Crochet Mini Bag Tutorial: How to Make an Adorable Small Purse Step by Step
If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably noticed that mini bags are everywhere. From designer runways to everyday street style, these tiny, charming accessories have taken the fashion world by storm — and the crochet version might just be the most lovable of them all. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or someone who has just gotten comfortable with the basics, this crochet mini bag tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know to create a beautiful, functional, and completely personalized little purse.
The best part? You can finish this project in a single afternoon, use up yarn scraps you already have at home, and end up with something that looks like it came straight from a boutique shelf. Let’s dive in.
Why Crochet a Mini Bag?
Before we get into the stitches and materials, let’s talk about why this project is so worth your time.
Mini bags are incredibly versatile. You can wear them crossbody at a festival, clip them to a backpack for an extra pop of texture, hang them as wall décor, or use them as a gift bag for a small present. They’re also one of the most beginner-friendly bag projects you’ll find in the crochet world because their small size means fewer stitches, a faster finish, and much less room for discouragement.
From a yarn perspective, mini bags are a dream. You can use up leftover skeins, experiment with color combinations you’ve been curious about, or finally try that beautiful cotton yarn you’ve been hoarding. Because you’re not committing to a large yardage, this is a low-stakes, high-reward creative project.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you cast on a single stitch, gather everything so you’re not hunting around mid-project.
Yarn: You’ll want about 100–150 yards of medium weight (Category 4) cotton yarn. Cotton is the ideal choice for bags because it holds its shape well, doesn’t stretch out over time, and comes in an enormous range of colors. That said, acrylic or a cotton-acrylic blend works beautifully too. For a mini bag with a bit of structure, look for a tightly twisted yarn rather than something fluffy or loosely spun.
Crochet Hook: A 5mm (US size H/8) hook pairs perfectly with Category 4 yarn, though you should always check your yarn label for the recommended hook size. If your gauge is coming out too loose and floppy, go down half a size. If your stitches are so tight you’re struggling to insert the hook, go up half a size.
Notions: You’ll also need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, a pair of scissors, stitch markers (at least two — these are your best friends in the round), and a tape measure. Optional but helpful: a small crochet bag insert or piece of stiff interfacing if you want your bag to stand up on its own.
Closure and Hardware: A magnetic snap closure or a simple button works well. You might also want a small D-ring and a swivel clip if you’d like to attach a chain strap for a more polished, store-bought look. These are available at any craft or fabric store for just a couple of dollars.
Lining (Optional): A small piece of cotton fabric in a complementary color can be hand-stitched inside the finished bag to protect the contents and give it a more professional finish.
Understanding the Basic Stitches
This pattern uses a handful of fundamental stitches that any beginner can master before starting the project itself.
Magic Ring (MR): This technique creates a tight, invisible center for bags worked in the round. If you’re not comfortable with the magic ring yet, you can chain 4 and slip stitch into the first chain to form a ring instead — it’s a perfectly acceptable substitute.
Single Crochet (sc): The workhorse of this pattern. Single crochet creates a tight, dense fabric that’s ideal for a bag because it doesn’t stretch as much as taller stitches.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): This stitch is one step taller than single crochet and gives a slightly more drapey, flexible fabric. Some crafters prefer it for the sides of the bag.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join rounds invisibly and to finish off sections of the bag neatly.
Chain (ch): Used for the handle strap and for turning chains.
If any of these are new to you, spend ten minutes on a practice swatch before starting. Muscle memory makes a huge difference once you’re actually working on the bag.
Gauge and Sizing
For this tutorial, the finished bag measures approximately 6 inches wide by 5 inches tall, not including the strap. This is a classic mini bag size — big enough to hold your phone, some cash, a lip balm, and a few cards, but small enough to feel genuinely mini and lightweight.
Your gauge should be approximately 14 single crochets and 16 rows equal to 4 inches using the 5mm hook and your chosen yarn. If your gauge is slightly off, your bag will still be functional — it’ll just be a touch bigger or smaller than described.
The Crochet Mini Bag Pattern
Now for the fun part. This pattern is written for a bag worked in joined rounds from the bottom up, creating a flat oval base that grows into structured sides.
Part One: The Base
Start with a magic ring.
Round 1: Chain 2 (this does not count as a stitch), work 10 single crochets into the magic ring, pull the ring closed tight, and join with a slip stitch to the first sc. You now have 10 stitches.
Round 2: Chain 1, work 2 sc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch. You now have 20 stitches.
Round 3: Chain 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in following st, repeat from to around, join with a slip stitch. You now have 30 stitches.
Round 4: Chain 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in following st, repeat from to around, join with a slip stitch. You now have 40 stitches.
Round 5: Chain 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in following st, repeat from to around, join with a slip stitch. You now have 50 stitches. This is your finished circular base.
If you’d prefer an oval base (which looks lovely and gives the bag a slightly more structured, traditional silhouette), here’s an alternative:
Chain 12. Starting in the second chain from the hook: sc in each of the next 10 chains, then work 3 sc in the last chain. Turn to work along the bottom side of the foundation chain, sc in each of the next 10 chains, 2 sc in the last chain, slip stitch to join. Continue increasing at the short ends of the oval for two more rounds until your base measures roughly 6 inches across. Both the circular and oval bases work beautifully — choose based on your aesthetic preference.
Part Two: The Sides
Once your base is complete, you’ll stop increasing and simply work straight up to create the walls of the bag.
Rounds 6–20: Chain 1, sc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch at the end of each round. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each new round so you don’t lose track of your round beginnings.
