May
okay so free crochet purse patterns
honestly the best place to start is just picking a basic shape because most purse patterns are really just rectangles or circles that you fold or seam together. I made this slouchy hobo bag thing back in spring 2022 when I was basically living on my couch watching true crime documentaries and needed something to do with my hands. used Red Heart Super Saver in that grey heather color because it was cheap and I wasn’t sure if I’d even finish it.
the thing about free patterns is you gotta know where to look and also how to tell if a pattern is gonna be actually usable or just someone’s weird experiment they posted online. Ravelry is obviously the big one but their search function can be annoying when you’re trying to filter by actually FREE patterns versus the paid ones. you have to check that little box and sometimes it still shows paid patterns mixed in which is super frustrating.
finding patterns that actually work
so YouTube has become really good for purse patterns lately. like you can literally watch someone make the whole thing and decide if it’s worth your time. I usually watch at 1.5 speed to see the construction before I commit. the problem with video patterns though is you can’t just glance at them while you work unless you’ve got a tablet or something propped up.
Pinterest is hit or miss because half the links are broken or lead to blogs that don’t exist anymore. but when you find a good one it’s usually got clear pictures at least. I found this cute market bag pattern on there that I made in summer 2024 using Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn in that hot pink color. took it to the farmers market exactly once before my cat decided it was his new bed so now it just sits on the floor with cat hair all over it.
basic construction types you’ll see
most free purse patterns fall into a few categories. there’s the flat rectangle ones where you literally just crochet a rectangle fold it in half and seam the sides. add handles and you’re done. these are good for beginners but they can look kinda homemade in a bad way if you don’t pick the right yarn.
then there’s the granny square bags which are having a moment right now I guess. you make a bunch of squares and join them together. the pattern part is easy but weaving in all those ends is absolutely terrible and this is the thing that annoyed me most about making purses in general – SO MANY ENDS TO WEAVE IN. like why did I think joining 20 granny squares was a good idea.
circle base bags are another common type where you start with a flat circle for the bottom and then work up the sides. these actually look more professional usually because the shaping is better. you can make them structured or slouchy depending on your yarn choice and tension.
yarn choices matter more than you think
okay so I learned this the hard way but the yarn you pick basically determines if your bag will hold its shape or just stretch out into a saggy mess after one use. cotton yarns like Lily Sugar’n Cream or that Bernat Handicrafter Cotton are good because they don’t stretch as much. I made a bag once with Red Heart Soft and it stretched so much after I put my wallet and keys in it that it looked ridiculous.
worsted weight is probably the easiest to work with for bags. you can use bulky yarn if you want something that works up fast but it might end up too stiff or heavy. I tried making a bag with that Wool-Ease Thick & Quick once and it was like carrying around a brick.
if you want something more drapey and fashionable I guess you could use a lighter weight yarn but then you’re gonna be crocheting forever and the bag might not be sturdy enough for actual use. depends what you’re going for.
the lining question
so here’s something most free patterns don’t really address well – whether or not to line your bag. technically you don’t have to but if you’re using a stitch pattern with holes (like granny squares or a mesh stitch) your stuff is gonna fall out or at least be visible which might be fine or might be annoying.
I usually don’t line mine because I’m lazy and also don’t really sew fabric that well. but if you want to line it you basically just cut fabric to match the bag shape add a little seam allowance and hand stitch it in. or use fabric glue I guess. there’s probably YouTube tutorials for this part because I’ve never actually done it properly.
handles are their own whole thing
this is where a lot of free patterns get weird or vague. they’ll be like “add handles” and you’re like okay but how. there’s a few options and they all have pros and cons.
you can crochet the handles as part of the bag by just continuing to chain and single crochet or whatever stitch you’re using. this looks cohesive but crocheted handles can stretch over time especially if you’re carrying heavy stuff. I made a bag with crocheted handles using Caron Simply Soft and after like two weeks of carrying my stuff the handles were down to my knees basically.
another option is to buy wooden handles or those plastic ring handles from the craft store. you crochet the bag and then attach it to the handles. this looks pretty professional actually and the handles won’t stretch. JoAnn’s usually has these in the yarn section or sometimes in the purse-making aisle if your store has one.
you can also use leather straps or ribbon or whatever. I’ve seen patterns that use old belts cut down as handles which is kinda cool. or you can buy leather straps online if you wanna get fancy.
structure and stiffening
some bags need help keeping their shape and free patterns usually don’t include this info. if you want a structured bag you’ve got options. there’s this stuff called Peltex which is like a stiff interfacing you can cut to shape and insert into the bottom of your bag. or you can use plastic canvas cut to size.
