Small crochet bags can be made from joined granny squares, rectangular mesh panels, a compact continuous spiral, or plain single crochet. These seven original patterns range from a large tote to a tiny mini pouch.
A tapestry needle handles the join as you go seaming these smaller bags rely on.
Bag and pouch patterns to explore
1. Granny Square Bag
Ashley Parker’s granny square bag is made from just 3 granny squares with a simple join and minimal sewing. You crochet the squares from her separate Pink Lemonade Mosaic Granny Square pattern, so you will need to open that page as well, and then she walks you through the join step by step. It uses worsted weight yarn on an I (5.5 mm) hook, with a continuous back-loop-only slip stitch join, and the page gives two sizes of about 8 and 17 inches square.
2. Crochet Market Bag
Carmen’s market bag is designed to be simple enough for a beginner: two panels, then two handles. She used a 4-ply yarn and a 3 mm hook, and you need about 400 meters of fingering or sport weight yarn. The page describes it as eco-friendly, stylish and practical, and says these bags will last for years. A PDF is available on Ravelry and Etsy, and the open construction makes it a light bag for produce or beach items.
3. Mini Crochet Coin Pouch
Fay’s mini coin pouch is worked in a spiral from the bottom up, starting with a single crochet base and then alternating single crochet spike stitches and regular single crochet for texture. The flap is crocheted on and the pouch is finished with a round of single crochet, and then a bag loop and straps are added. She used Paintbox Cotton DK and a 2.5 mm hook, and says you can make it bigger with thicker yarn and a larger hook.
4. The Magnificent Mini Pouch
Sweet Bee Crochet’s Magnificent Mini Pouch is designed for personalization: the pattern calls for 100% cotton yarn, but you can choose any color and style of button, so each finished pouch is unique. It is written in US terms and the free pattern is on the blog. The two pieces are seamed with about 30 inches of yarn, starting at row 23 and weaving in and out of the stitch sides on the front and back. It uses single crochet on a 4 mm hook.
5. Easy Crochet Zipper Pouch
Rhondda Mol’s zipper pouch is worked in single crochet rounds, from the zipper to the base. You prepare the zipper with a simple stitch, crochet into those stitches to make the rest of the bag, then seam the bottom, and she made a video tutorial. The yarn was provided by King Cole. Hooks are 4 mm for the foundation and 5 mm for the body, and the starting round is sewn onto the zipper tape with a chenille needle.
6. Snowglobe Coin Purse
Susanna’s Snowglobe-inspired coin purse is worked in any worsted weight yarn, cotton, acrylic or a blend, and needs only about 30 yards of green and 10 yards of red. Gauge is 11 stitches and 15 rows to 10 cm before blocking, with a 4 mm hook, a yarn needle, a stitch marker and a 6 to 8 inch zipper. The two pieces are crocheted from the center out and finish about 3.5 by 5 inches. The blog also lists other small zipper bags.
7. Round Crochet Coin Purse
Tina Rinaudo’s coin purse is an eco-friendly design meant to replace plastic coin purses, which shed microplastics as they age. The pattern uses sport weight yarn (Gründl Eco Cotton in the sample), and the purse is made from six symmetrical sections that are gathered into a hexagonal twist top closure. It finishes about 8 cm across and 6 cm tall, and the page has a section on which yarn to use and a link to more about sustainable yarns.
Zippers or not
Half of these close with a zipper and half don’t. Oombawka Design sews its first round right onto the zipper tape, Fosbas Designs joins two pieces with one, and byGoldenberry’s coin purse uses a twist top instead. Stitch by Fay’s pouch is a mini in spike stitch.