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How to Crochet a Mini Bag with Striped Colors
Crocheting a striped mini bag is a fun and stylish project that lets you play with color and create a unique accessory. This tutorial will walk you through a simple and elegant design, perfect for holding your phone, keys, and other essentials. We'll build the bag from a circular base, add a vibrant striped body, and finish with a sturdy strap. This pattern is easy enough for confident beginners and works up quickly, so you'll have a new bag in no time!
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
This project is ideal if you're comfortable with:
Magic Ring (MR) / Adjustable Ring: For a neat, closed base.
Chain (ch): The foundation of crochet.
Slip Stitch (sl st): For joining rounds neatly.
Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch that works up quickly.
Working in Rounds: Crocheting in continuous or joined circles.
Increasing: Making your work wider for the base.
Changing Colors: Seamlessly switching between yarns for your stripes.
Fastening Off: Securely ending your yarn.
Weaving in Ends: The crucial final step for a polished and durable bag.
Finished Mini Bag Dimensions (Approximate):
Using worsted weight yarn (Medium #4) and the suggested hook, your finished mini bag will typically be:
Base Diameter: 5-6 inches (12.5-15 cm)
Height: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) (excluding strap)
Strap Length: 40-45 inches (100-115 cm)
These dimensions are easily adjustable! Want a larger bag? Increase the number of stitches in your base rounds and add more body rounds. For a smaller one, do the opposite.
Materials You'll Need:
Gathering your supplies beforehand ensures a smooth and enjoyable crocheting session!
Yarn: Approximately 150-200 yards (135-180 meters) of Worsted Weight (Medium #4) Cotton, Acrylic, or a Soft Blend.
Why this weight? Worsted weight yarn is a great choice as it's widely available and creates a bag with good drape. Cotton will be more structured and sturdy, while acrylic or soft blends offer a softer feel.
Colors: Choose 2-4 complementary colors for your stripes. For example: a main color for the base and a few accent colors for the body stripes.
Crochet Hook: Size J/6.0mm. A slightly larger hook than typically recommended for worsted weight yarn will help your stitches relax and give the bag a lovely drape.
Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): Essential for weaving in all your loose yarn tails and for attaching the strap.
Scissors: Any sharp pair for cutting your yarn.
Stitch Marker (Optional but Recommended): Very helpful for marking the first stitch of each round, especially when working the base.
Let's Crochet Your Striped Mini Bag!
We'll build this bag from the bottom up in three simple parts:
Round Base: Creating a flat, sturdy circle.
Striped Body: Working straight up with color changes.
The Strap: Making and attaching the long shoulder strap.
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Part 1: The Round Base (Main Color)
We'll start with a classic circular base using double crochet. This creates a solid, flat foundation for your bag.
Use your chosen Main Color
Round 1 (Magic Ring):
Create a Magic Ring (MR).
Chain 2 (ch 2) (counts as your first double crochet).
Work 11 double crochet (dc) stitches into the Magic Ring.
Pull the Magic Ring tail tightly to close the hole in the center.
Join with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top of the beginning ch 2. (12 dc)
Alternative Start (if MR is tricky): Chain 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring. Ch 2, work 11 dc into the ring. Sl st to top of beginning ch 2.
Round 2 (Increase Round):
Chain 2 (ch 2) (counts as your first dc).
Work 1 dc into the same stitch where you joined. (This is your first increase).
Work 2 dc into each stitch around the round. (24 dc)
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Round 3 (Increase Round):
Chain 2 (ch 2).
Work 1 dc into the same stitch.
*Work 1 dc into the next stitch. Work 2 dc into the next stitch.*
Repeat from * to * around the round. (36 dc)
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Round 4 (Increase Round):
Chain 2 (ch 2).
Work 1 dc into the same stitch.
*Work 1 dc into each of the next 2 stitches. Work 2 dc into the next stitch.*
Repeat from * to * around the round. (48 dc)
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Round 5 (Increase Round):
Chain 2 (ch 2).
Work 1 dc into the same stitch.
*Work 1 dc into each of the next 3 stitches. Work 2 dc into the next stitch.*
Repeat from * to * around the round. (60 dc)
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Do NOT Fasten Off yet, as we will transition straight into the body.
