Stabilizing the bottom of a crocheted Mochila bag

Dear users, dear authors,
someone asked on Facebook:
What can I do so the bottom doesn't sag so much? Maybe someone has an idea?
Answers so far:
- Some recommend making 10–12 increases per round instead of 8. That makes the bottom flatter.
- Insert a thick, round piece of cardboard.

This is the bag in question:
Crochet pattern for Mochila Bag Dreamcatcher



What would you recommend? I’ve already contacted the author, but since this question comes up often, I thought we could also discuss it more generally. 

Phew, that’s tricky. For sewn pouches, I sew interfacing into the bottom and along the lower edge, which keeps the shape nice and stable. But would that hold up with a crocheted bottom? In that case, the cardboard insert is probably the better choice.

 Padding fleece? What is that?

It’s also one of those iron-on interfacings—thin but very stiff. It doesn’t add any volume to the fabric, but it keeps it perfectly in shape.

If it could be ironed onto the crochet work, it would have the advantage of not slipping, and you could wash it.

I’m familiar with this “problem”.... For my Mochilla, I cut a flat piece of foam to size and placed it inside.... It’s crocheted again using the same pattern on both sides and can then be pulled out as a seat cushion when you’re on the go.
If you crochet the bottom twice, you can place a piece of “plastic canvas” in between, then sew or crochet the bottoms together.... That way, the bottom retains its shape and the whole thing is washable too 😊👍.

The author of the pattern in the first post suggests this as a solution:
I think making the bottom twice and then layering them on top of each other could also be a solution?

I’d also make it with plastic canvas, which is sturdy yet flexible and washable.
I would then crochet the bottom twice and cut the plastic canvas to that size. Next, place the two bottom pieces on top of each other with the plastic canvas in between, and continue crocheting according to the pattern so that the two bottom pieces are crocheted together. (That way, you won’t need to sew it on later.)

Personally, I glue a color-coordinated, cut-to-size bottom made of 2 mm wool felt into my crochet bags.
That way, you don’t have to crochet two bottoms, it’s washable (the fabric glue is washable too), and it looks good :-)

....Wool felt sounds great....
Most of the time, the amount of yarn specified in the pattern isn’t enough, and if you want the colors to match the second bottom, you’ll quickly end up with “a few” more skeins than planned.... 

Hi everyone,

I sometimes have this problem too.
For small, round mochillas/pouches/bags, depending on the size, I place a blank CD between the two bottom pieces. Yes, you have to crochet the bottom twice.

Or I cut the piece out of an old placemat—there are thick, sturdy plastic ones, or you can layer several on top of each other—and crochet around it.

That’s how I do it. I’ll have to keep the wool felt idea in mind. Thanks for the tip.

It’s great that you all have so many ideas on this topic.

I think the idea with the placemats isn’t bad—I’ll have to keep that in mind!

Have any of you managed to crochet a bag and stabilize the bottom to try out all these tips? I’d love to hear more about your experiences.