Handmade Granny Square Bag | MakerPlace by Michaels

There is something deeply satisfying about turning a pile of colorful yarn into a functional, fashionable accessory that you made entirely with your own hands. The handmade granny square bag is one of those projects that perfectly captures everything people love about crochet — it is approachable for beginners, endlessly customizable, and produces a finished item that looks far more complex and intentional than the individual steps suggest. Whether you are a longtime crocheter looking for a fun weekend project or someone who has just learned the basics and wants to make something you can actually carry out into the world, this is the bag for you.

At MakerPlace by Michaels, we celebrate the art of making things from scratch. Our crafting spaces and community events are designed for people who believe that handmade is always better, and the granny square bag is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. This post walks you through everything you need to know — from choosing your yarn and understanding the basic granny square construction, to assembling the finished bag and adding the details that make it uniquely yours.

What Is a Granny Square and Why Does It Make Such a Great Bag?

The granny square is one of the most iconic motifs in the history of crochet. It is a small, flat square worked in the round, typically built from clusters of double crochet stitches separated by chain spaces. The result is an open, lacy texture that is both lightweight and structurally interesting. Granny squares became especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s, when crafters stitched them together into blankets, vests, and ponchos using every scrap of yarn in their stash.

Today, the granny square has made a full-circle comeback. Fashion designers, independent makers, and crochet communities everywhere have rediscovered the motif and pushed it in exciting new directions. You will find granny square bags on the shelves of boutique shops, on the arms of style influencers, and, most importantly, in the hands of people who made them at home.

A bag made from granny squares works so well because the modular construction gives you a lot of control. You can adjust the size of your bag simply by changing how many squares you make or how large each square is. You can use a single color palette for a sophisticated, modern look or go full rainbow maximalism with a different color combination in every single square. The structure of the joined squares also creates a naturally sturdy fabric that holds its shape without needing a stiff lining, though adding one is always an option if you want extra body.

Gathering Your Materials

Before you start crocheting, it helps to have everything laid out and ready to go. Here is what you will need for a classic granny square bag project.

Yarn. The most important decision you will make is about your yarn. For a bag that holds its shape and stands up to regular use, a cotton or cotton-blend yarn is an excellent choice. Cotton is durable, washable, and has a clean stitch definition that makes the granny square pattern pop. A medium weight yarn, labeled as size 4 or worsted weight, is the easiest to work with and will produce squares that are large enough to assemble into a bag without taking forever to complete. If you want something lighter and more summery, a size 3 DK weight cotton will work beautifully too, though you will need to make more squares to reach the same finished dimensions.

At Michaels, you will find a wonderful range of cotton yarns perfect for this kind of project. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is a perennial favorite among bag makers for its consistent twist, smooth texture, and array of solid colors. Paintbox Simply DK and Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima are also worth exploring if you want a slightly more elevated feel. For a playful scrappy look, this is also a fantastic project for using up partial skeins in your stash — even very small amounts of leftover yarn can become a granny square.

Hook. Match your hook size to your yarn weight and the tension you want. For worsted weight cotton, a 5mm hook is a great starting point, though you may want to go up to a 5.5mm if you tend to crochet tightly. The goal is a fabric that is firm enough to hold its structure without being so stiff that it is hard to work with.

Scissors and a yarn needle. You will use scissors to cut yarn at the end of each color change and a yarn needle to weave in all of those ends. If you are making a scrappy multicolored bag, be prepared to weave in quite a few ends — it is one of the less glamorous parts of the process, but doing it carefully will give your finished bag a much more polished look.

Stitch markers. Optional but helpful, especially when you are assembling multiple squares and want to keep track of alignment.

Bag hardware. Depending on the style you are going for, you might want a set of handles, a zipper or magnetic snap closure, D-rings for a removable strap, or ring handles made from wood, acrylic, or bamboo. Michaels carries a wide selection of bag hardware in the sewing and notions section, and browsing what is available can inspire your design direction before you even start crocheting.

Lining fabric. Entirely optional, but adding a simple fabric lining to the interior of your bag gives it a more finished, professional look and adds stability. A quarter yard of woven cotton fabric is usually more than enough for a small to medium bag.

How to Make a Classic Granny Square

If you have never made a granny square before, do not let that stop you. This is one of the most beginner-friendly patterns in all of crochet, and most makers can complete their first square in under an hour once they understand the rhythm of it. Here is a breakdown of the classic construction, written in straightforward terms.

Start by making a magic ring, or if you prefer a simpler beginning, chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a small ring. This ring forms the center of your square.

Round 1. Chain 3 — this counts as your first double crochet. Work 2 more double crochets into the ring, then chain 2 to form a corner space. Repeat this sequence — 3 double crochets followed by chain 2 — three more times, so that you have four clusters total with four corner spaces. Join with a slip stitch to the top of your starting chain 3. This gives you the foundational shape of the square with one cluster on each side and a corner space at each corner.

Round 2. Join a new color (if desired) in any corner space. Chain 3, work 2 double crochets in the same corner space, chain 2, and work 3 more double crochets in that same corner space. This creates a full corner cluster. Move along the top of the previous round, adding 3 double crochets in the space between the previous round’s clusters, then repeat the full corner in the next corner space. Continue around all four corners. By the end of this round, you will have corner clusters at each corner and a single middle cluster on each of the four sides.

Round 3 and beyond. Each subsequent round adds another cluster on each side and another full corner cluster at each corner. You can continue working rounds until your square reaches whatever size you need. A two-round square made with worsted weight yarn measures roughly 3 to 4 inches. A four-round square can reach 6 to 7 inches. For a bag, three or four rounds per square is a sweet spot that gives you a decent size without taking too long.

