Fall in Bloom Bag

Some of my favorite things: A country road. An enchanting fall day. My fun loving daughter in law, Katie, and this beautiful Fall in Bloom Bag.

I love a good granny square and this variation is one of my favorites. I’ve taken the same puff stitch from my popular Sunflower Bag and used it for three squishy rows of petals, creating this highly textured block.

I’m using my most favorite “guilty pleasure” yarn: the Rios line from Malabrigo. This is a worsted weight #4 yarn but is a little bit thinner than the worsted weight acrylic yarn you might be used to. You can find Marlabrigo yarn in your favorite local yarn shop or on Amazon. Every color in the line speaks to my crocheter’s heart.

This time around I’m using Winter Lake color. In real life it looks just like my autumn photos: a dusky blue that leans towards gray with flecks of purple. In other light it looks more gray. But seriously.. just go to your favorite local yarn store and pick up some of this super wash Merino wool. You’ll have a hard time deciding on just one color way!

I also love this yarn for lightweight hats like my I Wish You Were Beer hat. A small project is also a nice way to indulge in a splurgy high quality yarn without investing in a sweater level project.

This is a bit of a flexible bag, however. You can use a different weight yarn and the bag will stay in proportion. Just keep in mind it will likely be a little bigger or smaller than mine if you use a different yarn and may require more yarn.

You can also crochet the purse handles instead of purchasing leather handles as I did. If you want to go that route, pop over to the Sunflower Bag pattern and follow the instructions there. My crochet spiral handle would be a lovely option too.

I had as much fun photographing this bag as I did crocheting it! My son Matthew, daughter in law Katie and I jumped in the car on a sunny fall weekend morning. We found a beautiful country road near our home where a canopy of trees covered the street in all the glorious shades of autumn.

While my son minded the car parked in a farmer’s field, Katie and I went on an adventure.. in the cornfield, in the street, by the side of the road as leaves softly fell around us. She was full of smiles and giggles and I was snapping photos with wild abandon!

It was lovely.

Katie brings such joy to our lives with her beautiful smile and positive spirit. I feel like her love of life comes right through the photos to the screen! This was such a fun day and I’m so happy to share it with all of you!

I’m also so much in love with this darling handbag so let’s dive into the pattern!

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Fall in Bloom Bag Crochet Pattern

Materials

• 380 Yards #4 Worsted Weight Yarn (lightweight). Sample used Malabrigo Rios Yarn in 846 Winter Lake Color. Purchase from a local yarn shop like Spun (they ship!) or you can find on Amazon.
• US G6/4.00 mm crochet hook these are my absolute favorite hooks I recommend to everyone!)
• 20″ Leather Purse Straps
• Tapestry needle and scissors
• Optional: Fabric, interfacing, thread for lining bag, if desired
• Optional: Blocking Board (can use alternative methods for blocking, if desired)

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

Gauge:

To work a gauge swatch, crochet a square, block and measure it (see notes in pattern on how to block the squares).  Using yarn indicated, my square measures 4 inches x 4 inches.  However, you can substitute a thinner or thicker yarn for a smaller or larger bag (you may need to adjust the yarn quantity accordingly)

Resources and crochet tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart.  Find links to stitches and basic crochet skills on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches such as the slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet stitch and chain stitch used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.

Crochet Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sc = single crochet
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch(es)
• tr = treble crochet

Special Stitches

Puff Stitch:  Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop to the height of a double crochet (3 loops on hook).  Then yarn over again and insert hook into the same stitch and pull up another loop ( 5 loops on hook).  Yarn over again, insert hook into the same space and pull up another loop.  (7 loops on hook).  Pull yarn through all loops. Chain 1 to lock in the stitch.

Partial Puff Stitch:  The first puff stitch in each row starts with a ch 1 to help bring the top of the puff stitch to the proper level.  The rest of the stitch is worked as a normal puff stitch.

Finished Bag Size

The finished bag is 15” wide by 11” tall (excluding the handles) or 18” tall with the handles.

Puff Flower Square (Make 17)

Make a magic ring

R1: 8 sc in magic ring, join with sl st to top of starting sc (8 st).

