Summer ’22: Crochet Wristlet (Updated)
There’s something uniquely satisfying about making your own accessories. You pick the colors, the texture, the size — and when someone asks where you got that cute little bag, you get to say, “I made it.” The crochet wristlet is one of those projects that never really goes out of style, but every summer brings a fresh reason to revisit it. This updated version of the Summer ’22 Crochet Wristlet takes everything that made the original pattern so popular and refines it: better construction, clearer instructions, and a few design tweaks that make the finished piece look more polished without adding much difficulty.
Whether you crocheted the first version and want to try the improvements, or you’re discovering this pattern for the first time, this guide walks you through everything — materials, stitches, sizing, the full pattern, and tips for customizing it to match your personal style.
Why a Crochet Wristlet for Summer?
Summer accessories are all about balance. You want something small enough that it doesn’t weigh you down at the beach or the farmers market, but functional enough to hold your phone, some cash, a lip balm, and your keys. A wristlet hits that sweet spot perfectly. It keeps your hands free, it sits close to your body, and it adds a handmade touch to any outfit — from a linen sundress to a festival look.
Crochet, specifically, is ideal for summer bags for a few reasons. The stitches naturally create a slightly open, breathable fabric. Cotton yarn (the recommended choice for this pattern) is cool to the touch and washes easily, which matters when sunscreen and sand are in the picture. And compared to knitting, crochet tends to produce a sturdier fabric for bags — one that holds its shape even when you’re stuffing it a little too full.
The original Summer ’22 pattern was designed with all of this in mind, and this updated version keeps that philosophy while solving a few of the most common issues crafters reported: a zipper installation that was trickier than expected, a base that tended to stretch out over time, and a wrist strap that needed reinforcement.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you start, gather everything listed below. Having your materials ready before you sit down to crochet saves a lot of interruptions and keeps the creative momentum going.
Yarn: 100% cotton worsted weight yarn, approximately 150–200 yards. Cotton is the top recommendation here because it’s sturdy, resists stretching, and comes in an enormous range of summer-ready colors. Mercerized cotton gives an especially smooth, slightly lustrous finish. If you want a little stretch or drape, a cotton-acrylic blend works well too. Avoid wool for this project — it’s too warm for summer use and doesn’t handle moisture as well.
Hook: A size 4.5mm (US size 7) crochet hook. This slightly smaller hook than what the yarn’s label might suggest creates a tighter fabric, which is important for a bag. A looser weave means things will poke through the gaps or the bag will lose its shape.
Hardware: A 7-inch zipper in a coordinating or contrasting color. You’ll also need a swivel clasp (also called a lobster clasp) and a D-ring for the wrist strap, plus a short length of chain or ribbon — about 8 inches — to create the wrist loop. All of these are available at any craft store or online.
Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, straight pins for blocking and seaming, and a sewing needle with thread that matches your zipper tape color.
Optional: Fabric stiffener spray or a piece of thin plastic canvas cut to fit the base of the bag. Either of these will prevent the bottom from sagging over time, which is the most common long-term issue with crocheted bags.
Stitches and Skills Required
This pattern is written for confident beginners and intermediate crocheters. If you know how to chain, work single crochet, slip stitch, and join rounds, you have everything you need. The pattern also uses half double crochet for the body, which gives the bag walls a slightly taller, more flexible fabric than single crochet alone.
Here’s a quick rundown of the abbreviations used throughout:
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
BLO — back loop only
st — stitch
rnd — round
rep — repeat
Gauge
Gauge matters more for bags than you might think. If your stitches are too loose, the bag will be floppy and oversized. If they’re too tight, it will be stiff and smaller than expected.
Work a gauge swatch before starting: chain 16 and work 10 rows of hdc. Your swatch should measure approximately 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall. If it’s wider, go down a hook size. If it’s narrower, go up a hook size. Block the swatch before measuring — wet blocking cotton makes a visible difference.
Finished Size
This updated pattern produces a wristlet that measures approximately 8 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall, not including the wrist strap. This is sized to hold a standard smartphone (up to 6.7 inches) along with cards and small essentials. If you want a slightly smaller clutch style, simply stop two rounds earlier on the body. For a larger everyday bag, add two or three rounds.
The Pattern
Part One: The Base
The base of the bag is worked flat, then the sides are worked in continuous rounds around the perimeter of the base. This construction is the most significant update from the original pattern — working into the base perimeter gives you a much cleaner edge and a more structured bottom.
Foundation: Ch 21.
Row 1: Sc in the second chain from hook and in each chain across. (20 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in each st across. (20 sc) Ch 1, turn.
Rows 3–6: Rep Row 2. (20 sc each row)
At the end of Row 6, do not turn. You’ll now work around the entire perimeter of this rectangle to begin the body.
Part Two: The Body
Rnd 1 (joining round): Ch 1. Work 20 sc across the top of Row 6, then 3 sc in the corner st, work 6 sc evenly down the short side, 3 sc in the corner, 20 sc across the bottom (working into the starting chain), 3 sc in the corner, 6 sc up the other short side, 3 sc in the final corner. Join with sl st to the first sc. (64 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st here or throughout). Working in BLO, hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to the first hdc. (64 hdc)
Working in BLO on this round creates a distinct ridge at the bottom of the bag, which visually separates the base from the walls and adds structural definition. This is one of the small details that makes a real difference in the finished look.
Rnds 3–14: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to the first hdc. (64 hdc each round)
At 12 rounds of hdc, your bag walls will be approximately 5 inches tall. If you want a taller bag, continue adding rounds here. Each additional round adds about 0.4 inches of height.
Rnd 15 (top edge): Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off yet.
