Looking for a crochet project that combines timeless style with eye-catching design? This Crochet African Flower Bag pattern transforms 13 gorgeous 8-petal African flower granny squares into a practical and beautiful accessory that’s perfect for everyday use. With its rounded bottom, spacious interior, and endless color possibilities, this floral tote showcases your crochet skills while creating a functional bag you’ll love to carry.
What Makes This Crochet African Flower Bag Special
I’ve designed this African flower tote using my favorite granny square configuration—the same layout that made my crochet emoji bag and lemon bag patterns so popular. What I love most about this design is the perfect balance it achieves: the bag is roomy and practical while featuring a gently curved bottom that adds visual interest and prevents items from getting lost in sharp corners.
Drawing inspiration from classic Delft Blue Pottery, I chose three complementary shades of blue paired with crisp white for this project. The result is a sophisticated color palette that highlights the intricate 8-petal African flower motif. Of course, you’re free to choose any color combination that speaks to you—that’s the beauty of the African flower crochet pattern!
The African flower granny square is incredibly versatile, offering endless opportunities for color play and texture. Each 8-petal flower creates a beautiful, symmetrical effect, resulting in a sturdy, stylish bag that’s built to last. Whether you’re heading to the market, the beach, or just out for the day, this crochet African flower bag makes the perfect companion.
Things To Note Before You Begin
Square Size: Consistency is key when making your 8-petal African flower crochet squares. Each square should be the same size to ensure even stitching during assembly. Maintaining tight, even tension will give you cleaner edges and a more professional-looking finished bag.
Customizing Dimensions: If you prefer a larger or smaller bag, you can easily adjust the size by adding or reducing the number of rounds after creating the initial flower. Alternatively, you can use thinner yarn with a smaller hook for a more delicate bag, or bulkier yarn with a larger hook for a more substantial tote.
Strap Options: Feel free to customize the strap length or width according to your preference. Some crocheters prefer a longer crossbody strap for hands-free carrying, while others might opt for shorter handles that slip comfortably over the shoulder.
Materials Needed
- Red Heart Yarn in Light Blue
- Red Heart Yarn in Delft Blue
- Red Heart Yarn in Soft Navy
- Red Heart Yarn in White
- 5mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
- Stitch markers (optional but helpful)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Chains (ch)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Long single crochet (long sc)
- Double crochet (dc)
- Half double crochet (hdc)
- Triple crochet (tr)
- Slip stitch (sl st)
Creative Variations for Your African Flower Bag
The beauty of this pattern lies in its adaptability. Here are some ways to make your crochet African flower bag uniquely yours:
Color Combinations: While I chose a blue and white palette inspired by Delft pottery, don’t feel limited by this choice. Consider these alternatives:
- Vibrant rainbow colors for a playful, bohemian look
- Monochromatic shades of a single color for subtle elegance
- Seasonal palettes like autumn oranges and browns or spring pastels
- Ombré effect across the squares for a gradient appearance
Size Adjustments: Create a bag that perfectly suits your needs:
- Make a mini version with fewer squares for a charming evening bag
- Increase the number of squares for a larger tote that can hold more
- Adjust square size via hook size and yarn weight for subtle sizing changes
Added Features: Enhance your bag with functional or decorative elements:
- Add a fabric lining for extra durability and a professional finish
- Include an inner pocket for small items like keys or phone
- Attach decorative buttons, beads, or tassels for additional personality
- Consider adding a zipper closure for security
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crochet African Flower Bag Pattern
This pattern works up in several stages: first creating the individual African flower squares, then joining them, and finally adding the finishing touches like handles and edging.
Creating the 8-Petal African Flower Granny Squares (Make 13)
Round 1: With color A (Light Blue), ch 5 and join with a sl st to form a closed circle. Ch 3 (counts as a dc), dc, ch 1 into the magic ring. Dc 2, ch 1 and then repeat 6 more times. Join with a sl st to top of the beginning ch 3 and fasten off (16 dc + 8 ch spaces).
