We all love a good crochet bag pattern. These will come in handy when it comes to making personalized gifts, for personal use, or for selling. Check out our collection of more than 45 free crochet bag patterns that are excellent for people who are new to crocheting or those with more experience.  

Crochet bags never go out of style. They’re both easy and fun to make. Crochet bags also come in many forms, from beach bags to totes and purses. And if you are looking for crochet bag patterns to try, our collection is all you need. So, if you’re excited to start your crochet bag project, this post will guide you through.

Did you know that you can crochet many bags with just rectangles? Let me show you how you can crochet bags and many other types of patterns using this techniques. Learn free for just 2 days.

Why Crochet Bag Patterns Make Such Great Crochet Projects 

Now, you’re probably wondering why crochet a bag when you can buy one. Anyone can buy a bag, but not everyone can crochet one. A crochet bag, purse, tote, backpack, or shopping bag is unique. They stand out from the crowd. 

Learning how to crochet bags is a fun new skill that can introduce you to new stitch patterns. And if you want to learn how to add more stitches to your bags, or any other project, check out my Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library for 45 different stitches to learn!

A crochet market bag is practical to use while getting your groceries. Plus, you don’t need to use plastic bags, Mother Nature will be happy about it! 

Crochet totes and purses are one of a kind. You can use whatever colors you like and even use up bits of your stash to make your colorful bag.  

Going to the beach is easy when you own a crochet beach bag. You’ll always be able to find your spot thanks to your one-of-a-kind bag. 

Even if you’re a beginner you can sharpen your crochet skills by practicing and making these bag patterns. 

If you are looking for the best crochet bag patterns, then look no further. This post is your ultimate guide to crocheting bags, enjoy! 

Are You New to Crochet? 

Are you new to crochet? No worries! Even the best crocheter started as a beginner. So, welcome to the crochet world, community! I have the best crochet patterns for beginners to learn and enjoy yourself. Check out my Crochet Fundamentals course to learn all the basics and beyond.

Types of Crochet Bags

Crocheted bags come in all forms, shapes, sizes, and stitches. You can even use all kinds of yarns and crochet hooks for these projects. Of course, all this depends on how you’d like your crochet bag to look. 

Most crocheters prefer to use cotton yarn for bags because of its durability and washability. They also commonly use medium/worsted weight or bulky weight yarns for strength. 

Crochet Shopping Totes & Market Bags

Do you enjoy shopping or getting food at your local market? Do you hate using plastic bags? If you do, then making crochet totes and market bags is something that you will love. 

Crocheted market bags or shopping bags are durable. They last longer compared to plastic bags. You can pick your favorite colors and create all kinds of designs. With so many patterns to choose from, a crochet market bag is your next go-to bag each time you shop for your groceries. They also make great gifts for your friends and family.

Crochet Purses, Clutches & Shoulder Bags

The best thing about crocheting is you can create all sorts of items. Among the favorites of crocheters are making purses, clutches, and shoulder bags. For one, they’re perfect gifts to give and two, these bags never go out of style. You can crochet one for any occasion. If you love the idea of bringing a unique purse, shoulder bag, or clutch to an event, then this is an ideal project to make. 

Crochet Crossbody Bags

A crossbody bag is a type of bag designed to be worn on one side of the body. It has a long strap that is worn across the body, so the strap sits on the opposite shoulder from where the bag is on your hip. 

Crossbody bags are hassle-free to use. If you prefer to walk without worrying about carrying a bag, crocheting one of these is an excellent project. They’re beginner-friendly and new crocheters can complete one in no time using one of these patterns. 

You can finish your crossbody bag with fabric as lining on the inside and a zipper to secure your belongings. Or simply leave it open for easy access.

Crochet Phone Bag

Our phones are a necessity, and having a special bag just for your phone is great to keep it protected inside a larger bag or when you just want to carry your phone and nothing else. 

Besides keeping your phone from getting damaged, it also reduces your chances of losing it. Why? Who could miss a phone with a crocheted phone bag? They’re unique and will definitely stand out! 

Crochet Pouches and Makeup Bags

It is essential to keep your makeup products in good shape and take care of them so they last. What better way to do that than keeping them inside a crochet pouch or makeup bag? Yes, you can also create these bags to keep your makeup products damage free. 