R2: Ch 1, work puff stitch in 1^st st, *puff stitch in next stitch.  Repeat from * around.  Join with slip stitch to top of 1^st puff. (8 puff st)

R3: Sl st into first sp between puff stitches, ch 1, work 2 puff stitches in same space, *2 puff stitches in next space.  Repeat from * around.  Join with slip stitch to top of 1^st puff. (16 puff st)

R4: Sl st into first sp between puff stitches, ch 1, work 2 puff stitch in same space, 1 puff stitch in the next space, *2 puff stitches in next space, 1 puff stitch in the next space.  Repeat from * around.  Join with slip stitch to top of 1^st puff. (24 puff st)

R5: Sl st into 1^st ch space between puff stitches, ch1, 2 hdc in the same space, (hdc, dc) in next space, (2dc) in next space, (2tr, ch 2, 2tr) in next space (1^st corner made), *(2dc) in next space, (dc, hdc) in next space, (2 hdc) in next space, (hdc, dc) in next space, (2dc in next space, (2tr, ch 2, 2tr) in next space (corner made).  Repeat from * twice, then 2dc in next space, (dc, hdc) in next space, join with a sl st to top of 1^st st to join.

Block Squares

Wet squares and block them.  I like to use this blocking board I purchased on Amazon.  However, you can pin them to a foam board instead.  This helps get the blocks to be perfectly square.

Join Squares

Sew the blocks for the bag together using a whip stitch and sewing through the back loop only, following the diagram below:

Once the squares are sewn together in the same shape as the diagram, refer to the arrows to fold the purse in half and join the sides.  I found it easiest to fold in the bottom center first.  

Crochet the Border

This bag features a simple single crochet border and then purchased purse handles are sewn in place.  

It’s important to be a bit flexible when working the border. Working across the “V” shape at the center front and back and the sides can be especially tricky. What is most important is to keep an eye on this area as you work. If you find your work is not laying flat and is a bit too full, then work an extra decrease in that spot.

R1:  Join yarn with a slip stitch to the square closest to the right side of the bag.  I like to attach my slip stitch to a stitch that is about 4 or 5 stitches from side itself.  Ch 1 and work single crochet stitches around the top edge of the bag, working 2 sc stitches in the top corners of each square (where the handles will eventually be placed).  

When you come to a “V” (at the center front and either side of the bag), work a single crochet decrease.  You may work the decrease over 2 or 3 stitches.  Try one way and continue to work sc in the next several stitches and then see how your work lays.  If you don’t like the look, go back and try the other way.  

Be consistent.  The decreases on either side of the bag should be the same and the decrease in the front center and back center of the bag should be the same for each row. At the end of the round, join with a sl st to the start of the 1st sc in the round.

R2: ch 1 and sc around top of bag as in previous row.  At end of round, join with an invisible join (or a regular sl st if you prefer) to the 1^st sc in the row.

Weave in any ends.

Bag Lining

Lining the bag is optional. If you do not wish to make a lining, just skip to the section on handles below.

I like lining my crochet bags because it reduces stretching.  If you are making a lining, do so first before sewing the handles in place.  That way the handles sewn right through the crochet and fabric lining are nice and secure! However, if you prefer, you can just sew the handles on to the bag itself.

Pop over to my post on how to line a crochet bag for the complete lining instructions.

MORE CROCHET BAG PATTERNS

If you love the Fall in Bloom Bag, you might also like to check out these other free bag patterns.  You can find all our Free Crochet Bag Patterns here.

Sweet Dahlia Bag // Wander Bloom Bag // Titan Tapestry Bag

Attaching the Bag Handles

The final step is to sew on the purchased handles.  I used strong thread, doubled over a few times and a sewing needle to carefully go through the holes in the leather handles to secure it on to the crochet bag.

If you lined your bag, work through all the layers.  Take your time and be patient.  If your needle is struggling to get through the holes in the leather, use a thinner needle or use a pair of pliers to help pull the needle through the leather.

Purchase an ad-free printable version of the Fall in Bloom Bag!

I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making the Fall in Bloom Crochet Bag pattern,  I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo.  If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!