Summer ’22: Crochet Wristlet (Updated)
Summer is the season that pushes every crafter to reach for lighter yarns, brighter colors, and projects small enough to tuck into a beach bag. If you have been searching for the perfect warm-weather make, a crochet wristlet might just be your new obsession. This updated guide walks you through everything you need to know about the Summer ’22 crochet wristlet trend — from the materials that make it shine to the stitch patterns that give it that irresistible boho-chic look, plus a full walkthrough so you can make one yourself.
Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or someone who just learned to chain stitch last weekend, this project is approachable, quick to finish, and endlessly customizable. Let’s dive in.
Why the Crochet Wristlet Had Its Moment in Summer 2022 — and Why It’s Still Going Strong
The Summer 2022 fashion season brought with it a wave of nostalgia. Y2K aesthetics were everywhere, cottagecore had not yet faded, and the broader DIY revival that gained momentum during the pandemic years was still in full swing. Against that backdrop, the crochet wristlet emerged as a perfect storm of function and fashion.
Small, structured bags have always cycled in and out of trend, but what made the crocheted version so appealing in Summer ’22 was the handmade quality. In a market saturated with fast fashion accessories, carrying something you made yourself — or that someone clearly made by hand — felt genuinely special. Social media platforms were flooded with colorful wristlets dangling from sun-kissed wrists at outdoor festivals, farmers markets, and rooftop gatherings.
The appeal has not dimmed since then. If anything, the crochet wristlet has settled into a permanent spot in the handmade accessories world because it checks so many boxes at once. It is compact enough to hold your phone, some cards, and a lip balm. It keeps your hands free. It doubles as a clutch when you loop the wrist strap around your fingers. And it is one of those projects where the finished product looks far more complicated than it actually is to make.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on your first chain, let’s talk about what you will actually need for this project. One of the best things about making a wristlet is that the materials list is short and affordable.
Yarn: Opt for a cotton or cotton-blend yarn for a summer wristlet. Cotton is breathable, holds its shape beautifully, and gives you that clean stitch definition that makes any bag look polished. A weight of worsted (category 4) or DK (category 3) works well here. Worsted weight will give you a slightly sturdier bag with faster progress, while DK weight produces a finer, lighter result. For a classic Summer ’22 look, reach for bright, saturated colors — think terracotta, cobalt blue, citrus yellow, or a creamy off-white. You will need roughly 100 to 150 yards of your main color, with small amounts of contrasting colors if you plan to add stripes or a colorwork border.
Hook: A 4mm or 5mm crochet hook pairs well with the yarn weights mentioned above. If you tend to crochet tightly, size up half a millimeter to keep the fabric from becoming too stiff.
Wrist strap hardware: You will need either a metal wrist chain or a simple key fob hardware set, both of which are available at craft stores and online. The hardware typically includes a swivel clasp and a D-ring, which allows you to attach and detach the strap easily. If you prefer an all-fabric wristlet, you can crochet or braid your own strap instead.
Zipper or closure: A 7-inch zipper works for most wristlet sizes. Choose one in a complementary or contrasting color — the zipper pull is a small but visible detail that can really elevate the finished look. If you prefer to avoid a zipper, a magnetic snap closure or a simple button loop are both good alternatives.
Lining fabric (optional but recommended): A wristlet sees a lot of daily use, and lining it adds structure, protects your stitches, and gives the inside a clean, professional appearance. A fat quarter of quilting cotton is more than enough. Choose a fun print — this is your secret interior garden that only you see when you open the bag.
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, straight pins or clips for holding pieces together while you sew, and a sewing needle with thread to attach the zipper and lining.
Stitch Guide and Abbreviations
If you are working from this pattern, here are the abbreviations you will encounter:
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
st(s) — stitch(es)
BLO — back loop only
sp — space
rep — repeat
pm — place marker
The body of a classic Summer ’22 wristlet is worked in rows, which means you will be crocheting flat panels and then seaming them together (or working a three-needle join). Some variations work the bag in the round, which eliminates seaming but requires a different setup for the zipper.
