Believe it or not Crochet bag Locks and Closures are a very important part of the design process of crochet bags. The closure of a bag serves more than functional purposes. It defines the style, it forms the shape and it can decide the entire style and appearance of a bag.
There are several types of bag closures. Zippers, Buttons & toggle buttons, drawstrings, snaps, hook and loop Velcro/closures, hook and eye closures, buckles, side release buckles, magnetic snaps, twist locks, tuck locks/press locks, flip locks, swing locks, kiss-lock clasps, etc.
Assuming that there aren’t many questions about zippers, buttons and Velcro closures, I will skip them to give space to the more suspenseful and the more popular types of bag closures. And I will start from the oldies because even though they may be less practical and rarely ever used I believe they deserve the mention just for surviving for literarily centuries.
Drawstring closures are the optimal choice for crochet bucket bags. A drawstring closure consists of two parts. The drawstring, and the eyelets.
The drawstring is a cord that enters and exits the upper perimeter of the bag to gather the fabric and close the opening. The ends of the drawstring may be tied to hold it in place. They can also be kept drawn using a cord lock.
The eyelets are the outlets through which the drawstring enters and exits the crochet fabric. Eyelets can be created like simple buttonholes but you can also attach metal grommets for a more elaborate look.
A Drawstring closure could be entirely crocheted but there are also premade leather or faux leather cords with metal cord locks as well as sew on perforated leather edges with metal grommets available on the market.
Hook and eye closure
A hook and eye closure according to Wikipedia “..consists of a metal hook, commonly made of flattened wire bent to the required shape and an eye (or “eyelet”) of the same material into which the hook fits” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook-and-eye_closure
Though actually, an ancient lock a decorative eye closure can be an excellent choice for flapped backpacks and sporty-looking purses. To attach it just sew the hook on the center of the edge of the right side of the flap and the eyelet at then measure and sew the eye at the point of the front part of the bag where it’s overlapped by the flap.
Kiss lock clasp
Kiss lock clasps are a great choice for clutches and small-sized handbags. They have been around for centuries and they continue to be a trend. They are safe and easy to use and if combined with a smart bag design miracles can occur.
Kiss lock clasps are metal frames in a round, oval, or rectangular shape that locks with the use of two metal elements, usually round balls that clasp together as if they kiss. Sometimes they come with embedded handles or they may simply have slots where a metal chain can be inserted.
To attach them you simply sew them to the edge of the upper perimeter of your bag with the backstitch technique.
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Magnetic snap
Magnetic snaps are suitable for a wide range of bag types with or without flaps. There are snaps with prongs and sew-on magnetic snaps.
Pronged Magnetic snaps are comprised of 4 pieces the male end the female end and 2 washers. Sew on Magnetic snaps are comprised of 2 pieces. The male end and the female end. Both ends are perforated.
To attach a pronged magnetic snap to a flapped bag, insert the female end of the snap and at the point where the flap will overlap the front part of the bag. Then place the washer at the back of the female end so that the prongs will insert into the slits of the washer. Finally, bend the prongs outwards to secure the snap end. Do the same with the male part placing it at the wrong side of the flap at a point aligned to the female end.
For bags with no flap attach the female end at the inside of the bag part of the bag and the male end at the inside of the front part of the bag.
To attach a sew-on magnetic snap to a flapped bag just sew the male end near the edge at the backside of the bag flap and the female part of the bag to the front part of the bag at the point where it overlapped by the flap.
For bags with no flaps, you sew the female part of the snap at the inside of the bag part of the bag and the male part aligned to at the inside of the front part of the bag.
Twist lock
Twist locks are ideally used in bags with flaps or tongue flaps. To use a twist lock it is mandatory that there’s an opening placed on the flap or tongue to host the eyelet of the lock. The size of the opening must be appropriate to fit the eyelet.
Twist locks are comprised of 4 parts. An eyelet, a washer for the eyelet, a male part that carries the twisting mechanism, and a washer for the male part. Twist locks have usually pronged at the male part and the eyelet can be also pronged or attached with little screws.
Apart from the fact that one must make sure to create a buttonhole to its work that maybe makes this type of lock less preferred they are quite easy to attach. Just measure to find your insertion point and insert the prongs of the eyelet into the flap or the tongue of the bag. If there are no prongs Just place the eyelet on the insertion point.
Next center the washer at the wrong side of the flap or tongue pass the prongs through the slits and bend them to secure the eyelet. For non-pronged eyelets align the washer at the wrong side of the flap and use a mini screwdriver to tighten the screws into place.
Tuck lock or press lock
Tuck locks are maybe the most popular type of crochet bag lock. It is ideal for every type of flapped bag from casual backpacks to high-end purses. One of the reasons their so popular for crochet bags is that they do not require any opening or buttonhole to install.
They have comprised of 4 pieces the male end the female end and 2 washers. Similarly to twist locks the female end can be pronged or attached with little screws. The male part of the lock usually comes with a slotted edge full of metal teeth or it can also come with screws.
To attach a tuck lock just press the lips (the slotted edge) with a plyer to the measured point of the flap, or tighten the screws to secure it in place.
Then insert the prongs of the female part into the front part of the bag. If there are no prongs Just place the female end on the measured point. Then center the washer at the backside insert the prongs into the slots or tighten the screws to secure it in place.
Tips:
- If you choose to use a lock attached with little screws keep in mind that they are only suitable for thin crochet fabrics. Don’t even think to use it on bags made with T-shirt yarn. If this is your case prefer to use a pronged press lock closure.
- Kiss lock frames can literarily change the shape of the entire bag. To properly use a metal frame clasp keep in mind the upper perimeter of the bag must fit the perimeter of the frame. It is also crucial that the bottom of your bag has a size and shape similar to that of the frame.
- From pronged locks that require the use of players, it is wise to use a piece of fabric that will come between the surface of the lock and the plyer to avoid scratching the lock.
