This structured mini purse combines candy-pink stripes with a soft crocheted bow, white braided top handles, and a long shoulder cord. The entire project uses single crochet stitches worked in rows. If you can chain, single crochet, and seam pieces together, you can absolutely make this bag.
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About This Pattern
The Strawberry Pink Bow Purse finishes at approximately 8 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall by 1.6 inches deep, not including the handles or shoulder cord. The construction is straightforward. You will make one long panel that folds to create the front, bottom, and back of the purse. Two side gussets give the bag its boxy shape. A separate bow applique with white accent points adds the signature decorative touch on the front.
The skill level sits at confident beginner to intermediate. You should feel comfortable with single crochet fabric, neat seaming, color changes, cord making, and shaped bow details. Plan for about 6 to 8 relaxed hours to complete this project, including all the finishing work.
Materials You Will Need
Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton blend, approximately 250 yards or 229 meters total. You will need five colors broken down as follows:
Hook: 4 mm or US G-6 crochet hook, or the size needed to match gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, pins, and measuring tape.
Optional additions: An 8 by 5.5 inch fabric lining, a magnetic snap for closure, and a plastic canvas insert for the base to help the purse hold its shape.
Yarn suggestions: Paintbox Cotton Aran, Lily Sugar’n Cream, or Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton all work beautifully for this project. Choose a firm, smooth yarn that shows single crochet stitches clearly. For substitution, match gauge and choose cotton or cotton-blend yarn with minimal stretch.
Gauge Information
Gauge: 22 single crochet stitches by 24 rows equals 4 inches or 10 cm in single crochet after light blocking.
Panel gauge: 44 single crochet stitches equals approximately 8 inches or 20.5 cm wide. 30 rows equals approximately 5 inches or 12.7 cm tall.
Making your swatch: Create a 5 inch or 13 cm square. Adjust your hook size until your center 4 inches or 10 cm measures 22 single crochet stitches and 24 rows.
Taking the time to check your gauge matters for this project. The purse needs firm fabric to hold its rectangular shape. If your swatch feels floppy, go down a hook size.
Abbreviations and Stitch Guide
Before diving into the pattern, let me define every abbreviation you will encounter:
UK crocheters: US single crochet (sc) equals UK double crochet (dc).
Special Techniques
Clean color change: Work the last single crochet of the old color until 2 loops remain on your hook. Yarn over with the new color and pull through both loops. Continue with the new color. This creates crisp stripe lines.
sc2tog (single crochet decrease): Insert your hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. Insert your hook in the following stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops. You have turned 2 stitches into 1.
Braided cord: Cut 3 or 4 equal strands, knot one end, braid firmly, then knot the other end. Steam lightly without flattening the twist.
Joining seam: Hold pieces with right sides facing out. Whipstitch through matching edge loops, keeping tension even and corners square.
Pattern Notes
Work all panels in rows. Chain 1 to turn at the end of each row. The turning chain does not count as a stitch.
Carry unused colors only when the next stripe is close. Otherwise, fasten off and weave in your tails. Keep your side seams firm so the purse holds its rectangular shape.
Left-handed crocheters may follow the same rows. Seam in the opposite direction if it feels more natural.
Main Body Panel Instructions
Make 1 long panel for the front, base, and back. Work firmly but do not pull the foundation chain tight.
Foundation: With strawberry pink, chain 45. Row 1 begins in the 2nd chain from hook. (44 sc)
Rows 1-5: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Strawberry pink.
Rows 6-10: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Peach.
Rows 11-15: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Dusty rose.
Rows 16-20: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Ivory.
Rows 21-25: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Rose pink.
Rows 26-30: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Strawberry pink. Front complete.
Rows 31-39: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Strawberry pink for the folded base.
Rows 40-44: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Strawberry pink.
Rows 45-49: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Peach.
Rows 50-54: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Dusty rose.
Rows 55-59: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Ivory.
Rows 60-64: Single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1, turn. (44 sc) Rose pink.
Rows 65-69: Single crochet in each stitch across. Fasten off. (44 sc) Strawberry pink. Back complete.
Checkpoint: Your panel should measure approximately 8 inches or 20.5 cm wide by 11.5 inches or 29 cm long before folding. Fold after Row 39 so each face is approximately 5.5 inches or 14 cm tall.
Side Gussets and Seaming
The side gussets give the purse its boxy depth and continue the horizontal stripe pattern down each side.
Make 2: With strawberry pink, chain 10. Row 1 begins in the 2nd chain from hook. (9 sc)
Rows 1-5: Single crochet across, chain 1, turn. (9 sc) Strawberry pink.
Rows 6-10: Single crochet across, chain 1, turn. (9 sc) Peach.
Rows 11-15: Single crochet across, chain 1, turn. (9 sc) Dusty rose.
Rows 16-20: Single crochet across, chain 1, turn. (9 sc) Ivory.
Rows 21-25: Single crochet across, chain 1, turn. (9 sc) Rose pink.
Rows 26-30: Single crochet across. Fasten off. (9 sc) Strawberry pink.
Seaming Order
1. Fold your main panel with the right side out. Rows 1 through 30 form the front, Rows 31 through 39 form the base, and Rows 40 through 69 form the back.
