Ads allow content creators to provide free useful and compelling content to the public. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. See the Affiliates and Disclosures page in the top menu of this website for detailed information.
If you are looking for a no stretch crochet bag strap that actually holds its shape under weight, you are in the right place. This post compares five different approaches — from the thermal stitch to the Tunisian method — so you can choose the right technique for your specific project before you start.
Each strap below uses different stitches and attachment methods, some requiring hardware and some working directly into the top of your bag. Video tutorials and written instructions are linked for each one.
Which No Stretch Crochet Bag Strap Is Right for Your Project?
Not all no stretch crochet bag straps work the same way or suit the same bags. Here is a quick guide to help you choose before reading the full breakdown:
Need the sturdiest possible strap with no hardware: Use Strap 2 — the woven look wrapped stitch worked directly into your bag. Making a crossbody or fashion bag needing hardware: Use Strap 1 — the thermal stitch strap — or Strap 3 for a thinner decorative look. Making a market bag that carries heavy loads: Use Strap 2 — it is the most weight-bearing option. Want a woven look with a different structure: Use Strap 4 — more challenging but beautiful. Want Tunisian look without a Tunisian hook: Use Strap 5. Beginner crocheter: Start with Strap 2 or Strap 3 — both use beginner-friendly stitches.
If you’re looking for a low to no stretch crochet strap for your crochet handbag, tote or purse this is the post for you. There are several different ways to make a non-stretch crochet bag strap, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.
I will go over several of them this post so you can see a variety of no and low stretch crochet bag straps. You can see which one might suit the crochet bag you have in mind.
Table of Contents
Two Principles That Keep Crochet Straps From Stretching
Every no stretch crochet bag strap on this page is built around one or both of these principles:
1. Small hook to yarn ratio — Going down 1 to 1.5mm from your bag’s hook size tightens the stitch structure significantly. Tighter stitches have less room to expand under weight.
2. Supporting stitches — These are stitches that work into the stitch below or beside them, locking each row against the previous one. The thermal stitch, wrapped stitch, and Tunisian method all use this principle in different ways.
Simple single crochet rows alone will always droop under weight — no matter what yarn or hook you use. The straps below solve this by combining one or both principles above.
You may like this new free crochet drawstring bag pattern
How to keep straps from stretching using these no stretch crochet strap principles:
- Use stitches that have a very small amount of space between them. This can be done by using a small hook in relation to yarn size or the stitch itself. Expect to go down a full 1 to 1.5mm hook using the same yarn as your bag was made with.
- Supporting stitches: These are stitches that are worked either into the stitch below or the stitch beside it to give it extra support and not be prone to droop.
Because stitches are tight and/or woven into each other they can take more time than you might expect a strap to take but it’s worth it to have a bag that doesn’t droop to your knees! Some straps will need to be attached to hardware while others can be worked directly into the bag’s final top row or round.
You may like this post on Five No stretch crochet Stitches to make crochet garments and crochet shawls that don’t lose their shape over time.
Strap 1 — Thermal Stitch No Stretch Crochet Bag Strap
The thermal stitch uses principles that prevent stretch. It’s a woven look strap well suited to hardware that will be attached to the bag.
This is a low stretch stitch and not a no stretch strap. Keep the hook small, stitches tight. Too small of a hook will make the stitch difficult to work so find the happy medium. I used a 4mm crochet hook with category 4 yarn for this particular strap shown in the image.
The foundation rows are worked onto the hardware then it is a simple one-row repeat until you achieve the length you like. Then a special way to attach the low stretch crochet strap to the other end of the hardware to make the whole strap look seamless.
See my video tutorial of this strap or the written instructions here. It is a beautiful strap and would work well as a crochet guitar strap too.
It’s used in the crochet crossbody bag pattern.
you may like this ipad/book sleeve pattern
Strap 2 — Woven Look No Stretch Strap (No Hardware Needed)
This stitch combination has very little stretch making it a great choice for a crochet bag strap. Each stitch is fully wrapping the row below for the ultimate in stitch support. It looks woven like the thermal stitch above but very different. These are beginner-friendly stitches. What crochet skill level are you?
This strap can be worked directly into the top of the bag and does not need hardware to attach it. This one is ideal for crochet market bags because the contents can become very heavy. I have found two market bags I have crocheted droop down to my knees with just a few things in them and I am nearly 6 feet tall! Now I make my market bags with this non-stretch woven look crochet strap.
See details how to work this woven look crochet strap in the written post or the video demo.
T-shirts and project totes for crocheters available in my Etsy shop!
Strap 3 — Thin Decorative No Stretch Crochet Bag Strap
This strap will barely budge which, for how thin it is, is a bit surprising. This strap has the additional reinforcement of being worked vertically which doesn’t pull as much as stitches worked horizontally.
Buy the wristlet pattern and/or see the no stretch strap tutorial
This was designed for a fashion bag and needs to be attached with hardware. While I used a substantial set of bag hardware from bringberry, you can use something as simple as a D ring. You can work a whipstitch around the long edges if you want a more snazzy look when it’s done.
This is an easy stitch combination to work even for beginners, see the instructional post or video tutorial here.
Camellia designer crochet handbag
Even with a bottle of water and a heavy wallet inside, these crochet straps aren’t budging!!!!
Strap 4 — Advanced Woven Look No Stretch Crochet Strap
This strap is for an experienced beginner or intermediate skill level. I find it a bit more challenging to work especially with the hook size you need to make it low stretch.
It has a very different structure than the previous stitches using internal support almost like a crochet row girdle!
It needs to be used with bag hardware of your choice. I used a swivel style for this one but a simple D-ring will suffice.
See the video tutorial of this woven look no stretch bag strap.
Check out my project trackers!
Check off style tracking with room for a note on each row.
Large print and regular print available. Large print is great for tired eyes.
Sections for small, medium and large projects so you don’t waste any pages.
Or try a small tracker page for free here.
See the Shop my Books section.
Strap 5 — Tunisian No Stretch Bag Strap Using a Regular Hook
This strap uses the beautiful and simple Tunisian crochet but without having to get a different crochet hook. That’s right you can use your current standard crochet hook to work this Tunisian low stretch bag strap.
This is because there are just a few stitches that easily fit onto a standard crochet hook.
The stitches are woven and worked such that there is minimal stretch following the principles mentioned at the start of this post.
Check out the free instructions to make this low stretch bag strap.
More Crochet Bag Patterns and Tutorials
Ready to put your no stretch strap to work? Here are crochet bag patterns from Live Chill Life that pair perfectly with these strap techniques:
- Guinevere Crossbody Bag Pattern — uses the thermal stitch strap
- Camellia Designer Crochet Handbag — uses the thin decorative strap
- Easy Crochet Drawstring Bag Pattern — free pattern
- iPad and Book Sleeve Pattern
- 5 No Stretch Crochet Stitches — for garments and shawls that hold their shape
