Crochet Pattern Megan Bag Video Tutorial: How to Make a Stunning Briefcase Bag DIY with Polyester Rope

If you’ve been searching for a crochet project that combines structure, style, and practicality, you’ve found exactly what you need. The Megan Bag is one of those patterns that turns heads every single time you carry it. With its clean lines, flat bottom, and professional briefcase-style silhouette, this bag works just as well at a farmers market as it does at a creative workspace or casual office. And the best part? You’re going to make it yourself, from scratch, using polyester rope — one of the most satisfying materials to crochet with.

In this post, I’m walking you through everything you need to know about the Megan Bag crochet pattern, including a breakdown of the video tutorial, materials, techniques, and tips for getting the best results. Whether you’ve been crocheting for years or you’re ready to level up from your first few projects, this bag is absolutely achievable, and the process is deeply enjoyable.

Why the Megan Bag?

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. There are thousands of crochet bag patterns out there, so what makes the Megan Bag worth your time?

The answer comes down to three things: shape, durability, and versatility.

Most crochet bags have a soft, slouchy quality that, while beautiful, doesn’t always hold its form over time. The Megan Bag is different. Its briefcase-inspired rectangular silhouette gives it architectural structure that keeps its shape wear after wear. The flat base means it sits upright on any surface without tipping over or flopping to the side. The top handles sit cleanly at the top, making it easy to carry by hand or tuck under your arm.

Then there’s the material. Polyester rope — sometimes called macramé cord or poly rope — gives this bag a weight and firmness that ordinary yarn simply can’t achieve. It creates tight, defined stitches that lock together and resist stretching. The finished bag doesn’t sag when you load it up with your wallet, notebook, water bottle, and everything else you carry through your day.

Finally, the versatility. The natural, textured look of polyester rope works beautifully in neutral tones. A Megan Bag in off-white or cream looks effortlessly elegant. One in terracotta or sage feels bohemian and earthy. A deep charcoal or black version reads almost architectural. You can make one bag to match everything in your wardrobe, or make several in different colors and treat them as seasonal accessories.

Materials You’ll Need

Getting your materials right before you start is one of the most important steps in any crochet project, and the Megan Bag is no exception. Here’s what you need to gather before you sit down with the video tutorial.

Polyester Rope (3mm or 5mm): The most commonly used size for this pattern is 3mm for a medium-sized bag or 5mm for a slightly larger, chunkier version. You’ll need approximately 200 to 250 meters depending on your gauge and the size you want. Polyester rope is the preferred choice over cotton rope because it holds its shape better, resists moisture, and has a slight sheen that gives the finished bag a polished look. Cotton rope is softer but tends to stretch more and can lose its structure after regular use.

Crochet Hook: For 3mm polyester rope, a 5mm or 5.5mm hook works well. For 5mm rope, step up to a 7mm or 8mm hook. The slightly larger hook than what the rope diameter suggests helps create an even, workable tension that isn’t too tight or too loose.

Yarn Needle: You’ll need a large-eye tapestry or yarn needle to weave in ends and sew any pieces together if your version of the pattern requires it.

Scissors: Sharp, dedicated craft scissors make clean cuts through polyester rope. This matters more than you might think, because frayed ends are harder to weave in neatly.

Bag Handles or Bag Rings (optional): Some versions of the Megan Bag incorporate crocheted handles that are part of the main body, while others use wooden rings or metal D-rings for a more structured, high-end look. The video tutorial will show you which approach the specific designer uses, but it’s worth having both options in mind before you start shopping.

Stitch Markers: These are your best friend on any structural bag project. You’ll use them to mark the beginning of rounds and to track specific increase or decrease points.

Bag Base Insert (optional but recommended): A thin rectangular plastic base insert can be placed inside the bottom of the finished bag to keep the flat bottom truly flat. You can purchase these ready-made online or cut one from a plastic canvas sheet. Some crocheters skip this step and find the polyester rope firm enough on its own, but if you plan to carry heavier items regularly, the insert is worth it.