The Pattern: Summer ’22 Crochet Wristlet
Finished Dimensions
Approximately 7.5 inches wide by 4.5 inches tall (before lining), with a 6-inch wrist strap.
Gauge
14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with worsted weight cotton and a 5mm hook. Gauge is not critical for this project, but keeping your stitches consistent will ensure the bag body is firm enough to hold its shape.
Step 1 — Make the Bag Body (Front Panel)
Chain 28.
Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. (27 sc) Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until your panel measures approximately 4.5 inches from the foundation chain. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Make a second identical panel for the back.
If you want to add texture, switch Row 2 to working in BLO (back loop only). This creates a subtle horizontal ridge that echoes the ribbed wristlets that were so popular in Summer 2022 and gives the cotton yarn a beautifully tactile quality.
Step 2 — Add a Color Stripe (Optional but Encouraged)
To give your wristlet that quintessential Summer ’22 feel, consider adding one or two rows of a contrasting color near the top of each panel. Simply join your contrast color at the beginning of a row, work two rows of sc, then switch back to your main color. A single bold stripe in a complementary hue makes an enormous visual impact for very little extra effort.
Step 3 — Create the Gusset (Optional)
A traditional flat wristlet has no gusset — the two panels are simply sewn or crocheted together. This creates a slim profile that slips easily into a tote bag or sits flat against your body.
If you want a bit more capacity, add a simple gusset. Chain 5 and work in sc for the length of your panel (approximately 27 rows). This creates a narrow side strip that goes between the front and back panels, adding about an inch of depth to the bag. Make two of these strips (one for each side) or a single long strip that runs along the bottom and both sides.
Step 4 — Seam the Panels Together
Lay your front and back panels together with wrong sides facing each other. Using a yarn needle and a length of your main color yarn, whipstitch or mattress stitch along the bottom edge and both side edges, leaving the top open. If you added a gusset, pin it in place before seaming.
Alternatively, join the panels with a crochet seam: holding the two pieces together with wrong sides facing, work a row of sc through both layers along the bottom and sides. This creates a visible ridge on the outside that many makers intentionally use as a design feature.
Step 5 — Attach the Zipper
This step trips up many beginners, but it is genuinely straightforward once you understand the process.
Open the zipper. Lay one side of the zipper tape along the top edge of the front panel, right side down, so that the zipper pull is on the outside. Using a sewing needle and matching thread, whipstitch the zipper tape to the inside top edge of the front panel, stitching through the crochet fabric with small, even stitches. Repeat for the back panel on the other side of the zipper.
For a polished finish, go back along the top edge with a row of sc, working through both the crochet fabric and the zipper tape. This both reinforces the attachment and creates a clean visible border along the top of the bag.
Step 6 — Line the Bag (Optional but Recommended)
Cut two pieces of lining fabric slightly smaller than your crochet panels — about a quarter inch smaller on all sides. With right sides together, sew them along the bottom and sides, leaving the top open and leaving a small turning gap at the bottom.
Press the seams open, then fold down the top edge of the lining by about a half inch and press. Slip the lining inside the bag so that wrong sides are facing, and hand stitch the top folded edge of the lining to the inside of the bag, just below the zipper tape. Small ladder stitches are nearly invisible and give a clean result.
Step 7 — Attach the Wrist Strap
Thread the flat tab of your key fob hardware through the D-ring. Fold the tab in half, creating a loop, and position it at one end of the top edge of the bag. Sew it firmly in place through all layers with strong thread. Give it several passes — this is the part of the bag that takes the most stress, so more stitching is always better.
Attach the swivel clasp to the other end of your wrist chain. Open the D-ring side of the key fob hardware slightly (using pliers if needed) and attach the free end of the wrist chain. Close the ring securely.
If you prefer an all-crochet strap, work a foundation chain of about 30 stitches and work 2 rows of sc for a slim, sturdy strap. Fold it lengthwise and seam the edges together for extra body, then attach it to the bag in the same way.
