Florence Bag - Oasis Beat

I completely forgot how much I enjoy making classic granny squares until this project!

This is the Florence Bag in Oasis Beat, a fun shoulder bag pattern by @crochetjillian made from just 4 floral granny squares. It was such a quick make, and the variegated blue acrylic from my stash worked up into an authentic worn-in jeans vibe without needing any color changes between rounds. 👖💙

The pattern didn't list the exact yardage, and I was debating which stash yarn to use before diving in. I calculated it so you have that information going in if you decide to pull from your own stash: the entire bag took about 185 yards. (Side tip: a digital kitchen scale or postal scale is a really handy gadget once you get serious about crochet.)

Even though the yarn recommended a 5.5 mm hook, I stuck with the pattern's suggested 4.5 mm. Dropping down a full millimeter gave the squares a denser, firmer fabric with zero regret—it provides the exact structure a handbag needs without feeling floppy.

One of my favorite surprises was the chunky puff stitch shoulder strap. Most crocheted handles end up stretching down to your knees, but this puff stitch strap stayed remarkably sturdy and stretch-free! Finished with an invisible magnetic snap closure, a decorative dark navy button, and a matching side tassel, it makes such a great compact everyday carry.