Sunwheel Crossbody Bag: Free crochet pattern

This circular crossbody bag is worked in three warm tones — golden yellow, warm taupe, and natural cream — spiralling outward from a tiny magic ring into a bold 8-inch disc. Two matching circles are joined with a single-crochet seam, finished with a slim zipper, and hung from a long braided-look strap that sits perfectly on the shoulder.

The stitch pattern is beautifully simple: single crochet in the back loop only, worked in a continuous spiral, builds up crisp horizontal ridges that make each colour band pop and give the fabric a pleasing woven firmness. Confident beginners will find the flat-circle increase formula satisfying to memorise; intermediate makers will enjoy the clean joining seam and zipper insertion.

No lining is required — the dense cotton fabric is sturdy on its own — but the pattern notes offer tips for adding one. This is the kind of bag that gets compliments on the street and joy every time you open your wardrobe.

What you need

• Color A – Golden Yellow: worsted-weight cotton, approx 210 yds (192 m); e.g. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Goldenrod, 2 skeins
• Color B – Warm Taupe: worsted-weight cotton, approx 110 yds (101 m); e.g. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Cafe au Lait, 1 skein
• Color C – Natural Cream: worsted-weight cotton, approx 80 yds (73 m); e.g. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton in Ecru, 1 skein
• 4.5 mm (US 7) crochet hook
• 2 locking stitch markers
• 9-inch (23 cm) zipper in natural or gold
• Sharp-eye yarn needle
• Matching sewing thread and hand-sewing needle for zipper

Gauge

18 sc = 4 inches (10 cm) in back-loop-only single crochet, worked in the round, blocked. Gauge affects finished diameter — swatch before starting the body.

Abbreviations

• sc — single crochet
• inc — 2 sc in the same stitch
• sc blo — single crochet in the back loop only
• ch — chain
• sk — skip the next stitch
• tr — treble crochet
• dc — double crochet

Pattern notes

• Both bag sides are worked as a continuous spiral; do not join or chain at the end of each round. Move a stitch marker up each round to mark the last stitch.
• Back-loop-only (sc_blo) begins at Round 3 and continues through Round 14. Rounds 1–2 and the border round are worked through both loops.
• Colour changes: carry the new colour up by joining it with the first stitch of the new round; weave in ends as you go to reduce finishing time.
• The strap is worked flat in four rows. Two rows of sc_blo create a subtle ridge that mimics the bag body texture.
• Leave exactly 14 stitches unworked at the top of the joining seam to create a 3-inch (7.5 cm) zipper opening.

1. Bag Side — make 2

Work both circles identically. Keep a marker in the last stitch of each round and move it up as you go; the spiral never closes with a slip stitch.

• Round 1: 8 sc in a magic ring [8] — Color A. Work through both loops.
• Round 2: inc × 8 [16] — Color A. Work through both loops.
• Round 3: (sc blo, inc) × 8 [24] — Join Color B. Work sc_blo throughout from here through Rnd 14.
• Round 4: (2 sc blo, inc) × 8 [32] — Color B.
• Round 5: (3 sc blo, inc) × 8 [40] — Join Color C.
• Round 6: (4 sc blo, inc) × 8 [48] — Color C.
• Round 7: (5 sc blo, inc) × 8 [56] — Join Color A.
• Round 8: (6 sc blo, inc) × 8 [64] — Color A.
• Round 9: (7 sc blo, inc) × 8 [72] — Join Color B.
• Round 10: (8 sc blo, inc) × 8 [80] — Color B.
• Round 11: (9 sc blo, inc) × 8 [88] — Join Color C.
• Round 12: (10 sc blo, inc) × 8 [96] — Color C.
• Round 13: (11 sc blo, inc) × 8 [104] — Join Color A.
• Round 14: (12 sc blo, inc) × 8 [112] — Color A. Last increase round.
• Round 15: sc in each stitch around [112] — Join Color B. Work through both loops for this border round. Slip stitch to close, then fasten off.

1. Fasten off and weave in all ends. Block both circles flat to 8 inches (20 cm) diameter and allow to dry completely before assembly.

2. Strap

The strap is worked flat in four rows for a firm, structured band. Color A carries the full length; a single row of Color B adds a central ridge stripe.

• Row 1: 225 ch [225] — Color A. Foundation chain only.
• Row 2: sk, 224 sc [224] — Color A. This is the first working row into the foundation chain.
• Row 3: sc blo in each stitch across [224] — Join Color B.
• Row 4: sc blo in each stitch across [224] — Join Color A.
• Row 5: sc in each stitch across [224] — Color A. Work through both loops for a clean final edge.

1. Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30 cm) tail at each end for sewing. Block the strap flat.

3. WithMe signature heart

The same little heart sits on every WithMe original — our way of signing it with love. Use any contrast colour from the project.

• Round 1: 3 tr, 3 dc, ch, tr, ch, 3 dc, 3 tr in a magic ring [15] — Ch 3 first (it doesn't count as a stitch). After the last stitch, ch 3 and sl st into the ring, then pull the ring tight — the dip at the top of the heart forms as you pull.

1. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing the heart in place.

Finishing

1. Block both bag circles and the strap if not already done. Allow to dry fully.
2. Hold both circles together with wrong sides facing and edges aligned. Starting at the centre top of the circle, attach Color B to the back-loop edge of the border round of both layers simultaneously.
3. Work sc through both layers together around the full circumference, stopping when 14 stitches remain before your starting point. Do not close these 14 stitches — this gap forms the zipper opening. Fasten off.
4. Fold the zipper tape ends under so the zipper teeth span the 14-stitch opening exactly (roughly 3 inches / 7.5 cm). Pin in place. Using matching thread and a hand-sewing needle, whip-stitch the zipper tape securely to the inner edges of the opening on both layers. Test the zipper open and closed before knotting off.
5. Fold the last 1.5 inches (4 cm) of each strap end back on itself and sew flat to form a sturdy loop. Attach one loop to the left top edge of the bag and one loop to the right top edge, stitching through all layers several times. The strap should hang with the taupe ridge stripe facing outward.
6. Sew the WithMe signature heart onto the lower-right area of the front bag face, centred on a natural cream band, using a yarn needle and a short length of Color A.
7. Weave in any remaining ends. Lightly steam the joins if the seam feels stiff.

Tips from the WithMe studio

• Use a split-ring stitch marker rather than a coil type — it's easier to move up each spiral round without accidentally catching the yarn.
• When joining Color B at Round 3, leave a 6-inch tail and crochet over it for the first several stitches to lock it in without a knot.
• If your circle is cupping (forming a bowl shape), your tension is too tight — try going up half a hook size. If it is ruffling, tension is too loose — try the next size down.
• For a zipper that sits perfectly flat, baste it in by hand first, close the zip, then sew permanently. This prevents the teeth from twisting.
• A lightweight iron-on interfacing ironed to a fabric lining panel cut to the circle shape and slip-stitched inside gives the bag extra body if you carry heavy items.

Share your make with #withmelove — we would love to see it.