Monday, 18 May 2026

A NEAT LITTLE CLUTCH PURSE - a very simple crochet clutch purse

NEAT LITTLE CLUTCH PURSE - free crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet
A gorgeous crochet clutch bag that is perfect for a party when made in the right thread or for an afternoon out. This is the right size and a really easy going pattern.
So you just gotta take my word for it and try this pattern out yourself. 🤷🏻‍♀️

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”.  

How labels work : All patterns under a similar label can be found together so when you click on the label for say "crochet baby dress pattern", all my baby dress patterns are available - so scroll down to the very bottom and click on "Older Posts" to move onto the next post in the series. Before you reach that you have several other ways to find my blogs including blog links at the bottom of this blog
For your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram
Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest and if you are looking for more bags then come here 
All my blogs can be printed.  Find the print friendly (green) link on the right of this blog.  You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.
Remember that you only print if absolutely essential.  Save paper – Save Our Earth.

Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation. 

Just copy the link on the search bar on the top of your screen - that's the blog URL.

To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon.  While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well. 

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me.  Cheers.


Materials used : Today I’ve used some Indian purse acrylic yarn , with a 3.75 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends stitch markers ; embroidery needle.
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros or unbranded knitting cotton as well
General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.
Skill level : Intermediate

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
What is a chain stitch ?  https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 

yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Pattern Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
We start this pattern at the base and work in rounds to reach the height you want.
Here are some things to keep in mind
1) Decide on the height you want for your bag
2) Decide on how wide / long you want your base
 
Important note : I am writing the pattern for my yarn. You may not have a similar yarn and/or yarn that is not as thick/thin, but you still want to work this pattern. 
You can. So the two points above are very important as you need to decide when you need to stop the base pattern and start on the body pattern.
I may work a different number of rounds to get to the size I want - so in my pattern, I am not going to tell you how many rounds you must do - you work till you get the size you want.
All you need to keep in mind is the stitch count that I will tell you for the body of the bag. That is non-negotiable.
I was inspired by this pattern and these are my notes for what I have done

Here's how we work a fsc row , turn around and work along the bottom. In case this video does not come on, please go to https://youtu.be/DwkKgtGaJMY

Part 1 : We start at the base
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M 

What is a crochet slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Start Row / Round 1 : with 20 fsc. 
We will now make our fsc row into a round. Turn at the end of the row and work 2 sc in the 1st fsc; then work 1 sc in each fsc till the last st ; 
work 3 sc in the last fsc and turn to work in the lower part of the fsc ;
work 1 sc in each fsc around the bottom till you reach the 1st fsc ;
work 1 sc in the last fsc and join with a sl-st to the 1st st
Before you move on, let's place markers in the 2nd st of each 3-sc set in the two corners. They mark the center of the two ends.
fsc start with sc all around
Round 2 : sc in each sc till one st before the marked st ; (2 sc in the st before the marked st ; 1 sc in the marked st ; 2 sc in the next st) ;
work 1 sc in each sc till one st before the next marked st and rep (to) once ; 
join with a sl-st to the 1st st.
Move markers to the centre st again.

Round 3 : sc in each sc till two sts before the marked st ; (2 sc in the st before the marked st ; 1 sc in the marked st ; 2 sc in the next st) ;
work 1 sc in each sc till two sts before the next marked st and rep (to) once ; 
join with a sl-st to the 1st st.
Move markers to the centre st again.
base complete

width just under 3"length about 6"
Rep Round 3 till you get the width or length you need for the base (photos for reference)
base and then start of body pattern

Part 2 : Body of the bag
The pattern for our body is simple. Its (2 dc ; ch 1, 2 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp.
For convenience, let's call this our Shell Stitch (Shell st)
Before we start our body, we need to get the stitch count right.
Our stitch count for the body pattern needs to be in multiples of 3
Before we start Body Round 1, ensure you have the stitch count right.
You may need to add a st or two - so do that now.

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); 

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo 

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc. 