Work these straight rounds for approximately 15 rounds, or until your sides measure about 4.5 inches tall. As you work, you’ll notice the bag naturally takes shape and the walls become satisfyingly firm and upright.
At the end of Round 20, do not fasten off.
Part Three: The Flap
The flap is what gives this mini bag its iconic look. Instead of working in the round, you’ll now turn and work back and forth in rows across only the back half of the bag’s opening.
Count your stitches. Work a slip stitch across the first 12–13 stitches until you reach the center back of the bag. Now you’ll work flat rows over the next 25 stitches (the back half).
Row 1 (Flap): Chain 1, turn. Sc in each of the next 25 stitches. Turn.
Row 2: Chain 1, sc2tog (decrease), sc across to the last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (23 stitches)
Row 3: Chain 1, sc across. Turn.
Row 4: Chain 1, sc2tog, sc across to the last 2 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (21 stitches)
Row 5: Chain 1, sc across. Turn.
Repeat this decrease-every-other-row pattern until you have about 15 stitches remaining, ending after a decrease row. For a rounded flap, on the final row work sc2tog at both ends again, then work a single crochet border all the way around the flap edge by going back to the first row and sc evenly along both sides and across the top. This edge round gives the flap a clean, finished look.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Part Four: The Strap
You have a few options for the strap, depending on the look you’re going for.
Crocheted Chain Strap: Chain approximately 100 stitches for an adjustable crossbody length (about 50 inches). Slip stitch back along the chain to create a double chain, then attach securely to both sides of the bag by sewing through the side loops with your yarn needle. This gives a simple, classic look.
Thick Crocheted Strap: For a chunkier strap, chain 5, then sc back and forth across those 5 stitches until the strap reaches your desired length. This takes more time but results in a sturdy, comfortable strap that looks wonderfully handmade.
Metal Chain Strap: Purchase a length of metal chain (gold or silver tone) from a craft store and attach it to D-rings that you sew onto the sides of the bag. This gives the bag an elevated, accessory-store aesthetic that’s absolutely stunning.
Adding the Closure
Attach a magnetic snap to the underside of the flap and to the front of the bag at the corresponding position. To do this, cut a small piece of fabric or use a washer to back the snap on the inside of the crochet fabric — this distributes the pressure so the snap doesn’t eventually tear through the stitches. Sew it in place with a needle and thread that matches your yarn color.
If you prefer a more rustic or handmade feel, a large button and a small crocheted loop closure is equally charming and requires no hardware at all. Simply attach your button to the front of the bag, then crochet a loop by chaining 10–12 stitches and joining them into a small circle at the tip of the flap.
Customization Ideas
One of the most exciting things about making your own accessories is that you’re not locked into any single aesthetic. Here are some ideas to make this mini bag completely your own.
Color Blocking: Work the base and lower half of the sides in one color, then switch to a contrasting color for the upper half and flap. This bold, graphic look is on trend and requires nothing more than a yarn change mid-project.
Boho Fringe: Cut lengths of yarn about 8 inches long and use your crochet hook to loop them through the bottom edge of the bag, then trim them into an even fringe. This takes about ten minutes and completely transforms the bag’s personality.
Textured Stitches: Once you’re comfortable with the basic single crochet version, try substituting half double crochet or even a simple shell stitch for the sides. A shell stitch bag has a beautiful, lacy look that’s perfect for summer.
Embellishments: Crochet small flowers, stars, or hearts separately and sew them onto the flap. Add beads, fabric patches, embroidered details, or even iron-on transfers to personalize the bag further.
Color Gradient: Use a gradient or self-striping yarn for a gorgeous ombre effect that requires zero extra effort on your part.
Tips for a Polished Finish
A few small techniques make the difference between a bag that looks handmade and one that looks professionally crafted.
Weave in your ends very thoroughly — at least three or four inches in different directions, and ideally tie a small knot at the beginning of each tail before weaving so it can’t work its way back out over time.
Block your finished bag by lightly misting it with water and pinning it into shape on a foam mat. Let it dry completely before adding the closure or lining. This evens out any inconsistencies in your tension and gives the fabric a beautifully smooth appearance.
If you’re adding a fabric lining, cut it slightly smaller than the interior of the bag, fold the raw edges under by about half an inch, and whipstitch it to the inside walls just below the bag’s opening. The lining won’t be visible from the outside, but it makes the bag feel incredibly high quality.
Finally, press the flap flat with a cool iron (over a pressing cloth to protect the yarn) so it lies smoothly against the front of the bag.
How to Care for Your Crochet Mini Bag
Cotton yarn bags are wonderfully easy to care for. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent, reshape while damp, and lay flat to dry. Avoid the dryer, as heat can cause cotton to shrink. For acrylic yarn bags, most are machine washable on a gentle cycle inside a mesh laundry bag.
Store the bag stuffed with a bit of tissue paper when not in use to help it hold its shape over time.
Final Thoughts
Making your own crochet mini bag is one of those projects that delivers an outsized sense of satisfaction for the amount of time and effort it takes. You start with a ball of yarn and a hook, and a few hours later you have a genuinely wearable, genuinely beautiful accessory that’s entirely one of a kind. No two handmade bags will ever be exactly alike, and that’s exactly the point.
Whether you’re making this for yourself, as a heartfelt gift, or as the first in a series you plan to sell at a craft market, the techniques in this tutorial give you a solid, repeatable foundation to build on. Once you’ve made one, you’ll find yourself reaching for more yarn before the first is even finished — because that’s just how crochet mini bags work. They’re completely irresistible.
Happy hooking!
