Ever spotted a bag that stops people mid-stride and thought, “I need that in my life”? This sunset ombre flower crossbody is that bag. Warm mustard centers melt into peachy petals and terracotta edges, all sitting pretty on a sturdy cream body. You get a practical everyday bag that still looks like pure sunshine.
Why This Bag Hits Different
I hunted for months for a crossbody that mixed big dimensional flowers with real daily use. Most flower bags felt too delicate or too flat. This one nails the balance.
Six oversized sunflower-style granny squares form a 3×2 grid on the front. The petals use layered puff stitches so they stand out in 3D. The body stays tight single crochet for a boxy shape that holds its own. Flip it around and the plain cream back gives you a totally different vibe. Two looks, one bag. Smart, right?
Finished size lands around 11 inches wide, 12 inches tall, and 3.5 inches deep. The strap adjusts from 22 to 48 inches, so you wear it crossbody or shorten it for shoulder style. Perfect for market runs or brunch dates.
Skill level sits at intermediate to advanced. You need solid single crochet in the round, granny squares, and puff stitches under your belt. Already made a few independent projects? You can handle this. Time-wise, budget 20 to 30 hours. Those six flower squares take the bulk of the time—about 2 to 3 hours each. Body and finishing add another 8 to 10 hours. Worth every minute once you see the finished piece.
Materials You’ll Actually Need
Grab these before you start. Having everything ready keeps the flow smooth.
Yarn
Main Color (MC): Cream or off-white, about 550 yards of DK weight cotton or cotton blend.
Color A (CA): Mustard yellow, around 60 yards.
Color B (CB): Peachy salmon, about 90 yards.
Color C (CC): Terracotta rust, about 90 yards.
Color D (CD): Sage green, roughly 30 yards.
Cotton or cotton blends work best here. They hold shape under daily weight and fight stretching at the strap points. Acrylic can work too if you prefer easy care.
Good options include Paintbox Yarns Simply DK for sharp stitch definition, Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK for nice sheen and structure, or a rustic wool if you like natural fiber. Just remember wool needs gentle hand washing.
Hooks
US size E-4 (3.5 mm) for the body panels.
US size F-5 (3.75 mm) for the flower squares.
The bigger hook on the flowers lets those petals bloom instead of pulling tight.
Notions
- Tapestry needle
- 6 stitch markers
- One wood or leather-wrapped button, about 1 inch across
- Two swivel lobster claw clasps, antique brass, 1 inch
- Two D-rings or rectangular rings, antique brass, 1 inch
- Two leather or faux-leather strap tabs, pre-punched, about 3 inches long
- One adjustable crossbody strap in tan leather or faux leather, 1 inch wide, up to 48 inches
- Sharp-tip sewing needle and waxed upholstery thread
- Optional: fabric lining and iron-on interfacing
Gauge and Abbreviations
Body gauge (E-4 hook, MC, single crochet flat): 20 stitches x 24 rows = 4 inches x 4 inches.
Flower square gauge (F-5 hook): Each finished flower granny square measures about 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches before seaming.
Always swatch. Too big? Drop a hook size. Too small? Go up one.
Abbreviations stay standard:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
ps: puff stitch
sp: space
st(s): stitch(es)
rep: repeat
beg: beginning
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
sk: skip
pm: place marker
yo: yarn over
rnd: round
sc2tog: single crochet two together
Special Stitches You’ll Use
Puff Stitch (ps)
This one makes the raised petals. Keep tension relaxed and loops tall so they stand out.
- Yarn over, insert hook into the indicated stitch or space.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop to about 0.5 inch height. You now have 3 loops on the hook.
- Yarn over, insert hook into the SAME stitch or space again.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop to the same height. Now 5 loops.
- Yarn over, insert hook into the SAME stitch or space a third time.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop to the same height. Now 7 loops.
- Yarn over, draw through all 7 loops. One loop remains.
- Ch 1 to close and secure the puff. This closing chain does NOT count as a stitch.
Practice on a swatch first. Trust me on this.
Standing Single Crochet
Handy for joining new colors mid-motif without a slip stitch join:
- Make a slip knot with the new color and place it on the hook.