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0 

Body Round 1 : Shell st in the 1st st ;
(sk next 2 sts, Shell st in the next st) ;
rep (to) all around ;
and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Body Round 2 : sl-st into the ch-1 sp of the 1st Shell st ;
Shell st in the same 1st ch-1 sp ;
(sk next 2 sts, Shell st in the ch-1 sp) ;
rep (to) all around ;
and join with a sl-st to the 1st st.
body pattern detail
and that's our pattern done !
Rep Body Round 2 till you get the height you want for your bag.
Remember that we have a few rows of work that we add to the top while shaping the bag. However they are decorative only. Ensure that you work the pattern for the depth you want (check that your mobile phone and other party essentials will fit in) before you decide on working on the top portion.
The place / point that you end your pattern will be where you attach your zipper or magnetic button. 

Before we start reducing for the top, here's another idea.
In case you like the shelled pattern, just continue all the way to the length you need, and finish it off
Maybe adding a neat (plastic/wooden) handle to the top will cinch it up and give it a great look too.

Single crochet 2-together : sc 2-tog :  

Insert hk into st, yo and pull up a lp (2 lps on hk) ; insert hk into next sc, yo and pull up a lp (3 lps on hk); yo and draw through all 3 lps.  One sc 2-tog complete.  Visit this video tutorial at https://youtu.be/whlsMemDHLc

Half double crochet 2-tog : hdc 2-tog : [yo, insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp] (3 lps on hk) ; insert hk in st or ch-sp, yo and pull up a lp (4 lps on hk) ; yo, draw through all 4 lps on hk.  One hdc 2-tog made.

Check the video tutorial at https://youtu.be/jdaXTr7Lcig

I've decided to work hdc as my yarn is thin - choose sc or hdc 2-tog as it suits your yarn thickness.


Top decreases :
Decrease Round 1 : Sl-st till the dc before the 1st ch-1 sp ;
*(hdc 2-tog over the dc and ch-1 sp) ;
sk next dc , [hdc 2-tog over the next dc and the sp between 2 shells]* ;
rep *to* all around 
and join to the 1st st with a sl-st

Decrease Round 2 : hdc in the 1st 3 sts ;
*hdc 2-tog over the next 2 sts ;
hdc in the next 3 sts* ;
rep *to* all around 
and join to the 1st st with a sl-st (42 sts)
Place a marker for convenience on both ends as we'll come down to work the other side from here

We will now work in rows (so for the 1st 21 sts only)
Decrease Row 3 : hdc in the 1st 21 sts.  Turn

Decrease Row 4 : hdc 2-tog over the 1st 2 sts ;
hd in each st till the 2nd last st ;
hdc 2-tog over the last 2 sts.  Turn

Decrease Rows 5 - 6 : Rep Decrease Row 4

When you finish Row 6, sl-st down the side till you reach Row 3 (marked st)
Rep Decrease Rows 3 - 6 for the other side.

In our final round, we'll work a Large Shell Stitch (which is 7 dc in all in the same st)
You will be at one end of the row when you finish.
Sc in that st, turn your work so you can work your 1st Large Shell st along the diagonal (or that part going down to Row 3). Find the middle of this part and work 7 dc in that middle st ;
sc in the marked st of Row 2 ;
find the middle in the next diagonal and work 7 dc in that st ;
sc in the top right hand corner st of Row 6 (the other side of your work) ;
(sk 2 sts, sc in the next st ;
sk next st, 7 dc in the next st) ;
rep (to) once 
you are now 3 sts from the other end of the row, 
sk 2 sts, sc in the last st of this row ;
find the middle in the next diagonal and work 7 dc in that st ;
sc in the top right hand corner st of Row 6 (the front side of your work) ;
rep (to) 2 times ;
and join with a sl-st to the 1st st
top border patterntop border pattern detail
This pattern can be used in several different ways.  I can see myself making a coin purse, a small purse to carry keys and a bit of money when I go out on my walk.. and maybe a small clutch purse too.
All I'd do is decide the length and breadth of my creation and work with a start in even numbers.

Finishing :
NEAT LITTLE CLUTCH PURSE  all doneyet another view of  NEAT LITTLE CLUTCH PURSE all done

Once you have completed the basic bag, you could use the links below to work the finishing.
a)   How to line the bag : here
bag lined with a magnetic button catch
b)    How to attach a zipper : here
Oh I have not used a zipper.. I lined the bag and added a magnet catch

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did..come back right here for more freebie patterns 

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.  
 
I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation.  Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/

 
Join me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shyamanivas 

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas


Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/

Have a great day and see you soon. 

If you'd like  to check out some of my other bag patterns, here goes


















































































































No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Do tell me what you think. Cheers