I made a tote bag that kept collapsing in on itself and it drove me crazy so I cut a piece of cardboard to fit the bottom. worked fine until it rained and the cardboard got wet and turned into mush. so maybe don’t use cardboard or at least cover it in plastic or something.
you can also use a smaller hook size and tighter tension to make the fabric stiffer overall. this takes longer and can make your hand cramp but it works. or double strand your yarn for thicker fabric.
specific free patterns worth trying
okay so I’m not gonna link everything because that’s annoying but I can tell you what to search for. the “Granny Square Purse” patterns on Ravelry are pretty foolproof if you already know how to make granny squares. there’s like a million variations and most are free.
there’s this pattern called the Market Bag or maybe Farmers Market Bag that’s basically a mesh bag that folds flat when empty. super useful and works up fast with cotton yarn. I think the original is by… someone I can’t remember but if you search “market bag crochet pattern free” you’ll find versions.
the Fat Bottom Bag is another popular free pattern that’s been around forever. it’s basically a circle base with sides worked up and it actually looks decent. you can customize the size pretty easily by just making your starting circle bigger or smaller.
if you want something more structured there’s patterns for boxes or boxy bags where you make rectangles for each side and seam them together. these take more planning but look really professional when done right. I haven’t actually finished one of these because seaming all those pieces together got tedious but the construction makes sense.
modifications you can make
the nice thing about bag patterns is they’re pretty forgiving for modifications. you can basically take any basic pattern and change the size by using different yarn weight or hook size or just adding more rows/rounds.
if a pattern says to use worsted weight you can substitute cotton yarn in the same weight and it’ll work fine just with different drape. or use acrylic if you want something cheaper that you can throw in the washing machine.
you can also add pockets pretty easily by crocheting a small rectangle or square and sewing it to the inside or outside of the bag. I did this once and it was actually useful for holding my phone.
straps can be made longer or shorter obviously just by adjusting the chain count or number of rows. if a pattern gives you short handles but you want a crossbody bag just make the straps way longer.
common problems with free patterns
okay so sometimes free patterns are free because they’re not great. here’s what to watch out for. vague instructions like “work even until piece measures 10 inches” without telling you what stitch to use or if you’re working in rows or rounds. if the pattern doesn’t specify this stuff it might be poorly written.
also watch out for patterns with no pictures or only one picture of the finished item. you want to see construction photos or at least close-ups so you know what it’s supposed to look like as you work.
gauge matters more for bags than you might think because if your gauge is way off your bag will be a weird size or shape. most free patterns include gauge info but some don’t. if there’s no gauge listed maybe look for a different pattern or just accept that your bag might turn out different than pictured.
sometimes the math in free patterns is wrong because people don’t test them properly before posting. if you’re following a pattern and the stitch count seems off or things aren’t lining up you might need to adjust. I was making this chevron bag pattern once and the increases and decreases didn’t balance out so it started getting all wonky shaped and I finally just gave up on it.
what you actually need
for most basic bag patterns you need yarn obviously and a hook in the appropriate size. I usually use an H hook (5mm) for worsted weight yarn but check what the pattern recommends. you’ll need scissors and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming.
stitch markers are helpful especially if you’re working in the round so you know where your rounds start and end. the locking kind are better than the rings because they don’t fall out as easily.
if you’re adding a lining you need fabric scissors thread and a regular sewing needle or sewing machine. but again most people probably skip the lining for their first bag at least.
you might want a measuring tape to check your dimensions as you work. and if you’re buying handles separately obviously you need those.
how long does it actually take
depends on the pattern and your speed but a simple rectangle bag might take like 3-4 hours total. a granny square bag takes way longer because of all the squares you have to make and then join plus all those ends oh my god. maybe 10-12 hours for a medium sized one.
a circle base bag with worked-up sides usually takes me 5-6 hours spread over a few days. I don’t usually crochet for hours straight because my hand gets tired or I get bored.
the fastest bag I ever made was that market mesh bag and it took maybe 2 hours because the mesh pattern works up super quick and there’s not much to it. but it’s also not very exciting to make because it’s just the same stitch over and over.
making it look intentional
one thing I learned is that color choice and finishing details matter a lot for whether your bag looks homemade-cute or homemade-bad. neutral colors like grey beige cream or black tend to look more polished. bright colors can look great too but be careful with variegated yarns that might look too busy.
weave in your ends properly and trim them close so you don’t have little tails sticking out everywhere. this seems obvious but I’ve definitely been lazy about it and regretted it later.
if you’re adding embellishments like buttons or appliques or whatever make sure they’re sewn on securely. nothing looks worse than a decoration hanging by one thread.
blocking can help some bags look better especially if they’re cotton. you basically wet the bag shape it how you want it and let it dry. I don’t usually bother with this for bags but it can help if your stitches are uneven or the shape is wonky.
honestly the best way to make a crocheted bag look good is just to use it confidently like you meant for it to look exactly like that. people usually can’t tell if something is slightly imperfect unless you point it out.