Self-Correction Tip: Your base should be a flat circle. If it's ruffling, you have too many increases; if it's cupping, you have too few. Adjust the number of stitches in your increase rounds accordingly, keeping the increases evenly spaced.
Part 2: The Striped Body
Now, we'll build the vertical sides of the bag, adding color changes to create vibrant stripes.
Round 6 (Defining the Edge - Main Color):
Chain 2 (ch 2) (counts as a dc).
Work 1 double crochet (dc) into the back loop only (BLO) of each stitch around the entire round. (60 dc)
Why BLO? This creates a distinct ridge on the outside of the bag, where the base transitions to the sides. This ridge helps the bag's sides stand up straight and gives it a crisp, defined bottom.
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Change to your first Stripe Color. To change color neatly, on the last sl st of this round, work the sl st until you have two loops on your hook. Drop the current color, pick up the new color, yarn over with the new color, and pull through the two loops on your hook.
Round 7 (First Stripe Round - Stripe Color 1):
With your new color, Chain 2 (ch 2) (counts as a dc).
Work 1 dc into both loops of each stitch around the round. (60 dc)
Join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Change to your next stripe color.
Rounds Onwards (Body Height):
Repeat Round 7, changing colors as you desire. You can change colors every round, every two rounds, or create thick and thin stripes for a more dynamic look.
A simple pattern would be to cycle through your chosen stripe colors (e.g., Stripe Color 1, Stripe Color 2, Stripe Color 3, and then back to Stripe Color 1).
Continue until your mini bag reaches your desired height. For the approximate dimensions given, you'll want to do about 8-10 more rounds.
After your last body round, join with a sl st to the top of the beginning ch 2.
Fasten Off (FO), leaving a 6-inch tail.
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Part 3: The Strap
This simple chain forms the long shoulder strap of your bag.
Making the Strap:
Chain approximately 120-140 stitches. This length will be for a single shoulder strap. Adjust based on your desired length.
Row 1: Work 1 single crochet (sc) into the 2nd chain from your hook and into each chain across.
(119-139 sc) Fasten Off (FO), leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches / 30 cm) at both ends of the strap for attaching.
Tip: For an even sturdier strap, you can make two rows of single crochet instead of just one.
Attaching the Strap:
Lay your bag flat. Decide which side will be the front and which is the back.
Using your yarn needle, attach one end of the strap firmly to the top edge of the bag, on the side seam. Weave the long tail through several stitches, ensuring it's very secure.
Take the other end of the strap. Place it on the opposite side of the bag, directly across from where the first side is attached. Sew securely.
Weave in the yarn tails from the strap attachments on the inside of the bag.
Part 4: Final Finishing Touches (The Polishing Touches!)
These last steps are crucial for making your mini bag look professional, neat, and durable.
Weave in All Ends (Meticulously!):
You'll have yarn tails from your starting Magic Ring, from fastening off the body, from attaching the strap, and from all your color changes.
Thread each yarn tail onto your yarn needle.
How to Weave Neatly: On the inside of your bag, insert the needle into existing stitches of the same color as the tail. Weave the tail through the fabric for at least 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm). To make it extra secure and prevent unraveling, subtly change direction within the stitches to "lock" the tail in place.
Once secured, trim any excess yarn very close to the fabric, being careful not to snip any of your actual crocheted stitches.
Blocking (Optional but Recommended):
Blocking can significantly improve the shape, evenness of stitches, and overall appearance of your finished bag. It helps it to stand up better and defines the shape.
Method for Acrylic/Cotton Yarn (Wet or Steam Blocking):
Wet Blocking: Gently mist your entire bag evenly with cool water using a spray bottle until it's damp, but not soaking wet.
Carefully stuff the bag lightly with clean towels or tissue paper to help it hold its intended shape.
Allow the bag to air dry completely and thoroughly in a well-ventilated area. This might take a day or two. Do not move or use the bag until it's bone dry.
Congratulations! You've successfully crocheted a beautiful and easy Striped Mini Bag! You now have a unique, handmade accessory that's both functional and stylish. What other color combinations will you make your easy mini bag in?
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