2. Pin one gusset between the front and back side edges, matching your stripe bands carefully. Whipstitch one long side, across the 9-row base edge, then up the other long side.
3. Repeat on the second side. Weave all ends into the inside. The top remains open.
Checkpoint: Your finished purse body should measure approximately 8 by 5.5 by 1.6 inches or 20.5 by 14 by 4 cm.
Bow Applique and White Points
The bow is the star of this purse. Take your time with these small pieces.
Bow loop: With strawberry pink, chain 22. Rows 1 through 10: single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and across, chain 1, turn. (21 sc) Fasten off after Row 10.
Shape: Weave yarn through the center of the rectangle, cinch tightly, and wrap 10 to 12 times to form the bow center. Secure on the back.
Center band: Chain 7. Rows 1 through 5: single crochet across. (6 sc) Wrap around the center and sew on the back.
Lower red tails (make 2): Chain 8. Row 1: 7 single crochet. Row 2: 7 single crochet. Row 3: sc2tog, single crochet 3, sc2tog. (5 sc) Row 4: 5 single crochet. Row 5: sc2tog, single crochet 1, sc2tog. (3 sc) Row 6: single crochet across. (3 sc) Fasten off.
White points (make 3): Chain 6. Row 1: 5 single crochet. Row 2: sc2tog, single crochet 1, sc2tog. (3 sc) Row 3: sc3tog. (1 sc) Fasten off.
Assembly: Sew the white points behind the bow center, then add the two red tails. Center the bow on the front, approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm below the top edge, and stitch invisibly around the back of the bow.
Handles and Shoulder Cord
The top handles are white and structured. The shoulder cord is pink and softly braided.
Top handles: Make 2 white 4-strand braided cords, each 14 inches or 35.5 cm long after knotting. For extra firmness, use 4 strands of yarn per braid strand.
Handle tabs (make 4 in white): Chain 7. Rows 1 through 8: single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and across, chain 1, turn. (6 sc) Wrap each tab around a handle end and sew the tab base to the purse.
Placement: Place tabs approximately 1.25 inches or 3 cm in from each side edge on the front and back. Sew through the upper 5 rows of the purse body for strength.
Shoulder cord: Make one dusty-rose braided cord 50 to 54 inches or 127 to 137 cm long. Tie or sew one end to each upper side seam. Bury knots inside the purse or cover them with small stitched wraps.
Optional closure: Sew a magnetic snap to a lining before attaching the lining. For a yarn-only closure, add a chain 10 loop at center back and a small button at center front.
Strength tip: For a purse that will carry more than lightweight items, stitch the handle tabs through a fabric lining or a hidden canvas reinforcement patch.
Finishing, Blocking, and Care
Weaving ends: Weave all ends on the inside, following the direction of the stitches. Trim only after the purse has been lightly blocked.
Blocking: Pin the purse body into a rectangle. Steam lightly from above or mist and air dry. Do not press the bow flat.
Lining: Cut two lining rectangles and a narrow side strip to match the finished body. Sew lining by hand just below the top edge, hiding handle-tab stitches.
Base insert: Cut plastic canvas approximately 7.5 by 1.25 inches or 19 by 3 cm. Slide into the bottom before lining for a crisp base.
Care: Spot clean with cool water and mild soap. Reshape while damp. Air dry flat. Avoid heavy soaking if a magnetic snap, lining, or stiffener is used.
Final placement checkpoint: The bow is centered, handle tabs mirror each other, side stripes align, and the purse sits flat without twisting.
Customization Options
Wider purse: Add stitches to the 44-stitch panel count in multiples of 2. The main body and both front/back widths must match.
Taller purse: Add rows evenly to the front and back sections. Repeat the same stripe-row changes on both side gussets.
Deeper purse: Make side gussets wider by adding foundation chains. Add the same number of rows to the base section of the main panel.
Longer strap: Make the shoulder cord longer before knotting. Braided cords shorten slightly as tension settles.
Cleaner stripes: Change colors on the last yarn-over of the previous row. Weave ends into matching colors only.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Edges lean: Count 44 single crochet stitches every row and place the first single crochet into the first stitch, not into the turning chain.
Body feels floppy: Use a smaller hook, choose firmer cotton, add lining, or add a plastic canvas base.
Bow looks flat: Cinch the center tighter and steam only the loop edges, not the center wrap.
Side seams pucker: Pin all stripe joins first, then seam with small, even stitches. Do not over-tighten.
Final Thoughts on the Strawberry Pink Bow Purse Crochet Pattern
This little purse makes such a sweet accessory for spring and summer. The striped body works up quickly in single crochet, and the bow adds just the right amount of charm without being too fussy. I love how the white handles contrast with all those warm pink tones.
Thank you so much for choosing this pattern for your next crochet project. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I enjoyed designing it. If you complete your Strawberry Pink Bow Purse, I would absolutely love to see it. Tag me on Instagram or share a photo in my Facebook group.
If this pattern caught your eye, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start. And please drop a comment below if you make one. I love hearing how your projects turn out and seeing all the color combinations you come up with.
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