The Popcorn Party Bag is a bright and highly textured crochet project made from individual popcorn-stitch squares. Five squares are joined together to create a cube-shaped bag, and the four side seams are then used as guides for forming the handles. The result is a cheerful handmade bag with a strongly dimensional surface.
This pattern was designed by Clare Sullivan of Bobwilson123 and is described in the original instructions as an Easy + project. The designer notes that the written pattern should be used together with a tutorial. The instructions below preserve the technical information from the original source, including the stitch sequence, round structure, square size example, assembly method, and handle construction.
Materials
- 5 mm / H crochet hook
- 4 stitch markers
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Lots of leftover yarn
The original pattern does not specify a yarn brand, fiber, weight, color quantities, or exact yardage. Those details should therefore not be added or assumed. The source simply calls for lots of leftover yarn.
Important Notes Before You Start
Work the chains loosely. If your corners are pulling tight, the original pattern says to use 5 chains in the corner instead of chain 4.
There is also an important reminder for round 2. Popcorn stitches can cover the next single crochet you need to work into, so take care not to skip a single crochet.
How the Popcorn Stitch Is Built
The pattern uses two popcorn-stitch descriptions: a beginning popcorn stitch and a regular popcorn stitch.
Beginning Popcorn Stitch
Chain 3, counting it as the first double crochet, then work 6 double crochets into the same stitch as the chain 3. Remove the hook and put it into the top of the chain 3. Place the loop back onto the hook, pull up a loop, and pull tight.
When used at a corner, the beginning popcorn is followed by chain 4. A stitch marker is placed in the chain-4 space to mark the corner.
Regular Popcorn Stitch
Work 7 double crochets into the required stitch or chain space. Remove the hook and put it into the first double crochet of the 7 stitches just completed. Put the yarn back on the hook, pull up a loop, and pull tight.
Round 1: Create the Center
Using a magic ring, chain 1. This chain is not counted as a stitch.
Work 8 single crochets into the ring. Slip stitch to join into the first single crochet.
This small center becomes the foundation for the popcorn square.
Round 2: Add the First Popcorns
Join a new color into any of the single crochet stitches.
Chain 3, counting it as the first double crochet. Work 6 double crochets into the same stitch as the chain 3.
Remove the hook and put it into the top of the chain 3. Place the loop back onto the hook, pull up a loop, and pull tight. Chain 4 and place a stitch marker into the chain-4 space to mark the corner.
The popcorn just completed is the beginning popcorn stitch.
Work 7 double crochets into the next stitch. Remove the hook and put it into the first double crochet of the 7 just completed. Put the yarn back on the hook, pull up a loop, pull tight, and chain 3.
This is a regular popcorn stitch.
Work another 7 double crochets into the next stitch. Remove the hook and put it into the first double crochet of the 7 just completed. Put the yarn back on the hook, pull up a loop, and pull tight. Chain 4 and add a stitch marker to the chain-4 space to mark the corner.
Repeat the sequence from the pattern until you have 8 popcorn stitches. Slip stitch to the top of the first popcorn stitch.
If you want to change color, finish off. Alternatively, slip stitch across to the chain-4 space.
Round 2 Checkpoint
- The center began with 8 single crochets.
- The round finishes with 8 popcorn stitches.
- The beginning popcorn uses chain 3 as the first double crochet.
- Regular popcorns are made from 7 double crochets.
- Chain-4 spaces mark the corners.
- Stitch markers identify the corner spaces.
Pay special attention to the stitches hidden by the popcorns. The original pattern specifically warns that a popcorn can cover the next single crochet, making it easy to accidentally skip it.
Round 3: Move Into the Chain Spaces
From this point onward, work into the chain-3 and chain-4 spaces.
Work a beginning popcorn stitch, chain 4, and a regular popcorn stitch all into the same chain-4 space. Chain 3. Work a regular popcorn stitch into the next chain-3 space, then chain 3.
Into the next chain-4 space, work a regular popcorn stitch, chain 4, and another regular popcorn stitch. Chain 3. Into the next chain-3 space, work a regular popcorn stitch, then chain 3.
Repeat this sequence around and join with a slip stitch into the top of the popcorn stitch.
Round 4 and the Growing Square
Slip stitch into the chain-4 space. Into the chain-4 space, work a beginning popcorn stitch, chain 4, and a regular popcorn stitch.
Chain 3, then work a regular popcorn stitch into each of the next 2 chain-3 spaces.
Into the next chain-4 space, work a regular popcorn stitch, chain 4, and a regular popcorn stitch. Chain 3. Into each of the next 2 chain-3 spaces, work a regular popcorn stitch, then chain 3.
Repeat around and join with a slip stitch into the top of the popcorn stitch.
Repeat row 4 until the desired size is reached. The original example uses squares measuring 13 inches and uses 10 popcorn-stitch rounds. Each row gains 1 more regular popcorn stitch between the corners.
Keeping the Corners Straight
The chain-4 spaces are the corner spaces of the square. Stitch markers help you identify them as the square grows. If a corner is too tight, use 5 chains in that corner instead of 4, as recommended by the designer.
The chain-3 spaces between corners are where the regular popcorn stitches are placed in the later rounds. As the square becomes larger, the number of regular popcorn stitches between the corners increases by one with each additional row.
Edging the Square
Join the edging color into a chain-4 space. Chain 1, then work 5 single crochets into the chain-4 space. Place a stitch marker in the third single crochet you just made.
Work 3 single crochets into each chain-3 space. Repeat around and slip stitch to the first single crochet to join.
For the next round, chain 1 and work a single crochet in each stitch to the marker. Work 3 single crochets into the marked stitch, then work single crochet across to the next stitch marker.
