Looking for a fun and functional crochet project? This free tutorial shows you how to make a Tic Tac Toe bag that is perfect for on-the-go entertainment! Not only does it store all the pieces, but it also doubles as the game board. Whether on a picnic, traveling, or hanging out at home, this playful bag will provide endless fun.
What makes this Tic Tac Toe bag truly special is its clever design. The game board is built right into the bag, so there’s no need to worry about losing pieces or carrying extra accessories. When the game is over, simply pack the pieces inside, pull the drawstring, and you’re ready to go! It’s the perfect combination of fun and functionality. Plus, it’s a unique handmade gift idea that is sure to impress!
Materials Needed for Your Own Tic Tac Toe Bag
- Yarn: Worsted Weight yarn total of 60 yards in two colors
- Sample made using Mary Maxim Natural Alpaca (colors: cool stream & raw cotton)
- Main Color (mc): about 50 yards
- Contrasting Color (cc): about 20 yards
- Optional: about 5 yards of kitchen twine (or you can use yarn)
- Size H/5.00 mm crochet hook
- Measuring Tape
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Stitches and Tutorials Used in Pattern
In this crochet pattern, there is a unique stitch that is new to most people. It is important to use the stitch otherwise your game bag will come out distorted and not the right shape. To help in learning the stitch, I have created video tutorials that will be linked throughout this blog post. Be sure to click on the links for further assistance.
- Stitches & Abbreviations Used:
- Foundation Hdc = Foundation Half Double Crochet: tutorial HERE (https://youtu.be/vZcKVI-NTRs)
- Khdc = Knotted Half Double Crochet tutorial HERE (https://youtu.be/Z0mvZS365i8)
- Ch(s) = Chain(s)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- Sp = Space
- R = Row/Round
Pattern Gauge
- Gauge is always important to obtain the stated size in the pattern. The gauge for the blanket is: using Hook I (5.50 mm) 10 Khdc X 9 rows = 3” square
- However, obtaining the exact size of the bag is not essential. If your gauge is slightly off, it will affect the final size slightly, but don’t stress too much over it unless you need an exact size.
- If your gauge is quite a bit bigger/smaller, you may want to decrease/increase your hook size or be aware that the yardage of yarn may be affected.
Beginning the Tic Tac Toe Bag
- The bag is made as two flat rectangles that will later be sewn together.
- The pattern is provided in two formats: a written guide and a traditional graph.
- Use the format you prefer or use them combined to double-check your work.
- The written guide is formatted to follow the chart. It only specifies the yarn color and stitch count.
- On the chart, the first row of foundation hdc are noted with a “T”.
- In the last two rows of the chart, the graph squares that have an “0” represent a chain space.
- Each square on the chart instructions represents one stitch.
- Weaving loose ends as work progresses is recommended.
- When changing yarn colors, always drop the color of yarn to the back of your work. When the next row is worked, the yarn will be on the working side for the next color change.
- A video tutorial on changing yarn colors can be found here. (https://youtu.be/UmjmNgl1JXw)
- Count your stitches at the end of each row, the last stitch can easily be overlooked.
- At the end of each row alternate turning clockwise and counter-clockwise. This trick will keep your yarn from tangling.
Completed Size of Bag
- 4 ½” wide X 6 ½” high
Game Board (hashtag) side of Bag
Below is the chart to use to crochet the first side of the Tic Tac Toe Bag. On this side of the bag, you will crochet the game board, or hashtag, by working color changes in your stitches. This technique is explained through the video tutorials linked above. Just below this chart, I will have the written instructions.
