The Leaping Stripes and Blocks stitch pattern is the star of the Mesmerizing Messenger Bag - which led to requests for a smaller handbag version! And it's so much fun, I had to make 3 just to show off all the looks you can get with the Mesmerizing Mini Bag - the latest free crochet purse pattern here on Moogly!
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This bag works up super fast - make one this afternoon and carry it out tonight! I haven't lined mine, but if you prefer a lining in your crochet bags, there's a great tutorial on how to do so on Pattern Paradise! And while it's mini compared to it's big sister the Messenger Bag, it's still got plenty of room for all your essentials!
Mesmerizing Mini Bag
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US – I, 5.5mm Hook - Furls Fiberarts
150 yards Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (100% acrylic; Aran/10 ply; 170 yds/155 m; 3.53 oz)
Color A - 80 yds
Color B - 35 yds
Color C - 35 yds
Gauge: 14 sts = 4" in hdc
Finished size: 10" wide x 7.5" tall laid flat
Helpful Links and Video Tutorials
Leaping Stripes and Blocks Stitch Pattern
NOTE: You can carry the yarn along the inside of the bag rather than cutting it after each row, if desired.
INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1: With Color A, ch 33, hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc in each remaining ch to end; turn. (32 sts)
Row 2 – 4: Ch 1, hdc in each st across; turn. (32 sts)
Rnd 5: (See Bag Bottoms tutorial linked above) Ch 1, hdc in 32 sts across, hdc 4 along the side, hdc 32 across the foundation chain, hdc 4 up the last side; join with Color B with a sl st in first hdc of round, do not turn. (72 sts)
Rnd 6: Continuing with Color B, ch 2 (does not count as a st, here and throughout pattern), dc in the 1st 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts, *dc in the next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in the 1st dc. (36 dc)
Rnd 7: Ch 4 (counts as a ch 2 to begin the round, and a ch 2 to work over the skipped sts), skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts of Round 5, enclosing the ch-2 from Round 6, *ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts of Round 5 (enclosing the ch-2); repeat from * to end, use Color C to join with a sl st in the ch 4 sp. (36 dc)
Rnd 8: Continuing with Color C, ch 1, dc in the 1st 2 skipped sts (enclosing the ch-2), ch 2, skip 2, *dc in the next 2 sts (enclosing the ch-2), ch 2, skip 2 sts; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in the 1st dc. (36 dc)
Rnd 9: Ch 4, skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts, *ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc 2 in the skipped sts; repeat from * to end, use Color A to join with a sl st in the ch 4 sp. (36 dc)
Rnds 10 and 11: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color A, finishing with Color B.
Rnds 12 and 13: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color B, finishing with Color C.
Rnds 14 and 15: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color C, finishing with Color A.
Rnds 16 and 17: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color A, finishing with Color B.
Rnds 18 and 19: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color B, finishing with Color C, break Color B.
Rnds 20 and 21: Repeat Rounds 8 - 9 with Color C, finishing with Color A, break Color C.
Rnd 22: Continuing with Color A, ch 1, dc in the 1st 2 skipped sts, hdc in the next 2 sts, *dc in the next 2 skipped sts, hdc in the next 2 sts; repeat from * to end, join with a sl st in the 1st dc. (72 sts)
Rnd 23: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with a sl st in 1st sc. (72 sts)
Begin Handles
NOTE: (Individual tension may mean you need to adjust starting and end points as needed to make the handles centered and matched. The following worked for me, use the stitch counts as a guide for your own bag.)
Rnd 24: Ch 1, sc in the 1st 9 sts, ch 14, skip 14 sts, sc in the next 22 sts, ch 14, skip 14 sts, sc in the last 13 sts; join with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round. (72 sts inc chs)
Rnd 25: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch around; join with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round. (72 sts)
Rnds 26 and 27: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with a sl st in the 1st sc of the round. (72 sts)
Rnd 28: Sl st in each st around; break yarn and finish off. (See Seamless Join tutorial linked above)
Quick and easy once you have the stitch pattern down - I made 3 in just a couple of evenings! I hope you enjoy this free crochet bag pattern - let me know what color scheme you choose!