Round 2: Join color B (Delft Blue) to any ch 1 space. Ch 3 and dc, ch 1, dc 2 in the same ch 1 space from the round below. Then dc 2, ch 1, and dc 2 into the next ch 1 space. Repeat around and make a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 3 (32 dc + 8 ch spaces).
Round 3: Sl st into the next stitch. Then sl st into the ch 1 space. Ch 3 and dc 4 into the ch 1 space. Then in the next ch 1 space dc 5, repeat for the rest of the round (8 shells). Next, fasten off the yarn.
Round 4: Join color C (Soft Navy) into any flower petal top. Make a sc into every stitch you made in the last round, but make a long sc in between petals.
A long sc is made by going down an extra row and then pulling up the yarn to be even with your current round and making a sc like normal. You want to pull the yarn up to your current round so that your flower doesn’t curl and lays flat better. After completing the round, then make a sl st to the first sc (5 sc on top of each petal + a long sc in between petals). Then fasten off the yarn.
Round 5: Join the white yarn to the top of any long sc from round 4. Make a sc into the same stitch, then sc into the next 2 stitches. Hdc, dc, and then dc again in the following stitches. Tr, ch 2, tr in the next stitch, this is your first corner and should be made into one of the long sc stitches from round 4. Dc in the next 2 stitches, hdc, 1 sc in the next 5 stitches, hdc, dc in the next 2 stitches. Then make a corner: tr, ch 2, tr. Repeat * 2 more times.
Dc in the next 2 stitches, hdc, and 1 sc in the final 2 stitches. Then join with a sl st to the 1st sc.
Round 6: Ch 2, then dc in the next stitch and the following stitches until you reach a corner. When you get to the chain space in the corner make a dc 2 + ch 2 + dc 2. Then continue making dc stitches into the next side of the square. Repeat 3 more times for the rest of the round. Then sl st to the first dc in the round. Finally, fasten off the yarn.
Assembling the Crochet African Flower Bag
Once you’ve completed all 13 African flower granny squares, it’s time to assemble your bag:
- Arrange the Squares: Lay out your squares in the pattern shown in the reference photo—in a cross-like shape that will fold into a bag.
- Join the Squares: Using the Soft Navy yarn, join squares with slip stitches following these steps:
- Place two squares side by side with wrong sides facing each other (right sides facing outward)
- Insert your hook through the first stitch on the edge of the first square
- Then insert your hook through the corresponding stitch on the second square
- Yarn over and pull through both loops (you should have 2 loops on your hook)
- Complete the slip stitch as normal
- Continue along the entire edge, maintaining even tension
- Form the Bag: Once all squares are joined horizontally and vertically as shown in the diagram, fold the piece in half by bringing the bottom half up to the top. Fold the jutting squares from the sides inward and slip stitch them to the main body to form the sides of the bag.
- Check the Shape: After completing all seams, the top of your bag should have an M-shaped outline. This is the correct formation before adding the handles.
Creating the Bag Handles and Finishing Touches
Round 1: Rejoin the navy yarn to the top edge of the bag, preferably at one of the dips on the side to hide any seams. Single crochet around the entire top edge, with these special considerations:
- When you reach the top of a square, make 3 sc in the very top stitch
- Where squares meet at a dip, crochet the 3 most bottom stitches together as a decrease
- Continue this pattern all the way around the top edge
Round 2: Repeat the above process once more, but when you reach the first peak of the bag, ch 80-100 (depending on your desired handle length). Rejoin this chain to the other peak on the same side of the bag. Continue single crocheting around the edge, and repeat the handle creation on the opposite side. Ensure you use the same number of chains for both handles.
Rounds 3-6: Sc around the entire outer edge, including the chains that form the handles. This adds stability to the bag and creates wider, more comfortable handles.
When the final round is complete, fasten off the yarn and weave in all ends.
Finishing Step: Check for any small holes where the granny squares meet. Use extra navy yarn and a tapestry needle to close these gaps for a neater, more polished finish.
Expert Tips for a Perfect African Flower Bag
Consistent Tension: The key to professional-looking African flower motifs is maintaining even tension throughout. This ensures your squares are uniform in size and shape, creating a balanced, symmetrical bag.