← Row 1: 17Foundation Hdc in mc
→ Row 2: 17mc
← Row 3: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
→ Row 4: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 5: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
→ Row 6: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 7: mc, 15cc, mc
→ Row 8: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 9: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
→ Row 10: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 11: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
→ Row 12: mc, 15cc, mc
← Row 13: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
→ Row 14: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 15: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
→ Row 16: 5mc, cc, 5mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 17: 17mc
→ Row 18: 17mc
← Row 19: entire row in mc – khdc, [ch, khdc], repeat [ ] to end
→ Row 20: entire row in mc – khdc, [ch, khdc], repeat [ ] to end, fasten off
Tic Tac Toe Side of Game Bag
Just like above, I will share the chart you can crochet off of, then I will add the written instructions directly below it.
← Row 1: 17Foundation Hdc in mc
→ Row 2: 17mc
← Row 3: 3mc, 3cc, mc, 3cc, 2mc, cc, 4mc
→ Row 4: 4mc, cc, 2mc, cc, mc, cc, mc, 2cc, 4mc
← Row 5: 3mc, cc, mc, cc, mc, cc, mc, cc, 2mc, cc, 4mc
→ Row 6: 3mc, 3cc, mc, 3cc, mc, 3cc, 3mc
← Row 7: 17mc
→ Row 8: 4mc, cc, 2mc, cc, mc, cc, mc, 3cc, 3mc
← Row 9: 5mc, cc, mc, 3cc, 2mc, cc, 4mc
→ Row 10: 4mc, cc, 2mc, cc, mc, cc, mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 11: 3mc, 3cc, mc, 3cc, mc, 3cc, 3mc
→ Row 12: 17mc
← Row 13: 3mc, 3cc, 2mc, cc, 3mc, cc, 4mc
→ Row 14: 4mc, cc, 3mc, cc, 2mc, cc, 5mc
← Row 15: 5mc, cc, 2mc, cc, 3mc, cc, 4mc
→ Row 16: 3mc, 3cc, 2mc, cc, 2mc, 3cc, 3mc
← Row 17: 17mc
→ Row 18: 17mc
← Row 19: entire row in mc – khdc, [ch, khdc], repeat [ ] to end
→ Row 20: entire row in mc – khdc, [ch, khdc], repeat [ ] to end, fasten off.
Tic Tac Toe Bag Assembly & Finishing Touches
- After both pieces of the bag have been crocheted, you will place them on top of one another, making sure the right side of the “tic tac toe” piece is facing the right way. If it isn’t, the words will be backward.
- Using the main color yarn, thread a yarn needle and whip stitch the side and bottom edges together.
- Crochet the bag cord, use crochet hook H and kitchen twine, chain about 60, and fasten off.
- Weave the above chain cord through the chain spaces of Row 19 of the bag. Once woven around the top of the entire bag, tie the ends of the chain together and your cord is now the bag drawstring.
Game Pieces – Be Creative!
To play tic tac toe, you will need to have ten game pieces. There will need to be 5 pieces for each player.
You can make these pieces if you like. In my samples above, I gathered rocks and let my daughter paint them and they worked perfectly, just make sure they are not too big, each rock should be able to fit inside the center square of the game board.
- Possible game pieces you can use to play Tic Tac Toe:
- Painted Rocks (mentioned above)
- Checker game or other game pieces
- Marbles
- Food – beans, cereal, pasta, jelly beans, skittles (I’d stay away from chocolates since they can melt and make a mess)
- Coins
- Magnets
- Wooden Blocks
- Buttons
Free Download Through March Only!
As part of the Geeks and Gamers Blog Hop the Tic Tac Toe Bag will be available as a Free download through the month of March. After that, it will only be available on my blog, but will remain Free. You can download for Free through the button below:
Changing Colors Course to Perfect Your Skills!
If you need a more visual hand in learning the techniques needed to make the graph in this pattern, you can check out my Changing colors course today, click HERE for instant access. This is the same technique I use in many of my blanket designs.
More Crochet Fun
I am sure you will love these home décor crochet patterns. When you make one, I would love to see a photo of your project. I host an interactive Facebook group called, “SP3 Crochet & Conversations”. You’re invited to join, it is a great spot to share photos, ask questions, and have fun. I invite you to join today by clicking HERE.
