortably fits most standard smartphones, including larger models like the iPhone Plus or Samsung Galaxy. If you have a smaller phone, you can easily reduce the stitch count and row count — more on customization below.
Abbreviations
Throughout the pattern, the following abbreviations are used:
ch — chain, sc — single crochet, ch-1 sp — chain-1 space, sk — skip, sl st — slip stitch, rep — repeat, RS — right side, WS — wrong side, st(s) — stitch(es).
Pattern Notes
This bag is worked in two flat panels that are then seamed together along the bottom and sides. Working flat rather than in the round makes it much easier to maintain the moss stitch pattern and keeps your edges clean. The flap is worked as a continuation of the back panel.
The moss stitch pattern used here is: single crochet, chain 1, skip 1. This creates the characteristic grid-like texture. On each subsequent row, you work your single crochet into the chain-1 space of the previous row rather than into the stitch itself.
Read through the full pattern before beginning.
Step-by-Step Crochet Phone Pouch Pattern
Foundation Chain
Chain 23. This gives you a starting width of approximately 4.5 inches.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in the 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, repeat from to across. You should have 12 single crochets and 11 chain-1 spaces. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 1, sk ch-1 sp, sc in next sc, repeat from to across, ending with sc in last sc. Turn.
Wait — let’s correct that to be true to the moss stitch. Once you’ve established the stitch pattern, every row works like this:
Row 2 and onward: Ch 2, sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp, repeat from to across, ending with ch 1, sc in last st. Turn.
Continue in this pattern until the front panel measures 7.5 inches from the foundation chain. Fasten off and leave a tail for seaming.
Front Panel
Work exactly as described above for 7.5 inches. This is your front panel. Set it aside.
Back Panel and Flap
Chain 23 and work in the moss stitch pattern exactly as the front panel. Continue until the piece measures 7.5 inches — this is the back panel that will align with the front. But don’t fasten off here. Continue working in the moss stitch pattern for an additional 3.5 inches. This extension becomes the fold-over flap of the bag.
At the end of the flap, you have a few options. You can keep it as a straight edge for a clean, modern look, or you can shape it into a rounded or pointed flap. To create a slight curve at the tip, decrease one stitch at each end every other row for the last 1 inch of the flap.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Button Loop (Optional)
If you’re using a button closure, add a small loop at the center of the flap’s bottom edge. With RS facing, join yarn at the center of the flap edge, ch 8, sl st into the same st to form a loop, fasten off. Adjust the chain count depending on the size of your button.
Assembling the Bag
Lay the front panel and back panel with wrong sides together, aligning all edges carefully. Using your yarn needle and a length of the same yarn, whipstitch or single crochet the two panels together along the bottom edge and both side edges. Leave the top open, of course.
If you’re using single crochet to join (which creates a visible ridge on the outside and adds a nice design element), work through both layers at once with your hook and join yarn. Sc evenly along both sides and the bottom, placing 3 stitches in each corner to keep the corners flat and square. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Adding the Border (Optional)
A simple single crochet border around the top opening of the bag helps stabilize the edge and makes everything look polished. Join yarn at one of the top side corners, sc evenly across the front top edge, around any exposed corners, and across the back top edge. Slip stitch to join. Fasten off.
If you want to create a more finished look around the flap as well, single crochet all the way around the flap’s perimeter.
Making the Crossbody Strap
The strap is where you can really personalize this bag. Here are three options.
Crocheted chain strap: This is the simplest option. Chain approximately 120 stitches, then sc across for 2 rows to create a flat, narrow strap. This gives you a strap of roughly 45–50 inches, which is a standard crossbody length. Adjust the chain count to your preferred length.
Braided strap: Cut six lengths of yarn, each about two times your desired strap length. Group them into three pairs and braid to your desired length. This creates a chunky, bohemian-style strap that looks fantastic. Secure the ends tightly.
Purchased strap or D-rings: If you want something really sturdy, visit your local fabric or craft store and pick up a set of D-rings with a bag strap. Sew or crochet a small loop of yarn through the D-ring and attach it securely to the top corner of the bag on each side. Then clip in any bag strap you like — this also makes the bag more versatile since you can swap straps.
Attach the strap to the top corners of the bag using whipstitch, making sure to go through multiple layers for security. Knot the ends and weave them in, or tie them securely if using the braided option.
Adding the Closure
Button and loop: Sew your button onto the front panel, centered, about 1 inch below the top edge. The loop you made on the flap should reach it comfortably when the flap is folded down.
