moogly

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Patterns
  • Tutorials
  • MooglyCAL
  • Giveaways
  • Lives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Patterns
    • Tutorials
    • MooglyCAL
    • Giveaways
    • Lives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Free moogly Patterns » Bags, Totes, and Purses

    Capulin Cross Body Bag

    Published: Sep 9, 2016 · Modified: Feb 24, 2026 by Tamara Kelly · 18 Comments

    Capulin Cross Body Bag - crochet your own with this free pattern from Mooglyblog.com!

    Earlier this summer I got to spend some time in the southwest of the US, and that trip inspired the Capulin Cross Body Bag!

    Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.

    Prefer the ad-free PDF? You've got options!

    This button leads to the pattern on Etsy

    Prefer the free blog version? Keep scrolling!

    Tapestry + Surface Crochet

    The Capulin Cross Body Bag is made using the tapestry technique - you crochet over the unused yarn, and then switch colors (repeatedly) over the course of each round, creating images and shapes! I've got a tutorial for the tapestry technique below. One touch I added - surface crochet along all the straight lines, to really sharpen up the triangles! I think it gives this pattern a more polished look - one you can omit if you prefer!

    Capulin Cross Body Bag - crochet your own with this free pattern from Mooglyblog.com!


    Capulin Cross Body Bag

    Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

    US - H, 5.0mm hook - Furls

    375 yds Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool (Aran/10 ply; 465 yds/425 meters; 8.01 ounces)
    Color A (CA): Brown Heather - 1 skein (265 yds)
    Color B (CB): Natural - 1 skein (110 yds)

    Finished Size: 10.5" x 10.5", excluding handle/strap

    Gauge: 18 sts x 15 rows = 4"/10cm in hdc (in pattern)

    Helpful Links and Video Tutorials:

    Bag bottoms

    Tapestry crochet

    Hdc in the 3rd loop

    Surface Crochet

    Crochet Abbreviations

    NOTE:

    This pattern using tapestry crochet techniques. To switch colors, finish the previous stitch (the final yo and pull through) with the new color. Crochet over the unused color. See the above linked tutorials for a demonstration of this technique, and the other techniques used in this pattern.

    Capulin Cross Body Bag Instructions

    Round 1: With CA, ch 48, skip the ch closest to the hook, hdc in each remaining ch across, hdc again in last st, hdc across opposite side of foundation chain, hdc again in last foundation chain; join to 1st hdc with sl st. (96 sts in every round of bag before handles)

    Round 2: Ch 1, *with CA hdc 7, with CB hdc 1; repeat from * around, join with CA.

    Round 3: Repeat Round 2; join with CB.

    Rounds 4 and 5: Ch 1, with CB hdc 1, *with CA hdc 5, with CB hdc 3; repeat from * around, finishing last repeat with CB hdc 2, join with CB.

    Rounds 6 and 7: Ch 1, with CB hdc 2, *with CA hdc 3, with CB hdc 5; repeat from * around, finishing last repeat with CB hdc 3, join with CB.

    Round 8: Ch 1, with CB hdc 3, *with CA hdc 1, with CB hdc 7; repeat from * around, finishing last repeat with CB hdc 4, join with CB.

    Round 9: Repeat Round 8; join with CA.

    Rounds 10 and 11: Ch 1, with CA hdc 3, *with CB hdc 1, with CA hdc 7; repeat from * around, finishing last repeat with CA hdc 4, join with CA.

    Rounds 12 and 13: Ch 1, with CA hdc 2, *with CB hdc 3, with CA hdc 5; repeat from * around, finishing last repeat with CA hdc 3, join with CA.

    Round 14: Ch 1, with CA hdc 1, *with CB hdc 5, with CA hdc 3; repeat from * around, finishing last repeat with CA hdc 2, join with CA.

    Round 15: Repeat Round 14; join with CB.

    Round 16: Ch 1, *with CB hdc 7, with CA hdc 1; repeat from * around, join with CB.

    Round 17: Repeat Round 16; join with CA.

    Rounds 18 - 33: Repeat Round 2 - 17. After Round 33, break CB and continue with CA.

    Round 34: Ch 1, hdc in each st around; join.

    Round 35: Ch 1, hdc in 3rd loop of each st around; join. (see linked tutorial above if needed)

    Rounds 36 - 38: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join.

    Round 39: Repeat Round 34.

    Round 40: Ch 1, sc in 3rd loop of each st around; join and break CA.

    Optional:

    Use CA and surface crochet to outline triangles. As shown, all vertical lines were added, then horizontal lines, then diagonal lines.

    Capulin Cross Body Bag - crochet your own with this free pattern from Mooglyblog.com!

    Add Cross Body Strap:

    1. Use st markers to decide placement of strap before you begin. As shown, strap is 7 sts wide.
    2. Join with CA to first marked st of one side and sc in rows to desired strap length. As shown, strap is 45" long.
    3. Sew strap to opposite side of bag (at marked sts).
    4. Edge strap and top of bag by working sc sts evenly along sides of strap and sl sts along top of bag between ends of strap.