Understanding Polyester Rope Before You Start

If you’re new to working with polyester rope, it behaves quite differently from the yarn you may be used to. Taking a few minutes to understand its properties will save you frustration later.

First, polyester rope doesn’t have much give. When you pull your stitches tight, they stay tight. This is what creates that beautiful defined stitch definition, but it also means you need to be intentional about your tension from the very first stitch. If your first few rows feel stiff and your hands feel cramped, you may be gripping the rope too tightly. Try to relax your grip and let the hook do the work.

Second, the ends of polyester rope will unravel if you cut them and leave them exposed. Before you cut any length of rope, use a lighter or match to briefly melt the tip, rolling it between your fingers (carefully, while it’s still warm but not burning hot) to create a sealed, tapered end. This takes about two seconds per cut and prevents a lot of frustration later.

Third, polyester rope can be slippery compared to fibrous yarns. Some people find it helpful to use a metal hook with a slightly textured grip, or to work with a bamboo or wooden hook that provides more friction against the cord.

Finally, polyester rope is quite strong and doesn’t break easily, which is great for durability but means you should take care when frogging (unraveling) and re-crocheting sections. The rope can kink from repeated working and unworking, so try to get your gauge swatch right before diving into the full project.

Stitches Used in the Megan Bag Pattern

One of the beautiful things about the Megan Bag is that it doesn’t require complex stitches. The structure comes from the rope and the shaping, not from intricate stitch patterns. That said, you should be comfortable with the following before starting.

Chain stitch (ch): Used to begin the foundation and sometimes to create handles or joins.

Single crochet (sc): The primary stitch for most versions of this bag. Single crochet with polyester rope creates a dense, tight fabric that is exactly what you want for a structured briefcase-style bag.

Slip stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds and to move your working yarn to a new position without adding height.

Single crochet increase (2 sc in same stitch): Used at the corners of the flat base to build the rectangular shape.

Working in the round and in continuous rounds: The Megan Bag body is typically worked in continuous rounds (no joining) after the flat base is established. Using a stitch marker to mark your round beginnings is essential.

If you know these stitches, you have everything you need to follow along with the video tutorial and complete this pattern successfully.

Following the Video Tutorial: A Section-by-Section Guide

The Megan Bag video tutorial is typically structured in a way that walks you through the project in logical phases. Here’s what to expect from each phase and what to pay close attention to.

Phase One: The Flat Base

The bag begins with a foundation chain that determines the length of your bag’s base. Most Megan Bag patterns create a base that is roughly 30 to 35 centimeters long and 12 to 15 centimeters wide. You’ll work single crochets along both sides of the foundation chain, increasing at the short ends to curve around and build the oval or rectangular base shape.

Pay careful attention in the video to how many increases the designer places at each corner. Getting the corner increases right is what gives you a truly flat, even base versus one that cups upward or ruffles at the edges. If your base is cupping, you need more increases. If it’s ruffling, you have too many.

Phase Two: Building the Walls

Once your base is the right size, you begin working upward to form the walls of the bag. At this stage you’ll stop increasing and simply work single crochets into each stitch around in continuous rounds. The walls grow fairly quickly, especially with 5mm rope, and you’ll see the bag take shape rapidly.

The height of the Megan Bag walls is typically between 18 and 22 centimeters, giving it that deep, functional briefcase proportion. The video will specify the number of rounds, but it’s always a good idea to check your measurements against your own work and adjust if needed. Everyone’s tension is slightly different.

Phase Three: The Top Edge and Handles

This is where the Megan Bag gets its distinctive look. The top edge is typically finished with a neat single crochet border, and the handles are either crocheted separately and attached, or created by working a chain bridge over a gap left in the top edge.

If your version of the pattern creates crocheted handles, the video will walk you through reinforcing them with extra rows or by working back and forth in short sections to add thickness. Polyester rope handles are surprisingly strong, but the extra rows make them more comfortable to hold and give them a finished, intentional look.

