The last time I carried a real purse I was a teenager. Once I got to adulthood, I stopped carrying one. If I couldn’t fit it in my pockets, then I didn’t need it. Lol.
I just don’t like lugging around a huge purse with a bunch of stuff in it. The only things I ever really need to have with me at all times are my cell phone, sunglasses, and money. That’s it. And luckily, those things usually fit just fine in my hoodie or jacket pockets. However, there are times – specifically in the summer – when I am not wearing something that has pockets.
So I decided to create a small crochet crossbody purse. Being able to wear it crossbody keeps me hands-free and I’m still able to carry my essentials with me. Win-win!
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Small Crochet Purse Pattern
This is a fairly simple purse pattern that is worked in the round using tapestry crochet to create the bobble cactus.
If you’ve never done tapestry crochet before, have no fear. It’s not hard. I’ve included several photo tutorials to walk you through the process. In fact, this is a really great pattern to get you accustomed to color changes in crochet.
To make this small crochet purse, you’ll choose a main color (or you can choose a few colors to create stripes or self-striping yarn) and a cactus color. You’ll work the main portion of the purse in your main color, only changing color to create the bobble stitches for the cactus.
Not too bad, huh? So what do you say? Are you ready to give this pattern a try?
Watch my most popular crochet tutorial on YouTube:
MATERIALS:
- Your favorite worsted weight yarn in two colors. One main color and one contrasting color (for the cactus)
- G6 (4.5mm) crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle (for sewing in ends)
SKILL LEVEL:
- Advanced beginner. This pattern uses beginner-friendly stitches, however, there is some color work. This is a great pattern to introduce the challenges of color work to those who have never done it before. I have included photo tutorials as you go.
PATTERN NOTES:
- This pattern is written in standard US crochet terms
- VERY IMPORTANT: This pattern is worked in turning rows except for the first two and last two rounds. If you work the entire purse in the round, your cactus will lean. In order for your cactus to be straight, you need to work in turning rows as directed. I have noted in the pattern which rows are turning rows and which rows are worked in the round.
- The chain one at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
- Depending on your personal preference, you can choose whether or not to carry the yarn over as you work the cactus. No one will see the inside so it doesn’t really matter one way or the other.
- I have only included color changes between the main color and the cactus. For the striped color purse pictured below, I changed colors on rounds 7, 12, and 17 (but feel free to change colors on any rows that suit your fancy!).
STITCHES USED AND ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS):
- ch = chain
- st/sts = stitch/stitches
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- yo = yarn over
- bbl/bbls = bobble/bobbles: (note: bobbles are worked on the wrong side and “pop out” on the opposite (right) side).
- yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through first two loops on hook (two loops remaining on hook)
- [yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through first two loops on hook] three more times.
- yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up a loop (you should now have six loops on your hook, yo, draw through all six loops on hook.
- MC = main color
- CC = contrasting color (this is your cactus)
HOW TO MAKE A BOBBLE STITCH:
- yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through first two loops on hook (two loops remaining on hook)
- [yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw through first two loops on hook] three more times.
- yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up a loop (you should now have six loops on your hook, yo, draw through all six loops on hook.
GAUGE:
- 4”x4” square = 15 hdc and 11 rows with 4.5mm hook
FINISHED SIZE:
- Approximately 5.5″ wide x 9.5″ long (depending on how long your fringe is.)
How to change colors in crochet:
Color changes are actually quite simple! For instance, when you see on the graph that you need to change color, here’s what you’ll do: When making the stitch before the color change, only make the stitch halfway. After that, you will insert your hook into the stitch and draw up a loop. Before you yarn over again…! Drop your working yarn, pick up the contrasting color and draw through the loops with that. Now you’re ready to work the next stitch with the new color! In conclusion, you will repeat this process to change back to your original color.
To summarize, you will start the color change before your last yarn-over and work the next stitch with the new color. Likewise, to change back to the original color, you will begin the color change before the last pull-through of the contrasting color. I hope that makes sense!
Firstly, when you make the stitch before the color change, start the stitch as normal, but before you finish the stitch, drop your working yarn.
Secondly, pick your next color and use that to pull through the last 2 loops on your hook and finish the stitch. (Although, when you are changing color after a bobble stitch, you will drop your working yarn once you have 6 loops on your hook, and then pull through all 6 loops with the new color)
To change back to your previous color, just repeat the same steps you used to change colors the first time.
Lastly, pull through the last 2 loops on the hook with the previous color and now you’re ready to work with the previous color again.
How to read the written instructions for the Small Cactus Crochet Purse
Here is an example of a round from the pattern:
“MC[hdc in same st and in next 8 sts] CC [bbl, hdc, bbl] MC[29 hdc]” You will read this round like this: “with the MC, hdc in same st and in next 8 sts (on the 8th st you will drop your MC and pick up the CC) with the CC do a bbl, hdc, bbl (before you finish your bbl, switch back to your MC) with MC, hdc in each st to the end of the round.
