Crochet Lunch Bag (or Kids Purse) - Free Pattern

This quick, sturdy cotton bag makes a perfect crochet lunch bag or purse for a child. Get the free pattern below. Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here. 

Thanks to Lion Brand Yarns for providing the yarn for this free kid's crochet purse or lunchbox pattern. This post contains affiliate links.

Welcome back to the Make & Do Crew guest designer series. While I'm getting to know the newest baby in our family, Tae from Tying An End is sharing her free kid's crochet purse and lunchbox pattern with us today! You can see lots of of Tae's crochet patterns her blog, Tying An End and Etsy. And be sure to check her out on social media too: Instagram and Facebook. Tae, take it away!

The Inspiration for My Crochet Lunch Bag Pattern

I have a day job where I usually bring my own lunch. I wish I made 6 figures so I could order delicious food from nearby restaurants and didn't need to worry about how much I spend, but that's not how it's gonna work.

I used to carry my lunch in one of those typical plastic shopping bags. As we all know, those plastic bags do not last that long. After several times using them, they start to tear and rip. I almost lost my chopsticks because it dropped through a hole.

I pretty much got sick of using the plastic bag to carry my lunch, so I switched to a small bag that my sister was not using. I wish the bag was blue because that's my favorite color, but it was pink because that's her favorite color.

Recently I’ve been more aware about our environment. I used to drink water from plastic bottles instead of using my own water bottle. I used to get plastic bags for shopping when I could just carry items in my bag. There are many other action steps that we can do to save our environment, and they can be small action, one step at a time.

I know it’s not easy to completely stop using plastics; it’s definitely hard for me. I hope this bag can help reduce the need to use a plastic bag!

A Crochet Lunch Bag Pattern That'll Expand Your Skills

This pattern requires basic skills of crochet and little bit more advanced knowledge. Since it’s a bag with a flat bottom, you also need to know how to crochet in round.

Typically when working in round, it calls out to work in both loops, but I find working in front loop only makes the finished piece look much cleaner. Also by trying out my pattern, you will learn how working in the front loops looks different than and back loops.

Machine Washable Yarn is a Must

I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn, and I love it! It is 100% mercerized cotton so it’s smooth, doesn't pill, and great colors even after multiple wash cycles. I wanted the yarn to be machine wash friendly as well as firm and sturdy in the finished piece, and this yarn is perfect for that. I know this bag will go through the wash multiple times so I wanted the bag to be easy to take care of.

What I also love about this yarn is the color options. There are 24 color options available and you would need to choose 2 colors for this pattern, so that means there are 300 color combinations to choose from! That’s a lot of options! I had hard time choosing the colors for myself because I wanted to try every other color. With this wide range of color options to choose from, I’m sure you can find the color combination you like.

More Free Crochet Bag + Purse Patterns

From modern granny square bags to mesh market totes to circle purses, we've got lots more free crochet bag patterns for you to enjoy. With sturdy straps and stylish details, you might just become a crochet bag-a-holic.

See more free crochet bags & purses patterns →

Everyday Lunch Bag
Free Crochet Pattern

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Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here. 

Purchase this pattern on Etsy here. 

Explanation:
I used to carry my lunch box in a plastic shopping bag. It only lasted for short period of time, so I needed a bag that would fit my lunch box as well as looking stylish. Also I wanted to help save our planet one step at a time by switching from plastic bag to more eco friendly bag. Now I introduce you Everyday Lunch Bag! It is made with 24/7 Cotton from Lion Brand, which is mercerized cotton with soft, smooth texture and great color options! This bag is made with 2 strands so you can mix 2 different colors or go simple solid color. If you know the basics of crochet, it should be fairly easy! Level: Advanced-Beginner ~ Intermediate

Supplies:
• Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton (weight: 4/medium - 186 yards, 3.5 oz)
Pictured below:
- Aqua (#761-102) - 2 balls
- White (#761-100) - 2 balls
• Size H (5.5 mm) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors

Sizes/Measurements:
• 6" by 4.5", 8.75" tall

Gauge:
• 16 SC x 15 Rows = 4" x 4"

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
CH - chain stitch
SC - single crochet
HDC - half double crochet
DC - double crochet
FPTC - front post treble crochet
FLO - front loop only
BLO - back loop only
SL ST - slip stitch

Overall Pattern Notes:
• You will be working with 2 strands together for the base and handle. Only 1 strand for the cover.

• You will be working with joined rounds.

• Number in [ ] indicates number of stitches in that round/row.

• CH 2 in beginning of each round (Round 9~18 of base and Round 1~16 of cover) DOES NOT count as HDC.

• I recommend leaving a stitch marker on each corner so that you can tell easily where the corner is.

• A bag will stretch out so if you use container little bigger than 6"x4.5", it shouldn't be much of a problem. --- I normally use 4 cup (6.25" diameter at top) Pyrex container and it fits comfortably.

• It will comfortably close with item(s) 5" tall.