Magnetic snap: This is the most practical option for everyday use. Purchase an inexpensive magnetic snap set from any craft store (they usually come with washer pieces to protect the fabric). Position one half of the snap on the underside of the flap and the other on the outside front of the bag. Mark the placement carefully, then push the prongs through your crochet fabric, slip the washers on, and bend the prongs flat. This takes about five minutes and makes the bag feel very professional.
No closure: The bag also works without any closure at all, especially if the flap is long enough to tuck down securely. This is a great low-effort option.
Customizing for Different Phone Sizes
One of the best things about making your own crochet phone pouch is that you can size it exactly to your phone. Here’s how to adjust.
Measure your phone’s width and height. Add 0.5 inch to the width and 1 inch to the height for ease and seam allowance. Use these numbers as your target dimensions and adjust your stitch count and row count accordingly. If your phone is narrower, reduce your foundation chain by 2–4 stitches. If it’s shorter, work fewer rows. Always do a quick check by holding your crochet fabric up to your phone as you work rather than waiting until the end.
For a slim phone like an iPhone SE, a foundation chain of 19 stitches and a height of 6 inches works well. For larger phones like the iPhone Pro Max, consider a foundation chain of 27 stitches and a height of 8 inches.
Tips for Success
Cotton yarn can be slightly splitty when you’re working the moss stitch because you’re inserting your hook into chain spaces rather than stitches, but occasionally a beginner catches yarn in the wrong place. Go slowly at first and make sure you’re always working into the chain-1 spaces of the previous row, not into the single crochets themselves.
Keep your tension consistent throughout the project. If you notice one area of the bag looks looser or tighter than the rest, it’s worth frogging (unraveling) back to that point and reworking it. An even tension makes seaming much easier and gives you a cleaner finished product.
When seaming, take your time. The join is the difference between a bag that looks handmade in the best way and one that looks rushed. Use a proper tapestry needle and work methodically.
Block your finished panels before seaming if you’re using cotton yarn. A quick wet block — just soak the panels in cool water for a few minutes, press out the water gently in a towel, and lay flat to dry — evens out any tension inconsistencies and gives you crisp, clean edges to work with.
Download the PDF Pattern
A printable PDF version of this crochet crossbody phone bag pattern is available for download. The PDF includes the full written pattern, a visual diagram of the moss stitch layout, size adjustment chart for common phone models, and a materials checklist. Whether you prefer to work from your screen or print it out and take it to your favorite armchair, the PDF makes it easy to crochet along at your own pace.
Watch the Video Tutorial
If you’re new to the moss stitch or just prefer to see the process in action before committing to the project, the video tutorial walks through every step from the foundation chain to attaching the strap. It’s filmed in close-up so you can really see how the hook moves through the chain spaces, and there are timestamps for each section so you can jump to exactly where you need to be.
The video also includes a bonus segment on different closure options and a quick tip for lining the bag with a small fabric insert if you want a cleaner, more structured interior.
More Ideas and Variations
Once you’ve made one of these, it’s very hard to stop at just one. Here are a few ways to play with the design.
Try striping the yarn — switching colors every two rows creates a beautiful striped effect with the moss stitch that looks incredibly dynamic. Because you’re working flat, you can simply pick up the new color at the beginning of the row and carry the old one up the edge.
Add a tassel to the flap tip for a boho-chic touch. Cut about twenty 6-inch lengths of yarn, fold them in half, and pull the folded loop through the tip of the flap with your crochet hook. Pull the ends through the loop and tighten. Trim to an even length.
Make a mini version as a coin purse by halving the stitch count and row count. Use a zipper instead of a button for closure.
Work the panels in two different colors for a two-tone look — one color for the front and a contrasting color for the back. When you seam with single crochet, use a third accent color for the seam to make it a feature rather than something to hide.
Final Thoughts
This crochet phone pouch pattern is genuinely one of those makes that you’ll come back to again and again. It’s fast enough to finish in a weekend, satisfying enough that you’ll feel proud every time you wear it, and useful enough that it earns its keep in your daily life. The moss stitch gives it that handcrafted-but-intentional quality that elevates it beyond a beginner project even though the technique itself is very accessible.
Whether you’re crocheting it for yourself or making a batch as gifts (because yes, these make incredible gifts), the pattern is endlessly adaptable. Different yarn colors, different strap styles, different closures — every version feels fresh.
Grab your hook, pick your favorite yarn, and give this one a try. And if you make one, share your finished project — there’s something really lovely about seeing how different yarns and colorways transform the same pattern into something completely unique each time.