Finish each square by cutting your yarn, pulling the tail through the final loop, and weaving in all ends securely. Press your squares lightly with a damp cloth if they are curling at the edges — cotton responds well to blocking and will lie much flatter after a quick steam.

Designing Your Bag Layout

Once you have a stack of finished squares, the fun part begins: figuring out how they fit together. The layout of your bag depends entirely on your design vision and the number of squares you have made.

A simple tote-style bag can be made from as few as eight squares — four for the front panel, four for the back panel — joined along their edges with the sides and bottom seamed together. If you want side panels and a structured bottom, you will need a few additional squares to cover those surfaces.

Before you start sewing anything together, lay your squares out on a flat surface and play with the arrangement. If you are using multiple colors, this is the moment to decide whether you want them distributed evenly across the bag, grouped in gradients, or scattered randomly for a true scrappy look. Step back and look at the layout from a bit of a distance — colors that seem fine up close can create visual imbalances when you look at the whole composition.

Photograph your preferred arrangement before you start joining so you have a reference to come back to. It is incredibly easy to lose track of which square goes where once you start picking them up and stitching them together.

Joining the Squares

There are several ways to join granny squares, and the method you choose will affect both the look and structure of your finished bag.

The flat slip stitch join is clean and relatively invisible, pulling the edges of two squares together with a slip stitch worked through the back loops on both pieces. It creates a flat, smooth seam on the right side of the work.

The join-as-you-go method is popular with more experienced makers. Instead of completing all your squares and then joining them afterward, you attach each new square to the previous one during the final round of crocheting. This eliminates most of the seaming step and can feel very satisfying once you get the hang of it.

The decorative join uses a visible single crochet or slip stitch worked from the right side of the fabric, creating a raised ridge along every seam. When done in a contrasting color, this join becomes a design feature in itself — outlining each square and giving the finished bag a strong graphic quality.

For a bag specifically, a join that creates a sturdy, stable seam is important. Single crochet joining through both loops is a reliable choice because it creates a slightly raised edge that adds structure and prevents the squares from shifting relative to each other during use.

Assembling the Bag

With your squares joined into front and back panels (and side panels if you are including them), the final assembly involves seaming the panels together to create the bag shape. Work with your yarn needle and a length of matching or contrasting yarn, using a whipstitch or mattress stitch along the edges. Leave the top of the bag open.

At this point, you will also attach whatever handles or straps you have chosen. Wooden ring handles can be attached by folding the top edge of the bag over the ring and stitching it down securely from the inside. Sewn-on fabric handles can be reinforced with a box stitch for extra strength. If you want a removable crossbody strap, stitch D-rings to the side seams and attach a purchased or handmade strap through the rings.

If you are adding a lining, now is the time. Cut your fabric to match the interior dimensions of your assembled bag, sew the fabric into a simple bag shape, and slip it inside with the wrong sides facing each other. Hand stitch the lining to the inside of the top edge of the bag, tucking the raw fabric edge under as you go. A lining dramatically reduces how much small items can slip through the open granny square stitches, making the bag actually practical for everyday carry.

Customization Ideas to Make It Your Own

One of the greatest joys of making a handmade granny square bag is that no two need to ever look exactly alike. Here are a few ways to personalize your project.

Color blocking is one of the simplest ways to create a high-impact look. Choose two or three colors and assign each square a consistent color combination — for example, all squares might have the same neutral center color with different outer rounds, or you might alternate two completely different colorways in a checkerboard arrangement.

Solid squares mixed with classic granny squares can add textural variety. A solid square is simply a granny square worked without the chain spaces, creating a dense, flat surface. Alternating these with open lacy squares creates a pattern of positive and negative space that is visually striking.

Motif swaps are another exciting direction. The same square-based construction works with floral motifs, star motifs, or any other square-shaped crochet medallion. Flower granny squares, in particular, look beautiful assembled into a bag and give the finished piece a more ornate, decorative quality.

Fringe, tassels, and pom-poms attached along the bottom edge or at the handles add a bohemian flair. Even a single tassel hanging from a zipper pull can elevate the look considerably.

Caring for Your Handmade Granny Square Bag

A bag made from cotton yarn is generally quite easy to care for. Most cotton yarns are machine washable on a gentle cycle, but always check the label of the specific yarn you used. Wash the bag in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from snagging, and reshape it while damp before laying it flat to dry. Avoid putting it in a dryer on high heat, as this can cause cotton to shrink and may distort the shape of the bag.

Spot cleaning works well for minor marks. A damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild dish soap will handle most everyday dirt without requiring a full wash.

Why MakerPlace by Michaels Is the Perfect Place to Start

MakerPlace by Michaels was built for exactly this kind of project. Our locations offer crafting studio space where you can work on your bag in good company, surrounded by fellow makers who are just as passionate about handmade goods as you are. We regularly host crochet workshops and crafting events where you can learn new techniques, get help troubleshooting a tricky join, and leave with a community of people who share your love of making.

Beyond the physical space, Michaels provides everything you need to stock up on supplies. From the yarn and hooks to the bag hardware, lining fabric, and finishing notions, you can find it all in one place. Our team members genuinely love crafting and are happy to help you find exactly the right materials for your project.

Whether you are making your first granny square bag as a beginner project or you are an experienced crocheter looking to experiment with new color combinations and construction techniques, this is a project that rewards every level of skill and creativity. The finished bag is something you will actually use — and every time you carry it, you will know that you made it yourself, from the very first loop of yarn to the last woven-in end.

That is what making things by hand is all about. Stop by MakerPlace by Michaels and bring your next project to life.