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Crochet Shell Stitch Purse Bag: Free Pattern with Step Photos

This little purse is made from two flat shell stitch panels, joined at the sides, with a flap that folds over and closes with a button. The shells give a pretty scalloped texture with nothing harder than single and double crochet.

It is a quick weekend make and a nice first bag. Step photos show the shell rows, the joining and the strap.

Jump to: Materials · Shell Stitch Panels and Flap · Strap and Assembly · FAQ

a small handmade crochet purse in dusty rose cotton with a scalloped shell stitch texture, a fold-over flap with a round wooden button and a thin cream crocheted cord strap

Shell Stitch Purse Free Crochet Pattern

What You’ll Need

  • Sport / fine (size 2) cotton yarn: DK (size 3) cotton in dusty rose, about 80 g, and a little cream for the strap
  • 4 mm crochet hook
  • One 20 mm button
  • Tapestry needle
  • Optional: fabric for a lining
  • Tapestry needle, sewing pins and a stitch marker

The finished size depends on your yarn and hook: thicker yarn and a bigger hook make a bigger piece.

Abbreviations (US terms)

  • MR magic ring
  • sc single crochet
  • inc increase: 2 sc in the same stitch
  • dec decrease (an invisible decrease gives the smoothest finish)
  • ch chain
  • sl st slip stitch
  • dc double crochet
  • shell 5 dc in the same stitch
  • R round; Row row worked flat; the number in brackets is the stitch count at the end

Shell Stitch Panels and Flap

The pattern repeat is 6 stitches plus 1, so you can make the purse wider by adding 6 chains at a time.

Step-by-step photos: shell stitch panels and flap for Shell Stitch Purse

Front and back panels (dusty rose, make 2)

  • Row 1: ch 32, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across (31)
  • Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in the first st, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st (shell), skip 2 sts, sc in the next st*; repeat to the end (5 shells).
  • Row 3: ch 3, turn, 2 dc in the first sc, *sc in the 3rd dc of the next shell, 5 dc in the next sc*; repeat, ending with 3 dc in the last sc (4 shells and two half shells).
  • Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in the first dc, *5 dc in the next sc, sc in the 3rd dc of the next shell*; repeat to the end (5 shells).
  • Repeat Rows 3-4 until the panel is about as tall as it is wide, ending with a Row 4. Fasten off the front panel; keep working on the back panel for the flap.

Flap (dusty rose, make 1 (on the back panel))

  • Continue the back panel for 4 more shell rows, then work a buttonhole row: ch 1, sc across to the middle shell, ch 4, skip the middle shell, sc to the end. Fasten off.

Strap and Assembly

Step-by-step photos: strap and assembly for Shell Stitch Purse

Strap (cream, make 1)

  • Ch 121. Row 1: sl st in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across (120)
  • Make it longer or shorter to suit; sew one end to each top corner inside the bag.
  1. Place the panels wrong sides together and single crochet down one side, along the bottom and up the other side.
  2. Fold the flap over the front and mark where the buttonhole lands; sew the button there.
  3. Sew the strap ends to the inside top corners.
  4. Optional: hand-sew a fabric lining inside.

FAQ

Can I make it bigger?

Yes. Add 6 chains to the foundation for each extra shell, and work more rows for a taller bag.

Does it need a lining?

Shell stitch has small gaps, so a simple fabric lining stops small things falling out. It is optional.

Which yarn works best?

A smooth cotton or cotton blend keeps the shells crisp and makes the bag sturdy.

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