If your version uses rings, the video will show you how to attach the rope to the ring with a single crochet border that wraps completely around the ring, securing it firmly. This technique creates a beautiful, high-end-looking attachment that won’t slip or loosen over time.

Phase Four: Finishing

Finishing a polyester rope bag is quick compared to finishing a yarn project. Because you’ve sealed your rope ends as you cut them, there are fewer loose ends to contend with. Any ends you do have should be woven through at least four to five stitches in different directions and trimmed close. Because the stitches are so dense, ends stay put without needing to be knotted.

If you’re adding a base insert, do so at this stage. Slide it into the bottom of the bag and use a few hand stitches with a yarn needle and a short piece of rope to anchor it to the base stitches if needed.

Tips for Getting a Professional-Looking Megan Bag

The difference between a bag that looks handmade in the best possible way and one that looks a little rough comes down to a handful of details. These are the things experienced crocheters know that they wish someone had told them at the start.

Consistent tension is everything. Check your tension every few rounds, especially on the base. If you start tight and loosen up as you warm up, your bag will have an uneven texture. Take a break if your hands are getting tired, because tired hands grip differently.

Measure as you go. Don’t rely solely on stitch counts when working with polyester rope, because your gauge may differ from the designer’s. Measure the base before you start the walls, and measure the wall height before finishing the top edge.

Keep your rope tangle-free. A loose ball of polyester rope on the floor will tangle constantly. Work from a center-pull ball or place the rope in a small bag or bowl that lets you draw it out smoothly without tangles pulling at your work.

Watch the video more than once. Before you cast on a single stitch, watch the complete video tutorial all the way through. This gives you a mental map of the whole project and means you won’t be surprised by any techniques or turns. Then watch each section again just before you work it.

Don’t rush the corners. The corners of the base are the technical heart of this pattern. Take your time placing your increases exactly where the video indicates, and count your stitches after each round on the base to make sure you’re on track.

Customizing Your Megan Bag

Once you’re comfortable with the basic pattern, there are so many ways to make the Megan Bag uniquely yours.

Color is the most obvious variation. A solid neutral is always chic, but a tonal combination — like two shades of dusty rose, or a cream body with caramel handles — adds depth without complexity. Stripes are also achievable by switching rope colors between rounds.

You can also vary the size significantly by changing your rope weight and hook size. A miniature version worked in 2mm polyester rope with a 3mm hook creates a beautiful small pouch that can be carried as an evening bag. A generous version in 8mm jumbo rope creates a market tote or beach bag version of the same silhouette.

Adding a lining is another popular customization. A simple rectangular fabric lining sewn by hand or machine and slip-stitched to the top edge of the bag protects your belongings, gives the interior a finished look, and adds a pop of pattern or color that only you and people you show will see.

A magnetic snap closure or a zipper can also be added before the lining goes in, turning the open tote into a more secure everyday bag.

Why Crochet Bags Are Worth Making by Hand

In a world where you can order a bag from virtually anywhere at any price point, it’s worth reflecting on why handmaking a bag like this one is still meaningful. There’s a practical answer and a personal one.

The practical answer is quality. A well-made polyester rope crochet bag, worked at a good tension with quality materials, will outlast most fast-fashion tote bags by years. The stitches don’t unravel. The handles don’t split. The structure doesn’t collapse. You made something built to last.

The personal answer is harder to quantify but more important. There is something deeply satisfying about carrying an object you made yourself. Every time someone asks where you got your bag and you say you made it, there’s a quiet pride in that moment. Handcraft connects us to a tradition of making that is older than any brand or trend, and the Megan Bag — with its clean, modern lines — is proof that that tradition is very much alive and relevant today.

Ready to Start?

The Megan Bag video tutorial gives you every visual and verbal cue you need to work through this pattern successfully. Gather your polyester rope, get your hook ready, find a comfortable spot with good light, and press play. Take it section by section, don’t skip the gauge swatch, and trust the process.

By the time you weave in that last end and hold up your finished Megan Bag, you’ll understand exactly why so many crocheters return to this pattern again and again — and why they make one for every person they love. Happy crocheting.