Beginner Crossbody Purse: Free Crochet Pattern

This Chic Purple Crossbody Purse is easy to make, so this is a pattern for beginners and more intermediate-advanced crocheters alike! I wear this purse everywhere, both for grocery shopping and walks with friends. It’s just the right size for a phone, wallet, mini-notebook, and something extra like a chapstick or a hand sanitizer container.

For the strap on this purse I used an orange yarn strap because I liked the contrast colors. However, I think this bag would look great with a leather (or fake leather) strap.

Unlike most beginner purse patterns, this purse has a bottom, meaning that it isn’t just two sides seamed together at the ends. This is also all one project, meaning that there is no sewing crochet pieces together involved.

For my birthday, my parents bought me yarn. I used my navy yarn to crochet a hat for my younger brother (free pattern here: https://joy2create.net/2020/12/22/1-hour-easy-winter-hat-free-pattern/) and my cream-colored yarn to crochet a hat for my mother (https://joy2create.net/2020/12/22/comfy-slouch-beanie-hat-free-pattern/). I was left with some purple yarn. At first, I thought of crocheting a hat for myself, but I’d already made one in pink yarn (free pattern here: https://joy2create.net/2020/12/22/1-hour-pretty-winter-hat-free-pattern/). So, I looked through my closet and realized that what I needed was an everyday purse I could wear both fashionably and casually.

And the Chic Purple Crossbody Purse was born!

So, let’s get started with this casual/fancy Chic Purple Crossbody Purse, the free pattern!

Yarn Used: Bernat Softee, Purple (only one skein needed). This pattern uses chunky yarn, which makes it a quicker, thicker project.

Crochet Hook Size: Size 10 (I have a set of bamboo crochet hooks that I switch out according to yarn width. Since I was using chunky yarn for this project, I used my biggest hook.)

Stitches Used: Half double crochet (hdc), slip stitch (sl st).

Timing: 2-3 hours, depending on how advanced/fast of a crocheter you are.

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Here’s the free pattern:

1. Ch 8.
2. Hdc in each ch from hook.
3. Ch 2.
4. Hdc in each ch from hook.
5. *Ch 2.
6. Hdc AROUND strip in each ch from hook.
7. Sl st to join.*
8. Repeat * – * (steps 5 – 7) for 8 rows.
9. ~Ch 2.
10. Hdc in 8 ch from hook.~
11. Repeat ~ – ~ (steps 9 – 10) for 3 rows.
12. Sc in first ch.
13. Ch 2.
14. Hdc in next 6 ch. Turn.
15. Ch 2.
16. Hdc in each ch from hook.
17. Sc in first ch.
18. Ch 2.
19. Hdc in next 4 ch. Turn.
20. Ch 2.
21. Hdc in each ch from hook.
22. Optional: sew on button. I bought a bag of clear buttons because they match everything. Sew the button on the crocheted piece below the opening flap. Since crochet naturally creates holes, you can prick this button through any gap makes sense for you.
23. Optional: line the purse. I had some old bedsheet fabric lying around that I sewed into the purse. To do this, fold a sheet of fabric in half and lay on top of your purse. Trace around the purse, leaving about 1/2 inch extra on every side. Cut out your tracing. Lay inside-out and sew along every edge except the top. Then, sew your lining to your purse. I only sewed the top of the lining to the top of the purse (folding down the edge so that I didn’t have stray threads fraying from it), but you can also sew the lining to the sides and the bottom of the purse if you prefer.
24. Attach a strap. I had a length of hand-knit yarn which I simply tied on either side of the purse. See how the orange contrasts with the purple? I think a fake leather/leather strap would also work really well with this purse.

That’s it for this Chic Purple Crossbody Purse! I hope you liked the free pattern. Comment on this post with compliments, critiques, and photos of your own crocheted purses! Pin this project on Pinterest, too: https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/826480969115854786/

Happy Crocheting!