"Bag in Japan" - Crochet Japanese Knot Bag

WHAT IS A "JAPANESE KNOT BAG"?

crochet japanese knot bag

A Japanese Knot Bag is a simple, minimalist bag that typycally has one handle longer than the other, so that you can slide the longer handle through the shorter one to create the "knot" closure. 

Japanese Knot Bags are believed to have a long history deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Historically, these bags were made from traditional fabrics, often using kimono fabric scraps or other textiles to make them.

Since Japanese Knot Bags can be made in all kinds of fabrics, why not try crocheting them? This is in fact what I did. You may remember my Tunisian crochet Japanese Knot Bag, made in ombre-yarn using the so-called "Ten-Stitch-technique". I wrote about it in this blog post: https://www.hookloopsarah.com/2018/04/new-pattern-japanese-knot-bag-in.html

NEW CROCHET JAPANESE KNOT BAG - "BAG IN JAPAN"

One of the most successful features of my Tunisian crochet bag, in addition to the fascinating ombre-color yarn, is definitely its spiral construction. Precisely this structure is the basis of my new Japanese Knot Bag "Bag in Japan" created in collaboration with Hobbii Yarns. Indeed, this bag too has a modular spiral construction: we start from the centre, using the darkest colour, gradually crocheting outwards, using lighter yarns each time. For this project I used the Single Crochet stitch only and its easiness makes it the perfect beginner-friendly project; yet its peculiar construction – the “Ten-Stitch” technique - and colour play also makes it a totally fun project for everyone!

crochet japanese knot bag

FREE CROCHET PATTERN!

If you want to try your hand at this easy project, you can find the free pattern HERE. This is a summary of the materials and information needed to complete the project:

MATERIALS

1 skein of Friends Cotton 8/8 color 124 Black
1 skein of Friends Cotton 8/8 color 122 Anthracite

1 skein of Friends Cotton 8/8 color 120 Titanium

2 skein of Friends Cotton 8/8 color 119 Grey

2 skein of Friends Cotton 8/8 color 118 Silver

 Crochet hook 4.5 mm (US 7)

 Stitch Markers

YARN QUALITY

Friends Cotton 8/8, Hobbii: https://hobbii.com/friends-cotton-8-8
100% Cotton
50 g = 75 m

GAUGE

7 cm x 10 cm (2.8” x 4”) = 10 sts x 16 rows 

SIZE

One Size

MEASUREMENTS

Width: 32 cm /

Length:

from short handle 25 cm / 9.8”

from long handle 42 cm / 16.5”

crochet japanese knot bag

FREE VIDEO TUTORIAL

To complete the project and help you further in following the pattern, I have also created a video tutorial on my YouTube Channel Hookloopsarah Crochet that shows the salient (and trickiest) phases of the project. You can find it HERE.

Enjoy!