Celtic Crochet Bag Charm – FREE Pattern by Celtic Knot Crochet

There is something undeniably magical about a small, handcrafted charm swinging from the handle of a bag. It transforms an ordinary tote or purse into something personal, something that tells a little story about the person carrying it. And when that charm draws on the ancient, interwoven beauty of Celtic design, it becomes something truly special. Today I am so excited to share this free Celtic crochet bag charm pattern with you, designed with love here at Celtic Knot Crochet.

Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a quick and satisfying project, or a beginner wanting to dip your toes into decorative crochet, this pattern is for you. It works up in under an hour using yarn you probably already have in your stash, and the result is a beautiful, textured charm that looks incredibly intricate without requiring any advanced skills. Let me walk you through everything you need to know, from the materials list all the way to finishing tips, plus a little inspiration for how to use and gift these delightful little pieces.

Why Bag Charms Are Having a Moment

Bag charms have quietly become one of the most beloved accessories in the handmade community, and for good reason. They are small enough to finish in a single sitting, they use up scraps of yarn that might otherwise sit forgotten in a drawer, and they make genuinely thoughtful gifts. In a world where fast fashion dominates, a handmade bag charm is a tiny act of rebellion — a declaration that beautiful things can be made slowly, with intention and care.

Celtic-inspired designs in particular have seen a huge surge of interest. There is a growing appreciation for the rich symbolism behind Celtic knotwork, the way interlocking lines represent eternity, interconnection, and the cycles of nature. Translating that aesthetic into crochet feels natural because the craft itself is built on loops within loops, stitches connected to one another in a continuous, unbroken chain. There is a poetic alignment between Celtic art and crochet that I find endlessly inspiring.

About This Pattern

This Celtic crochet bag charm pattern creates a small, dimensional piece that features a raised, textured design reminiscent of classic Celtic knotwork. It uses a combination of foundation chain, slip stitches, and surface crochet to build up layers of visual depth without complicated construction. The finished charm measures approximately 3 to 3.5 inches in length including the hanging loop, making it the perfect size to attach to a handbag, tote, backpack, keyring, or even a zipper pull.

The design is worked in two stages. First, you create the base medallion, which is a small, flat circular or oval piece. Then you add the surface knotwork detail on top. This two-stage approach gives the charm its signature dimensional look and allows you to play with color combinations, using one color for the base and a contrasting color for the knotwork.

Materials You Will Need

One of my favorite things about this pattern is how minimal the materials list is. Here is what you will need to make your Celtic crochet bag charm.

Yarn: A small amount of DK weight (light worsted) yarn in two colors. You will barely make a dent in a full skein, so this is a perfect stash-buster project. I love using earthy, natural tones for a traditional Celtic feel — think forest green, deep burgundy, warm gold, or rich navy. For the knotwork overlay, a contrasting metallic or tonal yarn adds a beautiful shimmer.

Hook: A 3.5mm crochet hook works beautifully with DK weight yarn. If you are using a lighter fingering weight, drop down to a 2.5mm or 3mm hook. The fabric should be firm and dense rather than loose and drapey, so don’t be afraid to go down a hook size if needed.

Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, a small split ring or lobster clasp (available from any craft or jewelry supply shop), and optionally a few small beads or a charm pendant to add extra decorative detail at the bottom.

Scissors: Always a good idea to have a sharp pair nearby.

Gauge and Sizing

Gauge is not critical for this project since the charm does not need to fit anything precisely. That said, working to a tighter gauge will give you a firmer, more structured piece that holds its shape well when hanging. A roughly circular medallion base of about 1.75 to 2 inches in diameter before the surface work is added is what you are aiming for.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
MR — magic ring (also called a magic circle)
st — stitch
sp — space
rnd — round
RS — right side

Pattern Instructions

Base Medallion (worked in Color A)

Begin by making a magic ring, or if you prefer, chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch throughout). Work 8 sc into the ring. Join with sl st to the first sc. (8 sts)

Round 2: Ch 2. Work 2 hdc into each stitch around. Join with sl st to the top of the first hdc. (16 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1. Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st — repeat from to around. Join with sl st to the first sc. (24 sts)

Round 4: Ch 2. Hdc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st — repeat from to around. Join with sl st to the top of the first hdc. (32 sts)

Fasten off and leave a tail for weaving in. This gives you a firm, neat circular medallion. Press lightly with a damp cloth if needed to flatten.

Hanging Loop

With Color A, attach yarn to any stitch on the outer edge of the medallion at the top center point. Ch 15. Sl st back into the same stitch to form a loop. Fasten off and weave in the end securely, as this loop needs to bear the weight of the charm. If you prefer extra security, work a second pass of slip stitches back along the chain before fastening off.

Thread your split ring or lobster clasp through the loop so the charm is ready to attach.

Surface Knotwork (worked in Color B)

This is where the magic happens. Surface crochet is a technique where you work on top of an already-finished piece, drawing loops up through the fabric to create raised lines. It sounds daunting but is genuinely easy once you get started.

With the RS of the medallion facing you and Color B, insert your hook through any stitch on the surface from front to back. Draw up a loop of Color B from behind the work. Chain 1 to secure.

Now you will work a series of slip stitches across the surface of the medallion, following the knotwork path described below. The key is to work into the stitches and spaces of the base medallion, guiding your surface slip stitch line in curves and diagonals to mimic the looping lines of Celtic knotwork.

Knotwork Path 1 (the outer loop): Starting at the top of the medallion, work surface sl sts in a curved arc toward the right side, dipping down to the center-right area, then curving back up and over to the top-left, and arcing back down to your starting point to complete a loose oval shape. The oval should sit inside the outer edge of the medallion, about one round of stitches in from the perimeter.

