A pair of hand-braided cotton bag handles that give any tote or market bag a warm, made-by-hand finish. Each set is woven in small batches from soft, thick cotton rope and finished with small leather end caps, ready to sew or rivet onto your favorite bag.
Details
The handles are braided from three plies of thick, unbleached-style cotton rope twisted into a firm round cord that holds its shape even when loaded with groceries or books. The braid is pulled to a steady tension by hand, so each handle sits smooth and round rather than loose and lumpy, and the pair matches evenly in length and fullness. We chose cotton over synthetic rope because it ages beautifully — softening with use instead of going shiny or stiff — and it accepts natural dyes in warm, muted tones.
At each end, the rope terminates in a small full-grain leather cap that folds around the cord and is secured with tight wrapping. The cap protects the raw end from fraying and gives you a clean point to stitch or rivet through when attaching the handle to a tote, bucket bag, or market carry. These handles were designed as a repair-and-remake piece: refresh a worn canvas bag, finish a handmade tote, or replace tired plastic handles with something that carries a story.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 24 in per handle (pair included) |
| Rope diameter | 0.5 in round braid |
| Material | Braided cotton rope |
| End caps | Full-grain leather, hand-wrapped |
| Finish | Natural, undyed or two-tone dye |
| Weight | 3 oz per pair |
| Attachment | Sew or rivet through leather caps |
| Care | Spot clean; air dry flat |
Features
- Braid a firm round cotton rope that stays smooth under loaded weight.
- Match the pair evenly so both handles sit at the same length and fullness.
- Cap each end with full-grain leather to stop fraying and protect the raw rope.
- Keep the weave tension even so the handles do not loosen over time.
- Dye the rope in warm, earthy tones that soften gently with use.
- Leave a clean stitch or rivet point on each cap for easy attachment.
Custom Colors & Sizes
Choose single-tone or two-tone rope from our palette — cream, sand, terracotta, olive, navy, or charcoal — and pick leather cap color (natural tan or dark brown). Lengths from 18 to 30 in are available, and we can make wider or narrower rope on request. Contact us with your bag’s measurements and colors, and we will braid a pair to fit.
Ordering & Shipping
Each pair of handles is braided to order and ships within 3–5 business days. US orders go out tracked via USPS in 2–5 business days; international shipping is available. Handles are wrapped in tissue and shipped flat in a padded mailer, and we gladly answer questions about attachment or sizing before you order.