The Fine Print
Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2016, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern. Please do link to this page to share this pattern with others. If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, or translate it to another language, please visit the About page for details. Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for providing the yarn for this pattern!
Rosalee Anderson says
I would like to know what this pattern stitch is called, would like to work it up for a scarf.
Tamara Kelly says
Yes! In fact, I have a scarf pattern that uses this stitch: CLICK HERE 🙂
Darlene says
I really like this (and the messenger bag). But I like my purses a bit bigger than this but smaller than the messenger. Is this a repeat of 4 stitches and two rows? or 8 stitches? I was trying to figure out how to make this more like 11 or 12 by 9 or 10. You always have just great patterns! Thanks,
Tamara Kelly says
It's a repeat of 4 sts! 🙂 Sorry I missed your comment earlier!
Darlene says
Thanks! I just noticed your reply! I had put this on the back burner, but now you made it move up again.
Angela says
I loved this pattern and made myself a bag today. I added 3 more rows to make it a bit deeper, but it's absolutely adorable. I'd love to share a picture with you, but I don't know how!
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 Thank you, I'm so glad you like it! You can share photos on the Moogly Facebook page, or on Ravelry!
RANDI says
I can't get the "print friendly" button to work for this pattern. It works for your other patterns.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Randi! It's a plugin that automatically posts on each pattern, so it's hard to say why you're having trouble. When it's being finicky, I recommend opening another tab to PrintFriendly.com and enter the pattern URL there. Sometimes tech just gets a bit peevish!
rANDI says
Also, this comment section won't let me type lower case for my name and email, just the comment itself. Funny
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Randi! Email address aren't case sensitive, so often forms just default to all caps. 🙂
Shannon says
Love the pattern. Plan on making several as Bible carriers - perfect sizes! Your videos are also a great help. Thanks!!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Shannon!
Shannon says
Just finished my first bag!! Looks fantastic!! I used navy blue, grey, and white. I also used part of Priscilla Hewitt's crochet case pattern (Priscilla crochet.net) to make pen pockets in grey and I sewed them inside the bag. Thanks Tamara for a great pattern that looks amazing!!
Tamara Kelly says
🙂 Thank you so much Shannon!
Pattie says
Hi Tamara, love this stitch. So quick to work up. Great effect! I'll send a pic, but looks exactly like you purple one! Same colors.
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you so much Pattie!
Cindy says
Thanks so much for the cute pattern, quick to make and nice for summer, I made mine in turquoise, hot pink, and white..love it!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you Cindy!
Kathy says
Love the bag. Just would like it bigger. How can I adjust the pattern to make the bag larger?
Tamara Kelly says
Just add any multiple of 2 to the starting chain - since you work in both sides, that will add 4 sts to the bottom, and it's a 4 st repeat! 🙂 Just be sure to play with stitch markers to adjust the handles so they're in the right spot and match up.
gargi says
can you please tell me how many chains i need to put to make coin purse or money purse?
is it multiple of 2 + 1?
so 26 + 1 = 27 chains
Tamara Kelly says
Yes, you are correct. 🙂
Lisa says
Love this mini bag. WHat are your thoughts using 100% cotton yarn? Wanting more support than acrylic.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Lisa! I think it would be fine! 🙂
Wyona says
Love this bag but am having trouble. After row 7 it looks like ja canoe. Can’t figure out what. Is wrong. Can you please help.?
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you! I'm not sure what you're saying though. Canoe doesn't sound too far off...
Jess Poirier says
Thanks for the awesome pattern. I just love making bag!
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much, Jess, I'm so glad you like it!
Becca says
Hi is there a video for this bag?
Tamara Kelly says
Not for this bag specifically, but there are several linked above that demo different parts of the pattern. 🙂
Ellen says
I love this pattern, it is so easy and after a few can be mindless. Have been making them while hubby has PT and so far the receptionists have been gifted 5 of them (one has daughters) plus a few to friends. Everyone says they make great makeup bags. I used a lucet fork to make a cord and also lined one, so it is now a small purse for me. By the way, 72 is divisible by 2, 3 or 4, so some of the bags have pattern changes because it is fun to do so.
Tamara Kelly says
♥ Thank you so much Ellen!