Knotwork Path 2 (the inner cross): Beginning at the top-center intersection of Path 1, work surface sl sts diagonally down to the lower-left, crossing over the outer oval at the side. Continue to the bottom-center of the medallion. Then, starting again from the top-center, work diagonally down to the lower-right, crossing the outer oval on that side. You will have formed an X shape through the center of the medallion that intersects with your outer oval, giving the impression of interlocking Celtic knotwork.

The beauty of surface crochet for this kind of design is that you do not need to be perfectly precise. Celtic knotwork has an organic, fluid quality, and slight variations in your lines simply add to the handmade character. Fasten off Color B and weave in the end on the wrong side.

Optional Tassel or Bead Embellishment

To add a finishing touch at the bottom of the medallion, cut three to five strands of yarn approximately four inches long. Fold them in half, insert the folded end through a stitch at the bottom of the medallion, and pull the loose ends through the folded loop to create a small tassel. Trim evenly. You can also thread a bead or small pendant onto the center strand of the tassel before trimming for extra charm.

Finishing and Care

Weave in all remaining ends carefully, especially the hanging loop end which takes the most stress. A tiny drop of fabric glue on the knot can add extra security if you want to be sure nothing will come undone.

To block the medallion, simply dampen it lightly and pin it to a foam board in the desired shape, leaving it to dry flat. This evens out the stitches and gives the finished charm a professional, polished appearance.

Because this charm will hang on a bag and be exposed to daily wear, choose a yarn that is robust and colorfast. Wool, cotton, and acrylic all work well. If you choose wool, bear in mind that it may felt slightly if it gets wet repeatedly, which can actually add to the density and durability of the piece.

Color Inspiration and Variations

One of the joys of this pattern is how many ways you can customize it. Here are some color and design directions that I love.

For a classic Celtic look, try deep forest green for the base with gold or bronze for the knotwork. This combination has an almost medieval quality that feels rich and timeless.

For a coastal, sea-glass aesthetic, pair a soft sage green base with cream or white knotwork. Add a few shell beads to the tassel for a summery feel.

For something bold and modern, try black for the base with a bright pop of coral, cobalt, or chartreuse for the surface knotwork. This unexpected color pairing makes the Celtic motif feel fresh and contemporary.

For a magical, witchy vibe, deep plum or midnight blue with silver or gray knotwork is absolutely stunning. Add a small amethyst-colored bead at the bottom and this charm could double as a beautiful gift for someone who loves all things mystical.

You can also make these charms entirely in a single color for a more subtle, tonal effect, where the texture of the surface crochet becomes the main visual interest rather than color contrast.

Ideas for Gifting

These bag charms are one of the most universally appreciated handmade gifts I have ever made. They work for virtually any occasion and almost any recipient.

For birthdays, make the charm in the recipient’s favorite colors or incorporate a birthstone-colored bead. For Christmas, tiny charms in red and green or silver and white make gorgeous stocking stuffers or gift tags that can be kept and used long after the season is over. For a bridal shower or bachelorette party, make a set of matching charms for the bride and her party in their wedding colors.

Teachers, nurses, coworkers, neighbors — a Celtic bag charm is a meaningful, personal gift that does not require you to know very much about someone’s taste beyond their favorite color. Because it is small and lightweight, it also ships easily if you are sending a handmade gift by post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with fingering weight or worsted weight yarn? Absolutely. With fingering weight, your finished medallion will be slightly smaller and more delicate. With worsted weight, it will be chunkier and more substantial. Both look beautiful, just adjust your hook size accordingly and expect slight differences in the finished dimensions.

What if I have never tried surface crochet before? This project is actually a wonderful introduction to the technique. The stakes are very low since the piece is small, and any small imperfections in your surface lines simply add to the handmade charm. There are plenty of helpful video tutorials on surface crochet available online if you want a visual guide before you begin.

Can I use this pattern to sell items? Yes! This is a free pattern and you are welcome to use it to make charms for sale. I only ask that you credit Celtic Knot Crochet as the designer when listing your items. Thank you so much for supporting independent crochet designers.

How do I attach the charm to my bag? The lobster clasp or split ring that you thread through the hanging loop makes attachment easy. Simply clip the lobster clasp onto a handle, D-ring, or zipper pull. If you used a split ring, you can thread it directly onto a handle or attach it to a keyring.

A Few Words on Celtic Craft Traditions

It feels right to pause and acknowledge the tradition that inspired this design. Celtic knotwork has a history stretching back over a thousand years, found in illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells, carved into ancient stone crosses, woven into metalwork and jewelry throughout Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. The interlocking, unbroken lines were understood as symbols of eternity, of the interconnectedness of all living things, of the continuous flow of time.

When we incorporate these motifs into our crochet, even in something as small and simple as a bag charm, we are participating in a very long tradition of handcraft and ornamentation. There is something deeply satisfying about that continuity, about the fact that a person sitting at a kitchen table with a crochet hook and a bit of yarn is connected, however tenuously, to the monks and metalworkers and weavers who came before.

Final Thoughts

I hope this free Celtic crochet bag charm pattern brings you as much joy to make as it brings me to share. Whether you are making just one for yourself or working through a whole batch as gifts, I think you will find the process meditative and the result genuinely beautiful. The combination of the firm little medallion base and the surface knotwork is one of those techniques that always gets comments — people cannot quite believe it is crocheted until you show them up close.

If you make this charm, I would absolutely love to see it. Share your finished photos and tag Celtic Knot Crochet — there is nothing that makes my day quite like seeing these patterns come to life in the hands of makers all around the world.

Happy hooking, and may your stitches always flow like Celtic knotwork — unbroken, beautiful, and full of meaning.