    Capulin Cross Body Bag - crochet your own with this free pattern from Mooglyblog.com!


    And that's the Capulin Cross Body Bag! I hope you enjoyed making it! Of course, you can line it, add snaps or a zipper, or dress it up however you like - I can't wait to see how yours turns out!

    The Fine Print

    Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern, but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!

    Capulin Cross Body Bag
    Share
    Pin696
    Tweet
    Share2
    Email
    Reddit
    698 Shares

    More Bags, Totes, and Purses

    • Matcha Cream Crochet Tote Bag
      Matcha Cream Crochet Tote Bag
    • Queens Crossbody Bag - Free Crochet Pattern on Moogly
      Queens Crossbody Bag
    • Tipsy Granny Zipper Pouch - free crochet pattern on Moogly
      Tipsy Granny Zipper Pouch
    • Blue Whale Zipper Pouch - Free Crochet Pattern on Moogly
      Blue Whale Zipper Pouch
    Share
    Pin696
    Tweet
    Share2
    Email
    Reddit
    698 Shares
    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Comments

    1. december says

      September 11, 2016 at 8:33 am

      Wow, I haven't heard of this technique before. It looks amazing though, I think I will try it out sometime soon 🙂 And the bag is so pretty!

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        September 12, 2016 at 10:22 am

        Thank you! 😀

        Reply
    2. Rebecca says

      September 15, 2016 at 2:43 pm

      It's great to see tapestry crochet getting the recognition it deserves. With just a few basic crocheting skills, you can creative a hugely diverse number of patterns. That's what I love about it! It's such an accessible, yet impressive, technique. Many people actually find it to be intimidating, but I think they're usually pleasantly surprised when they give it a go and see how truly easy it is. Beautiful bag (and interesting decision on going with the HDC)! Love the rustic look of the wool, as well 🙂

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        September 16, 2016 at 10:53 am

        Thank you Rebecca! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Diane says

      September 16, 2016 at 6:52 pm

      If I want to make this from a lighter weight yarn, what is the multiple for the beginning chain?

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        September 19, 2016 at 9:43 am

        Hi Diane! You would need 8 more stitches, so 4 more for the starting chain (since you work on both sides). 🙂

        Reply
    4. C G Elliott says

      September 21, 2016 at 2:09 pm

      please add my name to your mailing list. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        September 21, 2016 at 3:07 pm

        I have added you to the list, thank you! You should receive an email to confirm the subscription soon. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Randee Swartz says

      October 03, 2016 at 3:43 am

      on your capulin cross body bag is it ok to have only 5 triangles instead of 6 like the picture?

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        October 03, 2016 at 10:29 am

        Yes, though you'll need to adjust the straps a bit when you get to the top! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Randee Swartz says

      October 03, 2016 at 11:02 am

      ok thank you for your help on this pattern.

      Reply
    7. Randee Swartz says

      October 03, 2016 at 11:54 pm

      I am likeing this pattern and a hole lot and I am makeing the triangles bigger so my friends could see them better.and the colors are warm Brown and Natural.

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        October 04, 2016 at 9:25 am

        😀 Thank you Randee!

        Reply
    8. Andrea says

      January 10, 2017 at 4:34 pm

      Always brilliant and creative patterns! Thank you so much!!!!!!!

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        January 16, 2017 at 3:58 pm

        Thank you so much Andrea! 😀

        Reply
    9. Nancy says

      April 15, 2017 at 2:47 pm

      Been to Cspulin, so know exactly what your inspiration is! Cool!

      Reply
      • Tamara Kelly says

        April 17, 2017 at 9:56 am

        It's a lovely place, so peaceful (is that irony? I always have trouble with that lol)! 😀

        Reply
      • June Gard says

        June 24, 2017 at 10:16 am

        I grew up in the country South of Capulin Mountain, New Mexico. Beautiful inspiration. I haven't tried tapestry crochet yet but I'm going to now!!!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Tamara Kelly of Moogly

    Moogly is world-famous for fresh. modern, and approachable crochet designs - as well as a little knitting and crafting here and there. On Moogly, you'll find several new free patterns every month, top quality video tutorials, giveaways, and more!

    More about Moogly →

    Popular

    • MooglyCAL2026 Block 8
      MooglyCAL2026 Block 8
    • Crochet and Catch Up with Moogly - April 15, 2026
      Crochet and Catch Up with Moogly - April 15, 2026
    • Craft Event Hub
      Find Your People with the Craft Event Hub – GoSadi Giveaway
    • Puppy Squish - Moogly
      Puppy Squish Tutorial
    gosadi
    I'm a Craftsy Instructor. Click to see my classes.
    I Like Crochet

     

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

    Contact

    Email Moogly

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Copyright © 2026 Mooglyblog.com