- Insert hook into the indicated stitch.
- Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, draw through both loops.
Flat Slip Stitch Seam
For joining granny squares:
- Hold two pieces with right sides together.
- Working through both layers at once, insert hook through the back loops of both pieces.
- Slip stitch across. Fasten off.
Pattern Notes Before You Dive In
The bag body works in joined rounds of single crochet for dense, structured fabric. Join each round with a slip stitch, then chain 1. That chain 1 does NOT count as a stitch.
All six flower granny squares get worked separately, joined into a 3×2 grid, then seamed onto the bag front.
Front and back panels form as one piece in the round from the base. No side seams to sew. Use stitch markers for the four corner stitches of the base and the start of each wall round. They save headaches.
Section 1: Bag Base
The base is a flat rectangle worked in rows of single crochet.
Using MC and E-4 hook, ch 57.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (56 sc)
Rows 2-17: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (56 sc)
Do not turn after Row 17. Do not fasten off.
Checkpoint: The base should measure about 11 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall.
Section 2: Bag Walls (Worked in the Round)
Now work around all four edges of the base rectangle.
Setup Round: Working along the right edge of the base rectangle, sc evenly down the row ends: sc in each of the 17 row-end edges. Place marker A. Then sc in each of the 56 foundation chain stitches along the bottom edge. Place marker B. Then sc evenly up the left edge: sc in each of the 17 row-end edges. Place marker C. Then sc in each of the 56 sts across the top of the last row. Place marker D. At each of the four corners, work 2 sc into the corner junction. Join with sl st to first sc. (150 sc)
Rounds 1-3: Ch 1. Sc in each st around, working 2 sc in each of the 4 marked corner stitches. Join with sl st to first sc. (Round 1: 154 sc, Round 2: 158 sc, Round 3: 162 sc)
Rounds 4-58: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (162 sc each round)
Checkpoint: After Round 58, the walls should measure about 10 inches tall from the base.
Section 3: Top Edge and Handle Attachment
Top Edge Round 1: Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st. (162 sc)
Top Edge Round 2: Sl st in each st around. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Weave in end.
Handle Loop
Using MC and E-4 hook, ch 21. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (20 sl sts) Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch tail.
Fold the cord in half to form a loop. Position the folded midpoint at the center top of the bag front panel. Using the tail ends, sew through the base of the loop and through the top edge of the bag about 5 times in each direction to secure.
Button Closure
Sew the wood button through both layers of the handle loop base and through the top edge of the bag. On the inside, sew a small reinforcing square of waxed thread so the button shank does not pull through.
Section 4: Flower Granny Squares (Make 6)
Each square works from the center outward using the F-5 hook.
Layer 1: Flower Center (CA, Mustard Yellow)
Make a magic ring.
Round 1: With CA, ch 1. Work 8 sc into the ring. Pull ring closed. Join with sl st to first sc. (8 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. (16 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1. [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] 8 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (24 sc)
Do not fasten off.
Layer 2: Inner Petals (CA and CB)
Round 4 (inner petals, CA): Ch 1. Working in the FRONT LOOPS ONLY of Round 3: [ps in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st] 12 times. Join with sl st to first ps. (12 puff stitches, 12 ch-1 spaces)
Join CB with a standing sc in any back loop of Round 3 that was skipped.
Round 5 (behind inner petals, CB): Working in the BACK LOOPS of Round 3 stitches that were skipped: [2 sc in back loop of skipped st] 12 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (24 sc)
Layer 3: Mid Petals (CB, Peachy Salmon)
Round 6 (mid petals, CB): Ch 1. Working in the FRONT LOOPS of Round 5: [ps in next st, ch 2, sk 1 st] 12 times. Join with sl st to first ps. (12 puff stitches, 12 ch-2 spaces)
Join CC with a standing sc in any back loop of Round 5 that was skipped.