Part Three: Zipper Installation
This is the step that intimidated the most people in the original pattern, and the instructions have been rewritten here to be as clear as possible.
First, flatten the bag so the two 20-stitch sides are facing each other front and back. Fold the top edge of the bag down by about a quarter inch to the inside — just enough to create a clean hem for the zipper to attach to. Pin this fold in place with straight pins.
Lay your zipper face-down inside the bag along the top opening. The zipper pull should be positioned a half inch in from one of the short sides. Pin the zipper tape to the folded hem on both the front and back panels.
Using a sewing needle and matching thread, whip stitch the zipper tape to the hem on both sides, working as close to the teeth as you comfortably can. This keeps the zipper running smoothly and prevents the fabric from catching. Remove pins as you go.
Once the zipper is sewn in, open it fully and check that it lies flat and moves without snagging. If the fabric bunches at the zipper pull end, take a few extra stitches there to anchor it down.
Important tip: If you’re intimidated by hand-sewing a zipper, a fabric glue specifically designed for zipper tape is a legitimate and durable alternative. Several crafters in the original pattern’s community swear by this method and report that their bags have held up beautifully through a full season of use.
Part Four: The Wrist Strap
The original wrist strap was a simple crocheted chain, which worked but tended to twist and felt a little flimsy. This updated strap uses a D-ring and swivel clasp setup that looks more professional and is actually more comfortable to wear.
Step 1: Thread your 8-inch length of chain or ribbon through the D-ring and fold it in half so both ends meet. Sew or use a split ring to attach the D-ring to the short side of the bag near the top edge, at the opposite end from the zipper pull.
Step 2: Attach the swivel clasp to the free end of the chain or ribbon. When you’re wearing the wristlet, the clasp hooks onto the D-ring to form the loop around your wrist. This design means you can adjust the tightness slightly and the strap won’t slip off unexpectedly.
If you prefer a fully crocheted strap, here’s the alternative: Ch 4 with two strands of yarn held together. Sl st in the first ch to form a ring. Work 40 sc around the ring, creating a tight, tube-like strap. Attach this to the bag at both ends using the hardware, or simply sew each end directly to the bag at the top corners.
Finishing Touches
Weave in all ends thoroughly using a yarn needle. For cotton yarn especially, take the time to weave in several different directions — cotton can work its way loose more easily than wool.
Block the finished bag by getting it completely wet, gently pressing out excess water in a towel, and then shaping it to its dimensions on a flat surface. Let it dry completely before inserting any items or using it. Blocking evens out the stitches, settles the fabric, and gives the bag a much more finished, intentional look.
If you’re using plastic canvas for the base, cut a rectangle slightly smaller than the base interior and slip it inside before loading the bag with your belongings. This simple addition keeps the bottom flat even after months of use.
Color Ideas for Summer ’22
Part of what made the original Summer ’22 version of this pattern so popular was its color palette. The most shared versions on Instagram and Ravelry tended to be bold, sun-saturated single colors — terracotta, bright cobalt, sage green, and a warm butter yellow. The updated pattern works equally well in those tones.
For summer 2022 specifically, consider a two-color version: work the base and first few rounds of the body in one color, then switch to a contrasting or complementary color for the upper portion. The BLO ridge at the base of the body is a natural visual dividing line that makes color changes look intentional and clean.
Variegated or self-striping cotton yarn is another excellent option. Because the body is worked in rounds without any complicated stitch pattern to compete with, the color changes in a variegated yarn create beautiful, organic stripes on their own. Less decision-making, more fun results.
Customization Options
One of the best things about making your own accessories is that you control every detail. A few popular modifications from the original pattern community are worth mentioning here.
Adding a small interior pocket is simpler than it sounds. Before joining the zipper, crochet a small flat rectangle (about 4 inches by 3 inches) in single crochet and whip stitch three sides of it to the inside of the back panel. This creates a slip pocket that’s perfect for cards or folded cash.
Embellishment is another area where this pattern invites creativity. Surface slip stitch in a contrasting color creates a simple stripe effect. A row of picot stitches along the top edge adds a vintage, delicate touch. You can also attach a small crochet flower, a tassel, or a pom-pom to the zipper pull for a playful finishing detail.
If you’re making this as a gift, consider the recipient’s lifestyle. A nurse or teacher might appreciate a longer strap that can be worn crossbody — you can achieve this by replacing the wrist strap hardware with a longer chain or crocheted strap. Someone who loves festivals or outdoor concerts might want a version in a bold, eye-catching color with a tassel zipper pull. The base pattern is versatile enough to accommodate all of these variations without any structural changes.
Caring for Your Crochet Wristlet
Cotton crocheted items are refreshingly easy to care for. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, and either lay flat to dry or tumble dry on low. Avoid wringing the bag, which distorts the shape and can stress the zipper seam.
If the bag gets a little misshapen over time, a quick re-blocking fixes it. Just wet the bag, reshape it, and let it dry. Cotton bounces back beautifully with this treatment, which is one more reason it’s the ideal fiber choice for a summer accessory you plan to actually use.
A Note on the Updates
If you worked through the original Summer ’22 pattern and found it frustrating in places, the changes here are meant specifically to address the most common pain points. The base construction is more structured, the zipper instructions are step-by-step rather than assumed knowledge, and the wrist strap hardware is clearly specified. The overall dimensions are the same, so if you loved how the original fit your hand and your phone, this version will feel immediately familiar. The updates are refinements, not reinventions.
If you make this wristlet, share it. Tagging your projects and seeing how other crafters interpret the same pattern — different colors, different yarn textures, different embellishments — is one of the genuine joys of the crochet community. The Summer ’22 Crochet Wristlet looks different on every person who makes it, and that variety is exactly the point.
