EVERY CROCHET Bags & Purses 9 rounds No account, no download
Sunflower crochet crossbody bag with floral applique
Sunflower crochet bag worked mainly in single crochet (UK double crochet); US and UK terms given once.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 6-9 hours
- Yarn weight
- Worsted
- Hook
- 4 mm
Intermediate
What the original write-up called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Worsted
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
6-9 hours
What the original page reckoned. Your own pace is the one that matters.
About this pattern
This pattern produces a small crossbody purse with a rectangular body, a side gusset for depth, and an oversized sunflower applique with layered petals, a textured centre, and leaf accents on the front flap. Construction uses separate panels joined together, worked mainly in single crochet (UK double crochet) and half double crochet with a 4 mm hook, suiting an intermediate maker comfortable with assembly and sewing on a multi-part motif.
This sunflower crochet bag is a small, structured crossbody purse built almost entirely from single crochet (UK double crochet), the dense, low-profile stitch family that gives panels their firm, fabric-like hand. Half double crochet appears in the side gusset for a slightly taller, more open texture. Together these stitches create a sturdy pouch capable of holding its shape without stiffening or interfacing, which suits the bag's compact scale and the weight of the oversized sunflower applique sitting on the front panel.
The bag is constructed from separate panels rather than one continuous piece: two main body rectangles worked flat, plus a long side gusset strip that is joined around the edges to create depth for the pouch. This panel method keeps edges clean and gives a firm foundation for attaching the layered sunflower applique, leaves, and strap, which are worked separately and sewn on once the body is assembled.
Materials
Deep green
- approximately 140 yards (128 meters)
Golden yellow
- approximately 100 yards (91 meters)
Brown
- approximately 50 yards (46 meters)
- Accent color for edging: approximately 60 yards (55 meters)
- 4 mm (US G/6) crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers
- Optional fabric lining
- Optional magnetic snap closure
The list is the pattern's own wording.
Instructions
Every round is printed as the pattern wrote it, brackets and all. Open the key beside a round to see only the short forms that round uses.
Main Pattern
- Round 1
Sc in second ch from hook and across. Turn. (36 sts)
Key2
- ch
- chain
- sc
- single crochet
- Round 2
Ch 1, sc across. Turn. (36 sts) Repeat Row 2 until you have completed 30 rows. Fasten off.
Key2
- ch
- chain
- sc
- single crochet
You should have two matching rectangles measuring approximately 8 x 6 inches (20 x 15 cm).
Side Gusset
Use accent color yarn.
Ch 9.
- Round 1
Hdc in second ch from hook and across. Turn. (8 sts)
Key2
- hdc
- half double crochet
- ch
- chain
- Round 2
32 Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (8 sts) This strip creates the bottom and side depth of the purse.
Key2
- hdc
- half double crochet
- ch
- chain
Flower Center
Use brown yarn.
Magic ring.
- Round 1
Ch 1, work 10 sc into ring. Join with sl st. (10 sts)
Key4
- sl st
- slip stitch
- ch
- chain
- sc
- single crochet
- st
- stitch
- Round 2
Ch 1, 2 sc in each stitch around. Join. (20 sts)
Key2
- ch
- chain
- sc
- single crochet
- Round 3
Ch 1, sc around. Join. (20 sts)
Key2
- ch
- chain
- sc
- single crochet
Crochet Strap
Use green or accent yarn.
Ch 121.
- Round 1
Hdc in second chain from hook and across. Turn. (120 sts)
Key1
- hdc
- half double crochet
- Rounds 2–3
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. Fasten off and sew each end securely to the inside sides of the bag.
Key2
- hdc
- half double crochet
- ch
- chain
Special Stitch
Petal Cluster: In the same stitch, work (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc). This creates a pointed decorative petal shape used for the sunflower.
Sunflower Petals
Join yellow yarn.
Attach yarn to any stitch around the center.
Work one petal cluster in each stitch around.
After completing 20 petal clusters, join with sl st.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Leaf Motifs
Make 4 leaves using green yarn.
Ch 8.
Sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next stitch, dc in next 3 stitches, hdc in next stitch, sc in last stitch.
Turn and work the same stitches along the opposite side of the chain.
Join with sl st and fasten off.
Attach Flower and Leaves
Position the sunflower in the center of the front panel.
Arrange leaves around the flower edges.
