How to make a crochet duffle bag: the model that defines the season (in just 2 hours!)

There are trends that never really go away. When they come back, it’s like reopening an old photo album full of memories.

The duffle bag is the perfect example: it preserves that vintage charm that takes us back in time.

Born to be practical and roomy, this bag has its roots in the history of a family that knew how to anticipate change — the Louis Vuitton family, which transformed the tradition of travel trunks into an icon of style.

From classic versions, true fashion legacies, to the most modern reinterpretations, today’s trend focuses on soft, refined materials like suede, adding a sophisticated and contemporary touch.

And that’s where my idea was born: to reinterpret this great classic with a handmade twist, thanks to Tessiland yarns and a design that combines trend and practicality.

The result? A crochet duffle bag that looks like it came straight out of a boutique — but that you can make yourself in just over two hours.

The idea: a timeless classic with a “suede effect” touch.

It all started with one color: burgundy.

A warm, elegant, and super chic tone, crowned as the must-have of the season and destined to dominate the next one too.

From there, the choice of materials came naturally:

a 27x11 cm burgundy bag base, a semi-rigid duffle structure, an Easy Zip closure in eco-leather burgundy, and finally two yarns to work together, inspired by the suede trend taking over both catwalks and street style.

I used AVRIL chenille (much loved and finally back in stock!) for its soft and velvety effect, and paired it with EDITH yarn in a slightly darker tone to create a sophisticated and deep contrast.

The result? A warm and textured fabric, with a visual effect reminiscent of luxury suede materials.

Easy and quick tutorial to make a crochet duffle bag.

Discover the materials used in the tutorial:

• 2 skeins of Avril Burgundy yarn
• 1 skein of Edith Burgundy yarn
• 27x11 burgundy bag base
• Semi-rigid duffle structure
• Easy Zip closure in eco-leather burgundy
• Crochet hook no. 6; to work through the closure holes I used a no. 2.5
• Wool needle and scissors for finishing

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• chenille edith base
• structure closure

The process: simple, intuitive, and super fast

Step 1 – The base

I started by inserting the crochet hook into one of the holes in the bag base, working one single crochet per hole.

At the corners, I made 1 single crochet + 1 chain stitch, repeating the sequence in each hole.

I continued this pattern for 3 rounds, until I obtained a regular and even base.

Since the structure is slightly larger than the base, I used the yarn to perfectly align the two parts.

Step 2 – The body of the bag

For the main body I chose the double crochet stitch: fast, compact, and ideal for giving structure to the project.

As soon as the project started to “rise”, I inserted the structure into the base already created and continued crocheting all around, incorporating it into the work.

It was surprisingly simple: stitch by stitch, the duffle shape came to life beneath my hands.

Step 3 – Assembly

Once I reached the top edge, I stopped and moved on to the closure.

I took the Easy Zip in burgundy eco-leather and repeated the same base pattern: one single crochet per hole all along the perimeter.

At this point, I joined the closure to the structure using a wool needle with a nylon eye and a strong thread.

The trick? Align the holes and sew alternately, passing the needle between the structure and the closure:

up - left – down - left – up - left – down - left, like a small precision dance.

Finally, I secured the bag body by sewing with EDITH yarn along the crochet stitches, until I achieved a perfectly finished edge. You can also add a shoulder strap if you like — I won’t, because I want to carry it by hand.

The result: a handmade couture bag

The beauty of this project lies in the way it blends craftsmanship and trend, resulting in a bag that looks straight out of a boutique.

The suede-effect texture, the burgundy tone, and the structured duffle shape make this bag the perfect piece for autumn-winter, to show off with soft coats, trench coats, or casual chic looks.

It’s one of those creations that make you think:

“I made it myself, but it looks like I bought it in a luxury store.”

And yes, that’s exactly the Tessiland experience: turning yarn into emotion, and emotion into style.

Rosaria Tessiland®