You can make a simple bag to hold all your essentials in one place. Adding pockets or zipper pouches to your pouch is ideal so you can keep small items like bobby pins, hair clips, bands, and other essentials that you use when doing your makeup. 

Supplies Needed to Crochet a Bag

Before starting any crochet project, you must gather your materials. Be sure to collect your yarns, stitch markers, scissors, needles, and the right size of crochet hook for the project you are doing. It will save you time and effort as you avoid delays because one item is missing. 

Choosing the Perfect Yarn to Crochet a Bag

The most common question asked when crocheting a bag is the type of yarns to use. The best answer to this is to use yarns that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Since bags are often used, sturdy, durable, and long-lasting yarn is your best option.

One of the best choices for crocheting bags is cotton yarn, mainly because of its durability and elasticity, both of which are important for a bag project. Find a yarn that is easy to wash and will not break easily. 

Acrylic yarns can be used for bags but an acrylic blend or natural fiber is better for strength and avoiding pilling

Wool is also a good choice for crocheting bags, especially if you intend to felt the project (intentionally shrinking to make the bag more durable). The only downside to wool is it can be stretched when you put objects in your bag, and the bag will have to be washed by hand if you don’t use superwash wool. 

Yarn Weight

When it comes to the weight of the yarn, choose something heavy/thick. DK yarns, medium/worsted weight, or bulky weight yarns are excellent choices for making bags, especially crocheted tote bags. Lighter-weight yarns are often not as durable.

Colorfastness

The yarn’s colorfastness is also essential. If you are going to crochet a market bag, a handbag that you carry under your arm, or a gift bag, check the yarn for colorfastness of the yarn first. You can do this by tying a small bundle of yarn together (or use your swatch), and letting it soak in warm water for at least 20 minutes. Press out the excess water, then place on a white or light-colored piece of fabric and roll it up. 

If the no color leaches in the water or on the bare fabric, it’s good to go. You don’t want to wear a white shirt and then have the dye from your bag transferred to it!

How Many Skeins of Yarn Do You Need to Crochet a Bag? 

Before determining how many skeins of yarn you need, ask yourself how big the bag will be. The type of bag you want to crochet will also determine the number of skeins you need. Are you making a market bag? Are you eyeing a tote bag? Either way, determining the size of how big this bag project will be is essential. 

For a good size tote bag, you need about 500 yards of yarn. So this means you need around 2-3 skeins of your chosen yarn. If you are in doubt as to how many skeins you will need, check out the pattern you want to make for more information. 

Crochet Hooks for Crocheting a Bag

There are so many crochet hooks to choose from, and if you are new to crocheting, this can be a little confusing. How do you know which hook is the best for your bag project? 

The size of the crochet hook corresponds to the weight of the yarn you will be using. Crochet patterns usually list the suggested hook size to use so you already know what size of hook to pick. 

Sometimes bags are stitched with a needle that’s a little smaller than you might expect for the weight of yarn used to prevent large holes in your bag project. Always consult the pattern you want to use for advice on what size crochet hook to use. 

Notions and Tools Needed

Besides the yarn and hook, you will also need your stitch markers, scissors, tape measure or ruler, and a darning needle. These are all essentials when you start a crochet project. And of course, keep your pattern or video tutorial handy if you are using one! 

Tips for Crocheting Bags

It’s easy to be excited and start your crochet bag project right away, but before you start working, check out these tips to make sure you’re starting on the right foot. 

Choosing the Perfect Crochet Bag Pattern for Your Ability

If you are new to crochet, think about the stitches that you already know how to do when you choose a crochet bag pattern to work on. If you know the basic stitches you should be in good shape, but always read through the pattern to make sure you understand everything it is asking you to do before you begin.

Do you have yarn and a crochet hook you can use or will you need to buy materials? Remember you don’t have to use the exact yarn called for, but you will want to make sure you’re using the same weight of yarn the pattern requires. 

Also, think about how long the project will take. Crocheting is a fun activity, but we don’t always have the mood to crochet on and on. Sometimes, we crochet because it’s something that we can do that doesn’t pressure us. It also relaxes us and keeps our minds off things. 

