The Boho Bitty Bag: A Crochet Pattern For Summer

The Bitty Boho Bag is a crochet pattern for a toddler's purse. It is a beginner-friendly pattern that comes with a full step-by-step photo tutorial. The bag features a dainty design and a fun texture, making it an adorable accessory for kids. The finished bag is about 4.5 inches tall and wide, with a total height of approximately 22 inches from the strap to the fringe. The pattern includes instructions for creating the bag, as well as modifications to add a rainbow design or a kitty design.

Materials needed

To make the Bitty Boho Bag, you will need the following materials:

• 3-4 oz of worsted weight yarn. The colour choice is up to you, but some suggestions include Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn" in Tropical Pink, or Graybeard.
• A G (4 mm) crochet hook.
• A tapestry needle.
• Scissors.
• A sewing needle and thread (optional).
• Leather straps (optional).
• A toggle button (optional).
• Fabric bag liner (optional).

The finished bag will be approximately 4.5 inches tall and wide, with a total height of around 22 inches from the strap to the fringe.

Stitch key

• SC = Single Crochet
• CH = Chain
• YO= Yarn Over
• INC= Increase (Put two stitches in the same space. In this case, it will be two SC stitches.)
• SL ST= Slip Stitch
• FSC= Foundation Single Crochet
• = To Be Repeated

Back Bump: Flip your starting chain over and insert your hook into the “back bump” of the chain, placing your stitch there. If this technique is unfamiliar, it is recommended to watch the video that accompanies this pattern or the original Bitty Boho Bag Pattern video.

Bobble: *YO, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops on your hook* Repeat 3 more times. You should now have 5 loops on your hook. YO and pull through all 5 loops.

Foundation Single Crochet: This technique saves time once you get used to it. Your row of single crochet will have more flexibility than it would if you made a chain first and then single crocheted back down. This technique will be explained within the pattern.

Assembly

Now that you have completed the front and back portions of your Bitty Boho Bag, place the front and back together with right sides facing out. (Don't worry about which is the "right side" of the back piece; just choose your favourite side and go with it!)

Turn your work upside down with the front side facing you. Beginning at the top right corner, take the working yarn, CH 1 and work 15 SC evenly across the flat edge through both layers of the bag.

Turn work clockwise 90 degrees. Work 12 SC up the side of the bag.

Now, work 100 FSC for your strap, just as Ashley does in the original pattern, Sk 17 stitches on the front and back, and crochet 12 SC back down the unworked side of the bag to the beginning SC. Sl St into the first SC and fasten off.

The brim is also worked the same as it is in Ashley's pattern.

Re-attach the yarn to the last SC before the strap was made.

Now, work 1 SC in each of the skipped 17 stitches across the top curve of the rainbow (through the front piece only).

Working around the outside of the strap, turn the bag and work 1 SC in each of the 17 skipped stitches on the back side of the bag, just as you did the front. Sl St around the outside of the strap into the first SC of the brim.

Now, you can add your fringe (see the original pattern) or leave it with a clean edge. Don't forget to sew in those ends (or, if you're like me, hide them and take pictures first, LOL) and you are all done with this adorable and ridiculously easy MOD to A Crafty Concept's Bitty Boho Bag!

Adding fringe

Cutting the Yarn:

First, you will need to cut your yarn into strips. These strips will be used to create the fringe. Cut the yarn twice the length that you want your finished fringe to be, plus a little extra for trimming. For example, if you want a 5-inch fringe, cut strips of yarn that are about 11-12 inches long. You can use a small book, a CD case, or a piece of cardboard to wrap your yarn around before cutting to ensure that all your strips are the same length.

Gathering the Strips:

Depending on how thick you want your fringe to be, gather your strips into groups. For a thicker fringe, use more pieces of yarn in each group. For example, you can use 4 pieces of yarn for each piece of fringe. Fold the group in half to create a loop at one end. You can use as little as one piece of yarn for each piece of fringe if you prefer a thinner look.

Inserting the Hook:

Place your crochet bag with the wrong side facing you and the right side down. Insert your crochet hook from the wrong side at the point where you want to add the fringe. Pull the group of yarn strips through the bag by hooking the yarn at the middle of the fold. If you are adding fringe to a corner, keep in mind that inserting the hook directly at the corner may cause the fringe to bend outward. To avoid this, insert the hook slightly inward from the corner.

Creating the Loop:

Pull the yarn through just enough to create a loop that you can put your fingers through. Reach through the loop and grab the yarn tails. Pull the yarn tails back through the loop and pull them in the direction you want the fringe to lie until the knot is snug.

Trimming the Fringe:

At this point, you can trim the fringe to your desired length and even out the ends. If you have any loose ends from your bag that you prefer not to weave in, you can incorporate them into the fringe by pulling them through the fringe knot.

Repeating the Process:

Continue adding fringe to your bag by repeating the above steps along the edge where you want the fringe. You can add as much or as little fringe as you like. Remember to always begin with the right side of your bag facing up to ensure that the fringe is attached correctly.

Variations

The Bitty Boho Bag is a versatile crochet pattern that can be modified in several ways to create different variations. Here are some ideas for variations that you can try:

Bitty Bow Bag

This variation adds a cute and girly touch to the original Bitty Boho Bag design. Instead of the bobble rows, you can simply do single crochets, similar to the back piece of the original bag. After completing the front and back pieces, you can add a "grow row" to make the bag slightly bigger. Finally, you can follow instructions to create a bow and attach it to the front of the bag. This variation maintains the simplicity of the original design while adding a fun and feminine touch.

Bitty Kitty Bag

For cat lovers, the Bitty Kitty Bag is an adorable variation. To create this design, you can make the bag slightly bigger than the original Bitty Boho Bag to accommodate the kitty face. Instead of the bobble rows, use all single crochet stitches for a smoother surface. You can then follow instructions to embroider a cute kitty face and whiskers onto the front of the bag. Don't forget to add a pair of ears to complete the look! This variation is perfect for those who want to add a whimsical and playful touch to their bag.

Crochet Rainbow Purse

This variation is a fun and colourful take on the Bitty Boho Bag. By changing the colour of the yarn at specific rows, you can create a beautiful rainbow effect. Follow the Bitty Boho Bag pattern until the assembly portion, making sure to change colours at Rows 3, 5, and 8. Assemble the bag as usual, but add a colourful fringe to complete the rainbow theme. This variation is perfect for those who want to add a bright and cheerful touch to their bag.

Adult Boho Bag

While the original Bitty Boho Bag is designed for toddlers, you can easily modify the pattern to create an adult-sized version. Simply adjust the number of stitches and rows to make the bag larger. You can follow the same basic design and assembly instructions, but scale up the dimensions to create a stylish and functional bag for adults. This variation allows you to create a matching set for parents and their little ones.

Customised Straps and Closures

The strap and closure of the Bitty Boho Bag can also be varied to create different looks. You can experiment with different types of straps, such as a braided strap made from yarn, a crocheted strap, or even a detachable leather strap for a more sophisticated touch. For the closure, you can add a button, a toggle, or a zipper to secure the bag. These variations allow you to customise the functionality and aesthetic of your bag to suit your personal style.

Frequently asked questions