• To make a bag bigger, make more rounds after Round 8 of base.

• To make a bag taller, make more rounds (even number of rounds) after Round 9 of cover.

Base

- Ch 9

Round 1: 3 SC FLO in 2nd CH from hook (2nd SC makes the 1st corner). SC FLO 6. 5 SC in last CH (2nd SC makes the 2nd corner and 4th SC makes 3rd corner). SC BLO 6. 2 SC BLO in the same stitch you made 1st SC FLO of the round (2nd SC makes the 4th corner). SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [22]

Round 2: CH 1. SC FLO. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO)* SC FLO 8. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 1. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 8. Repeat * 1 time. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [30]

​Round 3: CH 1. SC FLO 2. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO) in CH 1 FLO* SC FLO 10. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 3. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 10. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [38]

Round 4: CH 1. SC FLO 3. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO) in CH 1 FLO* SC FLO 12. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 5. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 12. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 2. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [46]

Round 5: CH 1. SC FLO 4. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO) in CH 1 FLO* SC FLO 14. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 7. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 14. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 3. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [54]

Round 6: CH 1. SC FLO 5. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO) in CH 1 FLO* SC FLO 16. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 9. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 16. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 4. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [62]

Round 7: CH 1. SC FLO 6. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO) in CH 1 FLO* SC FLO 18. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 11. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 18. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 5. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [70]

Round 8: CH 1. SC FLO 7. (SC FLO, CH 1, SC FLO) in CH 1 FLO* SC FLO 20. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 13. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 20. Repeat * 1 time. SC FLO 6. SL ST FLO in 1st SC. [78]

Round 9~18: CH 2. HDC BLO around. SL ST in 1st HDC. [78]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Cover

- Insert a hook in 3rd loop from Round 17 and pick up a loop with Color A (see photo above)

Round 1: CH 2. HDC around in 3rd loop. SL ST in 1st HDC. [78] (See first photo below.)

Round 2: With Color B, CH 2. HDC around. SL ST in 1st HDC. [78] *Do not cut Color A yarn

Round 3: With Color A, CH 2. HDC around. SL ST in 1st HDC. [78] *Do not cut Color B yarn

Round 4~9: Repeat Round 2 & 3. [78]

Round 10: Repeat Round 2. [78]

Round 11: With Color A, CH 2. HDC. (FPTC in Round 9. Skip next stitch. HDC 5)* Repeat * 12 times. HDC 4. SL ST in 1st HDC. [78] (See second photo below.)

Round 12~15: Repeat Round 2 & 3. [78]

Round 16: Repeat Round 2. [78]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Handle

-CH 6

Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook. SC across. [5]

Row 2: Turn. CH 1. SC across. [5]

Row 3~50: Repeat Row 2. [5]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Cord

- Measure and cut 32" long. 3 each for both colors. (total 6 strands)

- With 2 of Color A and 1 of Color B, make a braid. Make another braid with remaining strands.

Assembly

Cord: Insert 1 cord through FPTC. Tie a knot at center of short side of the base. Insert another one and tie a knot at the center of opposite side. (See photo above.)

Handle: Seam short edge of the handle to Round 16 of cover. Starting from 2nd HDC of Round 16 of cover, seam together 5 stitches. Skip next 34 stitches. Seam together next 5 stitches. Make sure to seam several times, especially the corners of handle, so it's nice and sturdy. Also, make sure that handle is aligned center of short side of the base. (See photo below.) If you made the base bigger, seam does start at 2nd HDC because joins gradually shift to right. (For example, if you added 2 more rounds for base, you seam at 92nd HDC of Round 16 of cover, which is 2 stitches to the right)

Thanks again to Tae of TyingAnEnd.com for sharing this free kid's crochet purse and lunchbox pattern! Be sure to check out Tae's blog for lots more free modern crochet patterns!

More Free Crochet Patterns for Bags + Purses

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• Crochet Tote Bag Free Pattern - with leather handles
• Finger Crochet Bag Pattern + Video - no hook, no problem!
• Free Crochet Bag Pattern For Beginners - very simple construction
• Crochet Festival Purse Pattern - circle purse with style galore

More Free Modern Crochet Patterns for Kids

If you’re interested in more free crochet patterns for babies and kids, here are a few of the most loved by M&DC crocheters.

1. 1 Hour Beanie - This slightly slouchy easy child’s crochet hat pattern works up in about an hour and is perfect for beginners because it’s made from a simple rectangle.

2. Tributary Blanket -By combining luxuriously-textured Lion Brand Baby Soft Boucle yarn with your favorite shade of Mandala yarn, you’ll create an extremely soft, machine washable and visually-stunning baby blanket in no time.

3. Grandmother's Flower Garden Blanket -  Inspired by vintage quilt patterns, this Grandmother’s Flower Garden crochet blanket pattern is perfect to make from deconstructed yarn cakes or your scrap stash.

4. XO Sweater - Believe it or not, this four-season child’s crochet cardigan pattern is made from two simple hexagons!