Japanesse Knot Bag ... a greek story

Hi guys! Welcome back!

Yeah, the tittle is weird but i can explain, i swear!

The story began last year when i took a solo trip to Greece. I had a work trip to the country and decided to make good use of the already paid plane ticket to the gods land and extend the visit 1 more week.

I was certain that i would spend 2 days in Athens and then off to some beach... but here is the problem. I don´t have a valid drivers licence in UE, yes... terrible. The public transport in the islands of Greece, well ... is close to none. So i had to find a place that i wouldn´t need a car to move around, and with the help of ChatGPT (yes, i hate to admitted but this is the truth) he recommended to go to and island called Hydra.

And oh boy ... he was right.

The island is a piece of heaven on earth. It only has 1966 habitants and NO cars are allow nor bikes. Yes, as you are listening. It has 20 km long and 3.5 km wide.

It´s known to be a very bohemian island with mainly rich people and artist coming to the island... and it can tell. But somehow, i got a good deal and i decided i wanted to go. I needed to be away from everyone.

When i was packing my bags, i didn't have any yarn to bring with me on my adventure, (Lies, i had, i just didn´t like what i had...) so i said to myself: "no worries, when i got to Athens, which is a big city, i will find a yarn store and buy some yarn there..." Big mistake.

When i got to Athens there was so much to do in so little time that i ended up with NO yarn at all. And there i was, on a island, in the middle of the Aegean Sea, beautiful and peaceful beaches, and no yarn.

2 things happened:

The first day, i enjoyed the view .... the second, my hands got nervous.

But on top of that the beautiful hotel in which i stayed in gave me a huge, hugeeeee key to my room which didn't fit at all in the only tiny bag i brought with me. (Yes, I am a little bags lover)

The first night i went out to dinner, i had to use my tote bag just because of the size of the key. See proof below...

On my second day and after having breakfast, I remembered there was a little stationary shop since the island was know to receive painters and artists... so i decided to go inside and take a look.

The only yarn that i found was a very thick and chunky yarn, not for crochet, but i was convinced to make something out of it. I grab first only 1 ball of that yarn and tried it out.

After trying and trying and looking for inspo on Pinterest, i was convinced to trying out the Japanesse Knot Bag.

The Japanese knot bag, also known as Azuma Bukuro (東袋), has its roots in traditional Japanese culture and was originally crafted from a single piece of rectangular fabric. It´s the poriginal eco bag. Designed for practicality and simplicity, it was commonly used by people of all classes to carry everyday items like food, coins, or personal belongings. The distinctive knotted closure not only kept contents secure but also held symbolic meaning, representing protection and connection. Over time, the design has been influenced by wrapping techniques such as furoshiki, blending tradition with modern style. Today, the knot bag remains a fashionable and functional accessory with timeless appeal.

This bag has a unique style since the larger handle goes inside the smaller handle to close the bag. No zipper, no cord no nothing needed to close it.

The fist and original model is the white one ... you can see the change of colours because of the rustic of the yarn. The black one, is the second version and the one i did to write this very pattern you will find below.

Now, enough of the chitchat and let´s start crocheting...

Materials:

• Literally ANY yarn and colour you like, i will explain how to adapt it. For my bag i use a recycled material from the brand Circulo Brasil called Apolo Eco - 4/8: 457 m (600 g)

• 5 mm hook (choose a hook that makes the stitches be very close together - a tight fit)

• Needle (to saw the handles)

• Scissors

• Charms (optional)

Pattern:

The Bag

1. Start with chains - enough to cover 25 cm

1. Do 2 chains and dc in the 4th chain from the hook. Continue doing dc till the end of your chain.

2. Without turning your work, we will work in circles (or oval) - in the same chain that you place the last dc, you will place 3 more dc - your work will start to "turn"

3. Now, on the opposite side of all your dc, you will place another dc. See image below to better understanding.

4. When you arrive at the beginning again, you will also place 3 dc on the base of your first 3 chains - the ones that acted ad your first dc.

5. Close with a ss. This is what is looks like:

6. 

7. 

   1. From now on, you will repeat the following sequence until you reach the high of your bag:

8. 3 chains plus dc on top of all dc from the previous row. Close with a ss.

9. Final Measurements are: 15 cm wide and 26 cm long.

The Handles:

The Long Handle:

Once you finish, you can close you bag an continue on step 2 below, or do like i did...

1. Without closing, "run" with 2 ss to position your first handle more centred.

2. Do 3 chains as your 1st dc - 2 dc in the next 2 stiches - 2 chains on top of the 4th stich - 3 dc. Turn your work.

3. Do 3 chains as your 1st dc - 2 dc in the next 2 stiches - 2 chains on top of the previous 2 chains - 3 dc. Turn your work. Repeat this process until you reach 36 cm (or your desirable length).

4. Saw from the inside you handle to the other side of your bag.

The Short Handle:

Repeat the process on top, but for half the length. In my case, i did 18 cm long. Saw from the inside you handle to the other side of your bag.

And you are done!!

Extra Tip: add a Charm!! :)

In my case, for the first bag... when i was in Hydra as well, i bought from a local shop a set of beans which reseamble the famous Greek Eye of protection. At the time i bought them, i didn know what i was going to do with them, so i took the home. It was months after i did the bag in Hydra, that i was at home and the idea pop into my head: i will saw the greek beans intos my greek bag :)

I hope you enjoy this very easy pattern and if you make it pleaseee tag me at @galebbyday on Instagram.

Thank you for being here!

See you next time!!!

All crochet designs, patterns, and photographs published on this blog are my original work unless otherwise stated. Commercial use, reproduction, or distribution without permission is strictly prohibited. © 2025 Galeb by Dai.