Crochet Net Shoulder Bag: A Breezy Summer Essential

I am so excited to share this Crochet Net Shoulder Bag tutorial with you, because the moment I saw the finished piece I immediately wanted to cast on my own. The open-grid structure is airy yet structured in a way that feels both polished and utterly free, like something you would pull off a hook in a sun-filled studio and sling over your shoulder without a second thought.

The Net Shoulder Bag

This Crochet Net Shoulder Bag is the kind of accessory that earns quiet compliments at a farmers market or a seaside afternoon, where the light catches each little opening in the mesh and turns ordinary cotton into something worth lingering over. It is designed for anyone who loves the feel of something handmade against their arm, something that breathes and moves and holds its shape without being fussy about it. The silhouette is clean and rectangular, measuring a generous 26 by 31.50 centimetres, which means it slips a paperback, a small wallet, and a gathered bunch of fresh herbs inside without any argument. Whether you are a confident beginner or someone who crochets regularly on Sunday mornings, this bag sits right at the sweet spot of satisfying and achievable.

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In soft ivory or natural ecru, the Crochet Net Shoulder Bag has that slow-fashion warmth that pairs effortlessly with linen trousers, a flowy sundress, or even a crisp white shirt tucked into wide-leg denim. If you want to play with color, think sage green, dusty terracotta, or a washed sky blue, each of which would give the same mesh pattern an entirely different mood. The long shoulder straps seen in the reference images make it equally at home as a beach bag, a library tote, or a weekend market companion.

Materials and Tools

For this project, you will want a smooth DK weight cotton yarn, which gives the net structure its crisp definition while keeping the finished bag lightweight and washable through warm seasons. The hook shown in the tutorial is a 3.00mm Tulip hook, which is visible in the reference images and produces that tight, even tension that stops the bag from sagging under the weight of its contents. Cotton mercerized yarn is particularly lovely here because it has a gentle sheen and holds its shape after blocking, which matters a great deal for a structured bag like this one. A tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a stitch marker or two to track your rounds are all you need beyond the hook and yarn.

Stitch by Stitch

The Crochet Net Shoulder Bag is built on a small, repeating vocabulary of stitches that you will find yourself falling into quite naturally after the first few rows.

BULLET:CH (Chain) The foundation chain sets the width of the bag and also creates the spacing gaps that form the open net pattern throughout.

BULLET:SC (Single Crochet) Used along the edges and for the shoulder strap construction, SC creates the dense, tidy borders that frame the airy body of the bag.

BULLET:DC (Double Crochet) The primary stitch of the main body, DC gives the mesh its height and allows each row to build quickly with satisfying visual progress.

BULLET:CH-1 Space (Chain-One Space) Worked between double crochets, the CH-1 space is the small breath of air that creates the open grid defining the net aesthetic of this bag.

Once you settle into the alternating rhythm of DC and CH-1, the work becomes almost meditative, your hands moving with quiet confidence through each row while the bag grows steadily beneath your fingers.

Construction

The bag is worked flat in two rectangular panels that are then joined at the sides and bottom, giving you a clean seam and a structured base that sits upright when filled. The long shoulder straps are crocheted separately as narrow chains of SC and then attached at the upper edges, which is the technique you can see being demonstrated in the close-up reference image. Because each panel is just a repeat of the same DC and CH-1 grid, beginners will find the process remarkably approachable once the foundation chain is set. If you want a slightly roomier bag, you can simply add extra chain repeats to the starting row and adjust the height accordingly, making this Crochet Net Shoulder Bag an easy pattern to personalise.

Wearing Your Net Shoulder Bag

Drape this Crochet Net Shoulder Bag over one shoulder with a loose linen shirt and wide-brim hat for a farmers market look that feels genuinely considered rather than assembled. It also works beautifully as a book bag slung across the body on a slow afternoon in the city, or tucked under your arm as an open-top tote at the beach with a folded towel peeking out of the top. Every time you reach the final stitch you will understand exactly why you made this.

Caring for Your Crochet Net Shoulder Bag

Because this bag is made in DK cotton, it responds beautifully to a gentle hand wash in cool water with a mild soap, after which you should reshape it by hand and lay it flat to dry so the mesh panels hold their rectangular form. If your yarn is mercerized cotton, a light blocking with damp towels and a few pins at the corners will sharpen the edges and even out any slight irregularities in the grid. Store the bag loosely folded or hung on a hook rather than crushed at the bottom of a drawer, as cotton can crease deeply when compressed for long periods. A little care at the end of each season will keep it looking as crisp as the day you finished it.

Every loop you pull through is a small act of making something real with your own hands, and this Crochet Net Shoulder Bag is the kind of project that reminds you why that matters. Find the full video tutorial from Vivi Berry to follow along and watch the pattern come to life, then share your finished bag on Pinterest and tag your creation so other makers can find their way here too.

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Tutorial and photos of this net shoulder bag by: ViVi Berry Crochet.