Repeat from marker to marker and join with a slip stitch to the first single crochet.
Make Five Squares
The bag is made from 5 squares. In the original example, the blue square is used as the base of the bag.
Arrange the remaining four squares around the blue base. This cross-shaped arrangement makes the later assembly much easier to understand.
Joining the Squares
Join the squares together all the way around as shown in the original photograph. The pattern gives two options: join them with single crochet, or sew them together.
Start from the blue base and connect the surrounding squares. Continue until all five pieces are joined.
Once all the squares have been joined, the bag will have the shape of a cube without a lid.
Optional Bag Lining
The lining is optional. The original instructions provide a separate lining tutorial and specify that you should start at the 10 minute 37 second mark.
Once the bag lining is complete, or if you choose not to use one, continue with the bag construction.
Prepare the Top Edge
Join yarn at the top of the bag where 2 of the squares create a side seam. Work a couple of rounds of single crochet.
Do not finish off the yarn.
The completed bag now has 4 side seams, and the pattern uses these seams as guides for making the handles.
Make the Handles
Make a chain as long as you want your handle. Work single crochet into the stitch that lines up with the next seam that forms the side of the bag.
Continue working single crochet across to the next seam.
Make a chain the same length as the first one and work single crochet into the next side seam. Continue working single crochet around until you get back to the beginning of the round and join.
The side seams are the key reference points for the handle placement. Using them keeps the handles connected to the structure of the bag.
Build the Handle Width
Work a few rounds of single crochet until the handles are the width you want them. The original pattern does not specify an exact number of rounds for the handle width, so this part is left to the maker.
Finish off when the handles have reached the desired width.
Sew in the Lining
If you chose to make the optional lining, sew the lining into the completed bag.
The crochet construction itself can be finished without a lining, so this final step is optional.
Beginner Tips for the Popcorn Party Bag
- Work chains loosely. This is one of the designer’s specific notes.
- Watch the corners. Use 5 chains instead of 4 if the corners are pulling tight.
- Look carefully for hidden stitches. Popcorns can cover the next single crochet in round 2.
- Use the stitch markers. They identify the chain-4 corner spaces.
- Remember the change after round 2. Later rounds are worked into chain-3 and chain-4 spaces.
- Lay out all five squares before joining. The blue square is the base in the original example.
- Keep the two handle chains equal. The second chain should be the same length as the first.
- Do not finish the yarn too early. The original instructions specifically say not to finish off after working the couple of rounds of single crochet at the top.
Common Troubleshooting Questions
What should I do if the corners pull tight?
Use 5 chains in the corner instead of chain 4. This is the exact adjustment recommended in the original pattern.
Why is the next single crochet difficult to see?
The popcorn stitches in round 2 can cover the next single crochet. Carefully locate the stitch before continuing so you do not skip it.
Where should I work after round 2?
From round 3 onward, the pattern is worked into the chain-3 and chain-4 spaces.
How many popcorn rounds were used in the original bag?
The designer’s example uses 10 popcorn-stitch rounds, producing squares that measure 13 inches.
How many squares are needed?
Make 5 squares. The blue square is the base in the original example, with four additional squares forming the sides.
Can the squares be sewn together instead of crocheted together?
Yes. The original instructions say the squares can be joined with single crochet or sewn together.
Is the lining required?
No. The lining is optional.
Complete Project Checklist
- Gather the 5 mm / H hook, 4 stitch markers, scissors, yarn needle, and leftover yarn.
- Make a magic ring.
- Chain 1 without counting it as a stitch.
- Work 8 single crochets into the ring.
- Join with a slip stitch.
- Work round 2 and create 8 popcorn stitches.
- Mark the chain-4 corners.
- From round 3 onward, work into the chain-3 and chain-4 spaces.
- Repeat the popcorn round until the desired square size is reached.
- For the original example, make a 13-inch square using 10 popcorn-stitch rounds.
- Add the two-round single crochet edging.
- Make 5 squares.
- Use the blue square as the base.
- Join the four surrounding squares around the base.
- Continue joining until the bag forms a cube without a lid.
- Work a couple of rounds of single crochet around the top.
- Use the four side seams as guides for the handles.
- Make the two handle chains the same length.
- Work a few rounds of single crochet to reach the desired handle width.
- Finish off.
- Sew in the optional lining if desired.
Visual Reference From the Original Pattern
The original pattern also includes a finished-project photograph, showing the colorful popcorn texture across the bag and the completed handles. The construction photographs provide the most useful visual reference for the square arrangement and joining process.
Video Tutorial
The original source states that the tutorial is needed along with the written pattern. The designer provides a video tutorial playlist:
Final Thoughts
The Popcorn Party Bag combines a simple five-square construction with a bold textured stitch pattern. The project begins with a magic ring and 8 single crochets, develops into a popcorn square through successive rounds, and then uses five finished squares to build the bag.
The most important technical checkpoints are the 8 popcorn stitches in round 2, the chain-4 corner spaces, and the move to working into chain-3 and chain-4 spaces from round 3 onward. Each additional popcorn round adds one more regular popcorn stitch between the corners.
For the example shown in the original instructions, each square measures 13 inches and uses 10 popcorn-stitch rounds. Five squares are assembled, with the blue square serving as the base and the other four forming the sides. After the cube shape is created, the top edge is worked in single crochet and the four side seams become guides for the handles.
Keep the chains loose, watch carefully for stitches hidden by popcorns, and use the 5-chain corner option if the corners become tight. Once the squares are joined and the handles are completed, you can add the optional lining and enjoy the finished colorful bag.
Designed by Clare Sullivan. Happy crochet!