Sew each piece securely using matching yarn.
Check that all decorative pieces are firmly attached before using the bag.
Making up
- Step 1Light blocking helps the crochet panels relax and creates a cleaner finished shape. Pin the pieces carefully and allow them to dry completely before assembly.
- Step 2Important: Always check the yarn care label before washing your handmade crochet bag. Cotton and cotton blends often respond well to gentle hand washing and air drying.
- Step 3After completing the bag, weave in all loose ends securely. A neat interior makes the project look more professional and helps the bag last longer.
Notes from the pattern
- Use the single 4 mm (US G/6) hook throughout, including the smaller Flower Centre rounds, so the sunflower motif stays in proportion to the body panels.
- Place a stitch marker at the start of each round when working the Flower Centre, since its rounds are joined with a slip stitch rather than worked continuously, and it is easy to lose the start point.
- Keep tension firm and even across both body panels so the two rectangles each reach the approximate 8 x 6 inch (20 x 15 cm) measurement before they are joined.
The essentials
- Rounds
- 9
- Parts
- 8
- Level
- Intermediate
- Time
- 6-9 hours
- Hook
- 4 mm
- Yarn
- Worsted
Stitches you will use
- Working flat rectangular panels in single crochet Used for the two Main Pattern body panels; watch for keeping the 36-stitch count consistent across all 30 rows so the edges stay straight before blocking.
- Joining a side gusset in half double crochet (UK half treble) Used for the Side Gusset strip that shapes the bottom and sides; watch for keeping the 8-stitch width even along all 32 rows so the corners sit square.
- Working increases in continuous joined rounds Used for the Flower Centre, where Round 2 doubles the stitch count; watch for spacing increases evenly so the circle lies flat rather than cupping.
Troubleshooting
The two body panels come out different sizes.
This usually comes from uneven tension between work sessions; check the stitch count after every few rows and block both panels to the same 8 x 6 inch (20 x 15 cm) size before joining.
The sunflower centre domes instead of lying flat.
Uneven increases in Round 2 are the likely cause; make sure all 10 stitches are increased into evenly so the centre reaches 20 stitches and spreads flat before the petals are attached.
The side gusset puckers at the bag's corners.
Puckering comes from joining the gusset strip too tightly to the body panels; ease it in gently and check that the gusset keeps its 8-stitch width along the full 32-row length.
Substituting yarn
- DK weight cotton
- Produces a smaller, crisper bag with less drape; use a 3.5 mm hook and expect to need more yardage than listed to cover the same panel size.
- Aran weight acrylic or acrylic blend
- Gives a larger, softer bag with more give; move up to a 4.5-5 mm hook and the panels will come out bigger than the stated 8 x 6 inch (20 x 15 cm) size.
- Cotton-acrylic blend at the same weight as specified
- Keeps panel size and hook close to the original but adds some stretch resistance, which helps if an optional fabric lining or magnetic snap closure is used.
Washing and care
- Hand wash the finished bag gently if it is made in cotton or a cotton blend, since these fibres respond well to this treatment; avoid the washing machine, which can distort the dense panels.
- Lay the bag flat to air dry and reshape the panels and sunflower petals by hand while still damp, then store the empty bag loosely stuffed with tissue or fabric to help it keep its rectangular shape.
FAQs
Questions
What size hook does this sunflower crochet bag use?
The pattern calls for a single 4 mm (US G/6) hook throughout, used for the body panels, side gusset, strap, and all sunflower motif pieces. No hook changes are needed between sections.
Can the bag be made bigger or smaller?
Yes; width can be increased by adding stitches to the starting chain in multiples of 2, and height can be adjusted by working additional rows on the body panels. The side gusset and flower pieces would need matching adjustments.
Why are the body and gusset worked as separate panels instead of one piece?
Working separate panels gives cleaner edges on the finished bag and makes it easier to attach the sunflower applique and leaves securely once the main shape is joined. It also simplifies blocking each piece to size.
Does the bag need a lining or closure?
A fabric lining and a magnetic snap closure are both listed as optional extras rather than required materials. The bag can be finished as a simple unlined pouch if preferred.
How is the sunflower motif attached to the front panel?
The Flower Centre, petals, and leaf motifs are worked as separate pieces first, then sewn onto the front panel as a final assembly step. This happens once the body panels have been blocked and joined.
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.