Customization Ideas
One of the greatest joys of making your own accessories is the freedom to make them entirely your own. Here are some ways to personalize your Summer ’22 wristlet.
Color blocking: Work the lower third of each panel in one color and the upper two-thirds in another. The result is a bold, graphic look that photographs beautifully and stands out in a crowd.
Surface embellishment: After the bag is complete, use embroidery floss or a thin yarn to stitch small flowers, stars, or initials onto the front panel. Surface embroidery on crochet is having a huge moment, and even a few simple stitches add a striking handmade quality.
Fringe: Cut short lengths of contrasting yarn and attach them to the bottom seam of the bag with a lark’s head knot. Trim the fringe to an even length and brush it out slightly for a boho fringe effect.
Beads: String a few wooden or acrylic beads onto the wrist chain or strap before attaching the hardware. This is an effortless way to add color and texture without changing the crochet itself.
Tapestry crochet panel: If you are comfortable with colorwork, work one panel using tapestry crochet to create a small graphic motif — a sun, a wave, a simple checkerboard, or your initials. Keep the float yarns on the inside and the result is a clean, tidy design that looks like it belongs in a boutique shop.
Yarn Recommendations for the Summer ’22 Look
If you want to nail the aesthetic, yarn choice matters as much as stitch choice. Here are some options that work beautifully for this project.
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton is a widely available, affordable mercerized cotton that comes in a broad range of colors and has excellent stitch definition. It is smooth, consistent, and easy to care for — a great choice for a first wristlet.
Paintbox Yarns Simply DK in Cotton is another popular pick. The DK weight produces a slightly lighter, more refined bag, and the color range is genuinely impressive for solid-colored cotton yarn.
For a more textured, artisanal look, a linen-cotton blend adds a beautiful drape and a subtle slub texture. Filatura Di Crosa Denim and Premier Yarns Basix Wool-Free are worth exploring if you want something a little different.
For a bold maximalist take on the Summer ’22 wristlet, consider a speckled or variegated cotton — the kind of yarn that looks like it has been tie-dyed or hand-painted. These yarns create visual interest without any colorwork technique, which makes them ideal for a project you want to make quickly.
Care and Storage
Cotton wristlets are wonderfully easy to care for. Most cotton and cotton-blend yarns are machine washable on a gentle cycle in cold water. Lay the bag flat to dry rather than hanging it, as the weight of the water can distort the shape. If you have lined the bag with fabric, check the care instructions on your lining material as well.
When you are not using your wristlet, store it flat or stuff it gently with a small piece of tissue paper to help it hold its shape. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods, as prolonged UV exposure can fade even the brightest cotton yarns over time.
A Few Notes on the Update
This pattern has been updated from its original Summer 2022 version to address a few things makers flagged along the way. The original zipper attachment method involved hand sewing only, which some makers found tricky. The addition of the reinforcing sc row along the zipper edge in this updated version solves that problem and simultaneously gives the top of the bag a neater finish.
The gusset instructions have also been expanded from a simple note into a proper step, since so many makers asked for a version with a little more interior space. And the lining instructions have been fleshed out with more detail about how to handle the fold-down top edge, which is the step most likely to cause confusion.
Everything else about the design — the proportions, the stitch pattern, the hardware setup — remains the same. This is still the same wristlet that went viral in the summer of 2022, just with clearer instructions and a few extra tips to help you get the best possible result.
Final Thoughts
A crochet wristlet is one of those projects that gives back far more than it asks of you. It takes an evening or two to complete, costs very little in materials, and produces something genuinely useful that you will reach for every single day. It also makes an exceptional gift — customized in the recipient’s favorite colors with a little bit of their personality stitched right in.
The Summer ’22 wristlet trend reminded a lot of us why we fell in love with crochet in the first place. There is something deeply satisfying about turning a skein of yarn into a functional, beautiful object. Whether you are making this for yourself, for a friend, or as part of a small creative business, this updated pattern gives you everything you need to get started. Grab your hook, pick out your favorite summer colors, and make something wonderful.
