Common mistakes when crocheting t-shirt yarn bags and how to avoid them

1) Wavy base (too much magnification)

Sign: the base is wavy (like a fly) and doesn't lie flat. This usually happens because you're adding more increases than necessary in each round.

How to avoid it

• Check the pattern of increases (that they are well distributed).
• If you've gone over, undo 1 round and repeat with fewer increases.
• When making t-shirt yarn, try to make the base flat without "forcing" it with your hand.

2) Domed or curled base (few increases)

Sign: the base curves upwards or “curls” upon itself. This is the opposite effect: there are insufficient augmentations and the tissue is “not enough” to expand.

How to avoid it

• Add increases evenly spaced on the next round (not all at the same point).
• Check that you're not knitting too tightly without realizing it.
• If it's already very curly, undo 1-2 rounds and repeat with more increases.

3) Crooked walls or walls that don't rise straight

Sign: When lifting, the bag "twists," becomes uneven, or opens at the top. This usually happens due to a sudden change in tension, not marking the start of the return, or not properly defining the transition from the base to the walls.

How to avoid it

• Use a marker for the start of the turn if you are working in a spiral.
• Do a "transition turn" (for example, taking only one strand) to raise a straighter wall.
• Check every 3-4 turns that the diameter is not increasing (if it is increasing, you are "overdoing" the increases).

4) Uneven tension (changes in size and finish)

Signs: some areas are tighter and others looser; the bag isn't uniform. This is very common with t-shirt yarn because the material can vary slightly and because the weight tires the hand.

How to avoid it

• Support the yarn and the work so as not to knit "in the air".
• If you notice fatigue, stop and start again: it improves regularity.
• Adjust the tension manually or change the crochet hook size if needed.

5) Choosing a stitch that's too open for a handbag

Sign: the bag loses its shape, "sags," opens up, and reveals the contents. High stitches and openwork can look beautiful, but they don't always support the weight of the yarn well.

How to avoid it

• For structure, prioritize low point (or more compact variations).
• Reserve open spaces for decorative areas or small bags.
• If you want a prettier stitch without losing firmness, combine compact textures (e.g., embossed or BLO).

6) Handles that give way or pull on the bag

Signs of trouble: with use, the handle stretches, the bag becomes deformed at the attachment points, or the seams come undone. This is the most frustrating problem because the bag might be perfectly fine… and then fail in that spot.

How to avoid it

• Reinforce the anchoring: more points, more passes, or an internal reinforcement piece.
• If the handle is woven, use a compact construction (and if necessary, add internal reinforcement).
• If the bag is going to carry weight, consider handles made of a more rigid material (or a combination of materials).

7) Loose seams or weak joints

Signs of failure: the seams are opening, gaps are appearing, or the shape is losing its structure. In t-shirt yarn, the seams are points of real stress.

How to avoid it

• Use a firm and even bond (and don't just "catch" surface strands).
• Reinforce especially the corners and the points where handles/closures will go.
• If the bag is large, consider lining it: it improves structure and durability.

8) Do not reinforce the base (when the bag requires it)

Sign: the base sags under weight or the bag "sags" when placed on a surface. In everyday bags, a little reinforcement makes all the difference.

How to avoid it

• If you're looking for structure, add a rigid (hidden) base or internal reinforcement.
• Choose compact points at the base.
• Make sure the base is completely flat before building up walls.

9) Visible ends and threads

Sign: knots, points, or splices are visible on the outside. In t-shirt yarn, splices can "bulge" if they are not integrated well.

How to avoid it

• Integrate splices in less visible areas (interior or sides).
• Hide the threads well inside the fabric (several centimeters) so that they do not come loose.
• Avoid large knots in areas of tension (handles and joints).

10) Do not try the bag "in use" before finishing

Sign: the bag looks perfect on a table… but when you hang it up or put things in it, its shape changes. The yarn reacts to the weight, so it's best to do a test before closing it completely.

How to avoid it

• Before finishing, put something inside (without exaggerating) and hang it on for a minute.
• Check especially: the bag's opening, handle attachments, and base.
• If something gives way, reinforce it before the final closure.

Recommended basic tutorials

Many problems start at the base: if it's well-constructed, the bag practically makes itself. Here are step-by-step tutorials to help you choose your base and knit it with a good distribution of increases:

Final checklist (before considering it finished)