Sections that say “bbl, hdc, bbl” should be read as “bbl in next st, hdc in next st, bbl in next st.”
OPTIONAL:
I pick up my cactus color on my way ‘back’ around and work over it so it’s right where I need it when it’s time to pick it up again. This way, my work is clean and I avoid having lines of yarn across my work. However, since no one will see the inside of your cozy, this option is totally up to you.
Are you ready to crochet this small cactus purse?
Using your MC, ch 40. Join to first ch, being careful not to twist it. Ch 1, turn.
Round 1: hdc in same ch as ch 1 and in each ch around. Join to first st, ch 1. Do not turn. (40 hdc)
Round 2: hdc in first st and in each st around. Join to first st with a sl st, ch 1 TURN. (40 hdc)
Round 3: MC [hdc in same st and in next 9 sts] CC [bbl] MC [29 hdc] join to first st with a sl st, ch 1, turn (39 hdc, 1 bobble)
Round 4: MC [40 hdc] ch 1, turn (40 hdc)
Round 5: repeat Round 3 (39 hdc, 1 bobble)
Round 6: repeat Round 4 (40 hdc)
Round 7: repeat Round 3 (39 hdc, 1 bobble)
Round 8: repeat Round 4 (40hdc)
Round 9: MC [hdc in same st and in next 7 sts] CC [bbl, hdc, bbl] MC [29 hdc], join to first st with a sl st, ch 1, turn (38 hdc, 2 bobbles)
Round 10: repeat Round 4 (40 hdc)
Round 11: MC [hdc in same st and in next 6 sts] CC [bbl] MC [hdc, hdc] CC [bbl, hdc, bbl] MC [27 hdc] join to first st with a sl st, ch 1, turn (37 hdc, 3 bobbles)
Round 12: repeat Round 4 (40 hdc)
Instructions continued for the Small Cactus Crochet Purse
Round 13: MC [hdc in same st and in next 6 sts] CC [bbl] MC [hdc, hdc] CC [bbl] MC [hdc, hdc] CC [bbl] MC [26 hdc] join to first st with a sl st, ch 1, turn. (37 hdc, 3 bobbles)
Round 14: repeat Round 4 (40 hdc)
Round 15: MC [hdc same st as ch 1 and in next 9 sts] CC [bbl] MC [hdc, hdc] CC [bbl] MC [26 hdc] join to first st with a sl st, ch 1, turn. (38 hdc, 2 bobbles)
Round 16: repeat Round 4 (40 hdc)
Round 17: repeat Round 3 (39 hdc, 1 bbl)
Rounds 18 & 19: repeat Round 4 (40 hdc)
Round 20: sc in first st and in each st around. Join to first st with a sl st. Do not fasten off. You will now make the strap. (40 sc)
Making the strap
ch until the strap is your desired length. Mine is 38″ long. Once the strap is at your desired length, working back down the strap, make one sc in the second ch from hook and in each ch across. To attach the strap, sl st in the st to the left of where you started the strap (refer to photo on right). Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew the other end to the inside of the opposite side of the purse.
To close the bottom of the purse:
With the cactus front and center, hold both sides of the purse together. Insert your hook through the front and back stitches. Pull up a loop and ch 1. Sc in the same set of sts. Continue to sc through the front and back sts all the way across. Fasten off. Rather than weave in the end, you can add it to the fringe.
Flower
Make a magic circle, [ch 4, sl st to circle] 6 times, join to first ch in first ch 4 and use ends to attach it to your bag.
Fringe:
- Cut one piece of yarn 16″ long. Cut in half.
- Line both pieces up together and fold them in half. You will now have 4 pieces of “fringe” at the bottom.
- With your crochet hook, pull the loop through the first stitch at the bottom of your purse.
- Pull the fringe ends through the loop tightly to secure it.
- Trim the fringe to the desired length.
How to read the color graph:
Each square on the graph represents one stitch. Just as we crochet from right to left, the graph is to be read from right to left as well. The graph is shown flat, but you will be working in the round.
B: bobble stitch
All other squares: hdc
*The colors shown are simply suggestions. Use as many (or as few) colors to suit your personal taste. <3
That’s it! Your small cactus crochet purse is all finished! What colors did you end up using? I’d love to see your work 🙂
If you love this pattern, please do share and tag me @spottedhorsedesignco on social media. I absolutely love seeing all your makes ❤️
Looking for more cactus designs? Check out some of my other patterns:
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These photos are the property of Spotted Horse Design Co. This tutorial is for your personal use only. Please do not copy/paste, distribute, or alter and claim as your own.