Round 7 (behind mid petals, CC): Working in the BACK LOOPS of the skipped sts of Round 5: [2 sc in back loop of skipped st] 12 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (24 sc)
Layer 4: Outer Petals (CC, Terracotta Rust)
Round 8 (outer petals, CC): Ch 1. Working in FRONT LOOPS of Round 7: [ps in next st, ch 3, sk 1 st] 12 times. Join with sl st to first ps. (12 puff stitches, 12 ch-3 spaces) Fasten off CC.
Layer 5: Granny Square Surround (MC with CD Corners)
Round 9 (MC): Join MC with standing sc in any skipped back loop of Round 7. Working in BACK LOOPS of skipped sts: 2 sc in each of the 12 skipped sts. Join with sl st. (24 sc)
Round 10 (MC): Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc in same st. [Dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st] 7 times. Dc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. (32 dc)
Round 11 (CD and MC, granny square shaping): Switch to CD. Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Sk 1 st. [Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st] 3 times. At corner position: [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] into next st. Ch 1. Sk 1 st. [Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st] 3 times. Rep [corner, side dc/ch1 pattern] 3 more times to complete all four sides and corners. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch-4. Fasten off CD.
Round 12 (MC, final granny round): Join MC with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 3 (counts as first dc). [Dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in same corner sp. [Ch 1, work 2 dc in next ch-1 sp] 4 times across side. Ch 1. [2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in corner ch-2 sp. Rep for remaining 3 sides. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off MC leaving a 12-inch tail for seaming.
Completed square measures approximately 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches.
Make 6 squares total. Block all squares before joining.
Section 5: Joining the Flower Panel
Arrange the 6 squares in a 3-column by 2-row grid, all oriented the same direction.
Row 1: Join Square 1 to Square 2 using the flat slip stitch seam method. Then join Square 2 to Square 3.
Row 2: Join Square 4 to Square 5, then Square 5 to Square 6.
Join Row 1 to Row 2 along the shared horizontal edge. The completed panel measures about 10.5 inches wide by 7 inches tall.
Section 6: Attaching the Flower Panel to the Bag
Center the joined flower panel on the front face, placing it about 1.5 inches up from the base of the bag. The panel should sit horizontally centered with about 0.75 inches of cream body visible on each side.
Using MC and a tapestry needle, whipstitch around all four edges of the flower panel, sewing through the outermost chain spaces of the granny border and catching the single crochet stitches of the bag front with each stitch.
Section 7: Strap Hardware Attachment
Position one leather tab on each side of the bag at the top corner of the side panels, centered on the side width and about 0.5 inches below the top edge. The tab loops around the D-ring.
Using a sharp-tip sewing needle and waxed upholstery thread, hand-sew through the pre-punched rivet holes of each leather tab and through the crochet fabric, catching at least 3 to 4 layers of the dense single crochet wall.
Thread the lobster claw clasps through the D-rings on each tab. Attach the adjustable crossbody strap to both clasps.
Finishing and Blocking
Wet blocking makes a real difference. Soak the completed bag in cool water with a drop of wool wash for 20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing. Roll in a towel to remove moisture.
Use a bag insert or crumpled tissue paper to stuff the bag to its finished dimensions. Pin the base corners square. Allow to dry completely for 24 to 48 hours before attaching hardware.
Weave in all yarn ends securely, working the tail in two opposite directions for at least 1 inch each way.
Care Instructions
For cotton: Hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent. Reshape and stuff while damp. Air dry flat.
For wool: Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Do not agitate. Air dry flat.
For acrylic: Machine wash on gentle cycle in a mesh bag, cold water. Lay flat to dry.
Wipe the leather hardware with a damp cloth only. Condition it now and then. Store the bag stuffed with tissue paper to keep its shape.
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- Berry Patch Granny Tote Bag Free Crochet Pattern
Wrapping It Up
This Sunset Ombre Flower Crossbody Bag feels like a real win when you finish it. Those puff stitch petals take patience, sure. But once you wear it out, people will ask where you bought it. You get to smile and say you made it yourself.
Follow the steps one by one. Practice the puff stitch on a scrap first if it feels new. And please do the blocking—it transforms the look. Happy crocheting from the Sumara Patterns crew. Can’t wait to see your finished bags!