So before starting a crochet project, ask yourself how long will this one take. If you are going to give this as a gift, set a due date for yourself and follow through. Give yourself enough time to finish the project. Otherwise, it will be another crochet project left undone, sitting in a dusty corner!

Choose Durable Yarn for Your Crochet Bag Project

Choosing the right yarn for crocheting a bag is crucial. The sturdiest crochet handbags are often made with alternative fibers like hemp or nylon or durable yarns that can withstand wear and tear. Choose fibers that will not stretch even when the bag gets wet. 

Cotton yarns or synthetic yarn options are great. While the goal is to create a durable crochet purse or gift bag using lightweight yarns, bulky, worsted weight, or super bulky yarns are excellent choices for making crochet handbags. 

Reinforce Your Crochet Bag Seams and Borders

Reinforcing your bag’s seams and borders holds the bag together better. One of the best ways to do this is to fold the edge over and stitch it into itself. Crocheting the pieces to each other instead of sewing them together is another great way to make the seams strong. 

You can also hold two strands of yarn as you crochet, or use a smaller crochet hook to produce a denser fabric. 

Consider Lining Your Crochet Bag

Adding bag linings is a good way to repurpose old fabric bits or clothing that you don’t use. A lining’s job is to reinforce the bag’s structure (and keep things from falling out). 

Adding lining to your crocheted bag makes it look more polished and if you want to be more professional, adding closure like a zipper would make it stand out even better. Match your fabric and zipper to the yarn used in the bag, or add contrasting elements to make your project pop.  

Make Sure Your Bag Handles Are Securely Attached

Adding handles to your bag makes it perfect, but make sure that you secure them well especially if they’re not crocheted directly as part of the bag. One way to do this is to attach the handle by sewing a square with an X through the square instead of a straight line. 

You can also use hardware like D-rings and rivets to secure the handles more firmly. If you use purchased handles make sure you single crochet around the ring to fasten it to the bag.

Check the Gauge Before You Start Crocheting Your Bag

Before you begin your project, it would help to check the gauge first. What is a crochet gauge? A gauge is the measurement of your rows and stitches per inch. 

If your gauge is different from what is recommended by the designer it might not be the end of the world, since most of the time a bag doesn’t have to be an exact size. But if yours is coming out bigger you will need more yarn and the holes in your stitches will probably be bigger, so you might need to line your bag to prevent things from falling out.

Crochet Market Bag Tote Patterns

Going to the market is fun with these crochet market bags! Take a look at our list and find your new favorite bag for running errands.

Crochet Beach Bag Patterns

Going to the beach is always an exciting time! And it’s even more exciting when you have all your beach needs in one bag. Check out these crochet beach bag patterns and see which one will be your next project.

Crochet Shoulder Bag Patterns

Shoulder bags are great to use as a purse when you have a few things you need to carry with you all day so you need something bigger than a standard purse (we’ll cover those below). Here are some of the best crochet shoulder bag patterns that you can try, check them out!

Crochet Purse Patterns

Crochet purses are fun projects to make and so great because you can use them every day. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, these patterns will surely keep you busy, check them out!

Crochet Crossbody Bag Patterns

Crossbody bags are practical and no hassle to use. And it’s even better when you crochet one. Here are great patterns that you can follow.

Granny Square Bags and Tote Patterns 

Granny squares are not only used for blankets but bags too. Here are easy and unique patterns that you can do with granny squares.

Step-By-Step Crochet Bag Video Tutorials 

Written crochet patterns are great but if you are more of a visual learner, learning how to crochet goes better by watching video tutorials. Here are some great video tutorials for crochet bag patterns you’re sure to enjoy.

Do You Want to Learn to Make More Interesting Crochet Stitches to Use for Your Crochet Bag Projects?

Do you want to be a pro at crocheting? Are you interested to learn more about crochet stitches? Learn 45 different crochet stitches, plus patterns for how to use them, in our Ultimate Crochet Stitch Library.

If you need help with any of the basics of crochet, from choosing the right yarn and hooks to finishing projects and beyond, our Crochet Fundamentals course is the perfect place to start.

Looking for more great crochet bag patterns: 65+ Crochet Bags and Purses Patterns, 30 Easy-to-Follow Crochet Tote Bag Patterns