Nothing cuter than a tiny bag to carry your little one’s treasures! So I made a free crochet pattern: little handbags for kids.
A little while ago, Biggie told me she was going “to the shops”. She came back with an armful of wooden eggs, a couple of wooden milk bottles, and a felt lettuce. As she struggled to hold it all and show me her goodies, I realised she needed a little shopping bag of sorts, so she could trot around to her heart’s content.
Not having a sewing machine (I will one day, I swear!), I sat down with some scrap yarn and made a simple little bag for her to use. It didn’t take long, maybe a night or two, and she has been happily taking it everywhere, holding an assortment of toddler ephemera. She loves it! And more to the point, so do I. It’s very cute!
I made this little pink one for Smalls and wrapped it up for Christmas. There’s still plenty of time if you’d like to whip up a couple for your babes – they’re rather newbie-crocheter friendly!
The one on the left is Smalls’s, and the one on the right is Biggie’s. I didn’t make Smalls’s too much smaller, as she’s growing so fast. So it’s the same pattern as the one on the right, except I used a 4.0mm hook, and Biggie’s I did with a 5.0mm hook. (Biggie is 2.5 years old and this comes to her hip).
Free Crochet Pattern: Little Handbags for Kids
You will need:
either a 4.0mm or 5.0mm hook
2 balls 8ply yarn (for Biggie’s I used Cleckheaton Folklore Natural wool and alpaca blend, and Magnum soft 8ply. For Smalls’s I just used the Magnum soft in two colours).
Crochet Litle Handbags for Kids Pattern:
Chain 25.
1. sc in each, then continue sc around the other side (the bottom of the work) so you are sc in each side of the original chain. Sl st to join at the point where you started the sc.
2. sc in each all the way around to the starting point. Sl st to join.
3. Sc in back loops only all the way around. Sl to join. This will create a little base for the bag so it can open out a bit wider and fit more goodies in 🙂
4-6. sc in each.
7-24 . Change colour if you like, and sc in each.
25-26. Change colour and sc in each.
To make the handle:
You can finish off above and start the handle anew, but I don’t bother. I just did 4 sc somewhere near where it looked like the sides of the bag would be. I then ch 1, turn, and sc in each. I continued that pattern for as long as necessary to match Biggie’s height (she had 49 rows of 4sc, and one row of sl st attaching it to the bag. Smalls’s was a little bit shorter.
The flower pattern I used for the decoration was the one I always use (I love it!).
Looking for more crochet projects?
For other yarny goodness, why not try this this pom pom version, ripple baby blanket, vintage-style scarf, chunky crochet scarf, easter bunny basket, winter baby girl hat, or this sweet little hat. Want to flex your knitting skills? Try this simple cushion cover.
I totally love it! Wish I could crotchet….. will put on my new years list for 2014 – learn to crotchet 🙂
Oh do it! it’s so easy. you can see how on the Meet Me at Mike’s blog!
On this pattern it says to sc rows 4-6, then single crochet rows 5-24. That isn’t correct.
Thanks.
How very sweet and Pepper looks so gorgeous i will file this one away ,thanks Stacey xx
She is a doll 🙂
this is awesome thankyou! A nice quick homemade gift to make up for the cousins. Nicely done 🙂
Everybody wins!
Oh my heart. The Damn Emos had identical dresses to those. In pink and purple.
I love them! Etsy is awesome for ’80s dresses 🙂
Oh I’ve been looking for something like this! So many young people in my life looking for their own little bags for stuff!
Everyone needs their own little bag!
These look very cool, there will be some little girls getting these for there birthday presents this year! Just to clarify do you use American crochet or English?
that sounds great! I use American x
Could a person use the Red Heart Super Saver yarn to make this? I see that you used 8 ply yarn, so would I have to use 2 strands?
You could – you could either use the 4ply yarn and a smaller hook and make the bottom of the bag the size you want, regardless of how many stitches I’ve said to do. Once that is the right size, that will determine how many stitches make up the bag itself. Otherwise yes, use two strands. It will look slightly different but will still be nice!
Thank you so much for your help.
Hi. Can you please tell me what thickness your eight ply is, eg worsted weight, chunky etc. I used eight ply and after 25 chains I realised it would be way too small. 8 ply in Australia is equivalent to light worsted weight/DK.
Thanks
Dallas
Made it, love it – but I’m new to crocheting, so wondering how to get it to lie flat? It looks great but the bottom corners kind of flip up…anything I would be doing wrong?
Did you sort it out, Erin? I’m so sorry, I missed your comment!
Just made the purse. Thank you for such a cute pattern. However cannot find page the flower pattern is on. Can you provide the page with instructions. Thank you
Can items made from your free patterns be sold? My daughter and I are starting a small business in the US and would love to use your little purse patterns. We, of course, would give you credit for the pattern and provide a link to your website, with your consent. Thank you for considering this.
Hello, I was wondering if you can give me info on how to make this bag bigger Please!! I really like it but I would like to make a bigger one for my goddaughter and she’s a petite 8 year old. I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
Hello! I’m so sorry – I hope I’m not too late?
My advice would be to make the bottom of the bag bigger to begin with – say, maybe chain 35 to start. Then do a few more rounds to make the width of the bag bigger.
Then when it comes time to do the rounds to build the height of the bag, do as many as you think will keep the bag in proportion to the newer, larger base. You can make it as shallow or as deep as you like, depending on what kind of bag you want to make.
but the main part is to make the base bigger. Good luck!