Easy Crochet Boho Wristlet
warm weather is here and market season is upon us!
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It’s a bestseller
This little wristlet is one of my all time best selling bags at markets in the warmer months, and I think you’re gonna love it!
It’s versatile
I was inspired by a macrame bag I saw on Pinterest for this bag, and I tried to recreate the look using crochet stitches. I dubbed it the “Macrochet Motif Topper”, because you could realistically use this like you would a lace embellishment.
it’s easily adjustable
All you need to do is follow the math I give you, and you could easily adapt this topper to place around a wicker basket, a planter pot, around the top of a throw pillow, or even add it to your clothing as detail around the sleeves, neckline or waist!
It gives all the boho vibes!
I have even modified this pattern to slide onto a vase to give a plain vase some pizazz! It is quite a bit different, however, so I did have to write a separate pattern for this project. You can find the pattern in both Etsy and Ravelry if you’re interested.
crochet it in a flash!
My favorite way to use this topper is to hot glue it to the top of a pre-made zipper canvas bag. It gives it a boho vibe without tons of time and work and looks super cute to boot! I usually add a wristlet strap to the side, but I have also added a long purse strap and turned it into a cross body bag. You could also realistically use it like a clutch. It’s such a versatile project, so think outside the box!
let’s make it!
supplies needed
Size G 4.25 mm hook
90-100 yds worsted weight yarn (I prefer to use cotton or cotton blends, but you can certainly use acrylic)
Plain canvas zipper pouch, size 9" x 6"
Lobster swivel clasp (for wristlet attachment)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
4" piece of cardboard (for fringe)
Scissors, tape measure, yarn needle
terms used & abbreviations
Pattern is written in US terminology.
Back Loop Only - BLO
Chain(s) - ch(s)
Double Crochet - dc
Repeat - rep
Single Crochet - sc
Skip - sk
Slip stitch - sl st
Space(es) - sp(s)
Stitch(es) - st(s)
Together - tog
* - Repeat directions given from *
[ ] - Indicates the number of stitches you should have
( ) - Indicates a note
{ } - Work stitches within { } in the same stitch or space
pattern notes
The pattern is easily adjustable in multiples of 11; however, you will want to try and get the same number of points on each side of your bag. For example, my st count is 66 for the canvas bag and I have 3 points on each side. If you improvise, you will technically want to do so in multiples of 22 (unless you are using it for something round, like a basket).
My topper fits extremely snug onto my canvas bag. You will be gluing it to the bag, so you definitely don’t want to make it too big or it will bunch up/ruffle.
Even though I do not give a gauge for this pattern, the rule of thumb is to make your ch of 66 and make the ring, and then slide it onto the top of the bag to see if it fits snugly. I would try it on for size every couple of rounds just to make sure so you can adjust your hook size and start over if it isn’t fitting properly.
The first st of every round is the same st as joining unless otherwise specified.
Beginning chs do not count as a st throughout unless otherwise specified.
gauge
Gauge is not imperative for this pattern since I will be using st multiples and giving you the math to adjust the size of the cover accordingly; however, if you are trying to make the small canvas bag topper, I do recommend adjusting your hook size until you are able to reach my st counts. See pattern notes.
finished measurements
Topper measures approx. 18" in circumference and 4" in length, not including the fringe when made as written for the canvas bag.
I have included a full YouTube video tutorial to help with the most difficult portions of this pattern:
instructions
Topper is made in the round from the top down, adding a round of detail at the top after completing the body of the topper. Then you will hot glue the topper to the top of the canvas bag in a specific manner, adding the fringe last.
Ch 66, being careful not to twist your ch sl st in the BLO of first st to create a ring. (NOTE: You can use foundation sc here to replace the foundation ch and round 1.)
Round 1: Ch 1, sc BLO in each st around. Join with a sl st in first sc. [66 sc]
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, * ch 5, sk next 4 sts, sc, ch 9, sl st in 6th ch from hook to create a ring, ch 3, sk next 5 sts, sc; rep from * around, omitting the last sc and joining with a sl st in the first sc. [12 sc, 6 ch-5 sps, 6 ch-6 sps]
Round 3: Sl st into next ch sp, ch 1, * 2 sc in ch-5 sp, ch 1, sk ch-3 sp, {4 dc, ch 3, 4 dc} complete brackets in ch-6 sp, ch 1, sk ch-3 sp; rep from * around. Join with a sl st in first sc. [12 sc, 12 ch-1 sps, 6 ch-3 sps, 48 dc]
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in next st, ch 1, dc in next 4 dc, {2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc} complete brackets in next ch-3 sp, dc in next 4 dc, ch 1, * sc2tog over next 2 sc, ch 1, dc in next 4 dc, {2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc} complete brackets in ch-3 sp, dc in next 4 dc, ch 1; rep from * around. Join with a sl st in first sc. [6 sc, 12 ch-1 sps, 6 ch-3 sps, 72 dc]
Round 5: Sl st until you reach next dc, ch 1, * sc in next 6 dc, {2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc} complete brackets in ch-3 sp, sc in next 6 dc; rep from * around. Join with a sl st in first sc. Fasten off and weave in tails. [96 sc, 6 ch-3 sps]
Top detail
Round 6: Join with a sl st in top of piece in any foundation st. * Ch 3, sl st in next 2 sts; rep from * to end. Try to make it so your ch 3 loops are close enough together to not have a noticeable gap at the end. Fasten off and weave in tails. [You should have around 33 ch-3 loops]
(NOTE: You will also be adding a small amount of glue to each point AFTER you add your fringe, so you are not finished with the glue gun.)
Add fringe
Using a piece of cardboard 4" wide wrap yarn 14 times per point. Since I have 6 points I wrapped mine 84 times. Cut bottoms to create fringe. (NOTE: The bag actually looks a bit better if you use double strands for the fringe, but it will eat up quite a bit more yarn so it’s up to you if you wish to double up your strands or not. If you are making it into a cross body purse or adding it to a bag that is larger in size, then I would definitely double your strands and leave a longer length of fringe hanging over the end of the bag.)
Using the Larks knot, add fringe to each point, going up 6 sts from the ch-3 of each point and adding a doubled fringe in each ch-3 sp of the points. I recommend ironing your fringe with a flat iron (for your hair) on a low setting prior to trimming.
Using the hot glue gun, glue the tips of each point of the motifs to the bag to help keep the fringe from getting tangled. Trim fringe to level of pouch bottom, or to desired length.
Make wristlet strap
Leaving a tail of 48" in length, make a crochet i- cord of 56 sts following the tutorial below:
Your project is complete! I would love to see your finished work! If you want to tag me on IG, I’m @dayscrochetnc. You could also use the hashtag #macrochetmotiftopper to follow what others are making. I can’t wait to see your projects! If you would like to see other versions that I will be making after this publication, be sure to check me out on IG!
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what did you think of this project? let me know in the comments!
Happy hooking,
~Dana