Perfect Petals: When working the 8-petal pattern, take care to space each petal evenly. Using stitch markers to mark each ch-1 space in the first round can help maintain perfect symmetry.
Strategic Color Placement: Consider planning your color arrangement before starting. You might want to create a specific pattern or gradient effect across the bag, which requires thoughtful color placement in each square.
Seamless Joining: The slip stitch join creates a nearly invisible seam that highlights your African flower motifs rather than the construction. Work these joins loosely enough to maintain flexibility but tightly enough to prevent gaps.
Blocking Before Assembly: For the most professional results, lightly block each square before joining. This step ensures all squares are exactly the same size and have crisp, defined edges that line up perfectly.
Reinforced Handles: If you plan to carry heavier items in your bag, consider reinforcing the handles with a strand of thin cord worked together with your yarn. This invisible support adds significant strength.
Common Questions About the African Flower Bag Pattern
What yarn works best for the Crochet African Flower Bag?
While I used Red Heart acrylic yarn for durability and color retention, any medium weight (worsted/category 4) yarn works well for this pattern. If you prefer natural fibers, cotton offers excellent stitch definition that showcases the African flower motif beautifully, while wool or wool blends provide natural elasticity and strength. For a more luxurious bag, consider cotton-bamboo blends which offer drape and subtle sheen.
Can I use different colors for the flowers?
Absolutely! The African flower pattern is incredibly versatile and lends itself to endless color combinations. You can create a completely different look by:
- Using a different color for each round of every flower
- Creating flowers with the same center but different petal colors
- Alternating between light and dark flowers for contrast
- Creating an ombré effect where colors gradually shift across the bag
Just be sure to maintain some consistency in your color scheme to create a cohesive design.
Should I line my African Flower Bag?
While lining is optional, it offers several benefits:
- Prevents stretching and helps the bag maintain its shape
- Stops small items from poking through the crochet stitches
- Adds a professional finish and protects your crochet work
- Creates an opportunity to add interior pockets
For lining, choose a medium-weight cotton fabric that complements your yarn colors. Cut fabric pieces to match the size of each side of your assembled bag, plus a half-inch seam allowance. Sew the pieces together, fold over and hem the top edge, then whipstitch the lining to the inside of your bag around the top edge.
Why You’ll Love Making the Crochet African Flower Bag
There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a project that’s both beautiful and functional. This African flower bag combines the meditative pleasure of creating granny squares with the practical reward of a finished accessory you’ll use again and again.
The pattern is accessible enough for intermediate crocheters while offering enough interest to keep experienced crafters engaged. The modular nature of the design—making individual squares before joining—makes this perfect for on-the-go crocheting. Create squares during your commute, while watching TV, or in waiting rooms, then assemble them once you have all thirteen.
Perhaps most rewarding is the way this bag showcases the beautiful African flower motif—a classic crochet pattern that has endured because of its perfect balance of complexity and accessibility. Each square becomes a miniature work of art, and together they create a stunning accessory that’s sure to draw compliments wherever you go.
Whether you’re making this bag for yourself or as a thoughtful handmade gift, the Crochet African Flower Bag is sure to become a cherished addition to your collection of handmade accessories.
More Floral Crochet Patterns to Try
If you enjoyed making this African Flower Bag, you might also love these flower-inspired crochet patterns:
- Crochet Flower Keychain Pattern – A quick project perfect for using up leftover yarn
- Crochet Sunflower Pillow Pattern – Brighten any room with this cheerful home decor
- Crochet Flower Coaster Pattern with 6 Petals – Functional decor with floral charm
- Crochet Tulip Coaster Pattern – Springtime vibes all year round
- Crochet Tulip Bag Pattern – Another floral bag to add to your collection
- Crochet Sunflower Bag Pattern – Bold and cheerful accessory
Each pattern offers a unique way to incorporate beautiful floral elements into your crochet projects, building on the skills you’ve developed making the African Flower Bag.
Happy crocheting, and don’t forget to share your finished African Flower Bag creations! I’d love to see your color combinations and personal touches.
