Scrap Yarn Crochet Purse – Zero Waste Bag Pattern

There is something deeply satisfying about turning a pile of leftover yarn into something beautiful and functional. If you have been crocheting for any length of time, you know the struggle: bins overflowing with partial skeins, half-used balls of worsted weight from last year’s blanket project, and tantalizing little chunks of color that are just too good to throw away but not quite enough to do anything major with. This scrap yarn crochet purse pattern is the answer to all of that. It is a zero waste bag that celebrates color, texture, and creativity — and it uses up every last bit of yarn you have been hoarding.

This pattern is designed for crocheters who love a good stash-busting project. Whether you are a beginner who has just finished a few dishcloths or an experienced maker who cranks out granny squares in your sleep, this bag works for you. The construction is simple, the design is forgiving, and the end result is a one-of-a-kind purse that nobody else on earth will own.

Let’s dive in.

Why a Scrap Yarn Bag Is the Perfect Zero Waste Project

Before we get into the pattern itself, it is worth talking about why this kind of project matters — not just aesthetically, but practically. Yarn waste is a real issue in the fiber arts community. When you finish a project, you are often left with a tail end that is too short to knit or crochet but too long to feel okay throwing in the trash. Over time, these ends accumulate into something that feels both wasteful and overwhelming.

A scrap yarn purse solves this problem elegantly. Instead of treating leftover yarn as a nuisance, you treat it as a palette. The randomness of your color combinations becomes the design. The scrappiness is not a flaw — it is the point. This philosophy is at the heart of the zero waste approach to crafting, and it is one that Make and Do Crew has always championed.

Using up scraps also means you spend very little on this project. If you have been crocheting for a while, you probably already have everything you need. This is crochet at its most resourceful and most joyful.

What You Will Need

The beauty of this pattern is its flexibility, but here is a general list of what you should gather before you start.

Yarn: Any worsted weight scraps in whatever colors you love. You will need approximately 200–250 yards total for a small to medium-sized bag. You can use more for a larger bag. Mixing yarn brands and even slightly different weights is totally fine and adds to the organic, handmade look.

Hook: A size 5.0mm (H/8) crochet hook works well with most worsted weight yarns. Go up to a 5.5mm or 6.0mm if your tension runs tight.

Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, a pair of scissors, stitch markers, and roughly 20 inches of cotton webbing or leather strapping for the handles (or you can crochet your own straps — instructions below).

Optional: A fabric lining, a magnetic snap, a zippered pouch for the interior, or a bag bottom insert to give the purse structure. None of these are required, but they elevate the final product significantly.

Gauge: Approximately 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. Gauge is not critical for this project since a variation of an inch or so will simply result in a slightly larger or smaller bag. Just aim for a fabric that is firm and not too open — you want it to hold its shape.

Choosing Your Color Palette

This is where the fun begins and where many crafters get a little paralyzed. Looking at a bin full of mismatched yarn can feel chaotic, and the temptation is to pick colors that are safe and predictable. Resist that temptation.

Here are a few approaches to help you choose your scrap palette.

The controlled chaos method: Pick any scraps that make you happy when you hold them together. Do not overthink it. Scrap yarn bags are meant to be free-spirited and improvisational. When in doubt, put the scraps side by side and trust your gut.

The limited palette method: Choose two or three colors and a neutral, then only use scraps within that family. This creates a more cohesive look that could easily pass for an intentionally designed color-blocked bag.

The gradient method: Arrange your scraps from light to dark or from cool to warm, and work through them in order. This creates a natural, flowing progression of color that looks incredibly intentional even though it required very little planning.

The monochromatic method: Use all shades of one color — every navy, teal, and sky blue you own — for a sophisticated bag that shows off texture rather than color contrast.

There is no wrong answer. The version that will be most satisfying is always the one that reflects your personal taste.

The Pattern

Finished Dimensions

Approximately 10 inches wide by 9 inches tall (not including strap) with a 3-inch flat bottom. This makes a roomy everyday purse.

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• st = stitch
• sp = space
• rep = repeat
• pm = place marker

The Base

The bag begins with a flat oval base, which gives it a structured bottom that sits well on a table.

Chain 15. Starting in the second chain from the hook, work 1 sc in each of the next 13 chains (13 sc), then work 3 sc in the last chain to turn the corner. Now continue working along the opposite side of the foundation chain: 12 sc across, then 2 sc in the very first chain to complete the oval. Join with a sl st to the first sc. You should have approximately 30 stitches.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch. Work 1 sc in the next 12 stitches, 2 sc in each of the next 3 stitches (the three at the rounded end), sc in the next 12 stitches, 2 sc in each of the last 2 stitches. Join with sl st. Approximately 35 stitches.

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same stitch. Sc in each stitch around, working 2 sc in the center stitch at each rounded end to keep the oval flat. Join with sl st. Approximately 39–41 stitches depending on how your oval is shaping up.

Continue in this manner, increasing evenly at the rounded ends, for 2 more rounds until your base measures approximately 10 inches long by 5 inches wide. At the end of your last increase round, do not join. Instead, place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your rounds, and prepare to work the sides.

The Sides

This is where your scraps really come to life. You will work in continuous rounds (no joining, no turning) in single crochet. This creates a smooth, even fabric with no visible seam.

Join your first scrap color (if you have not already done so) and work 1 sc in each stitch around. Do not increase. Just work straight up the sides. Continue for as many rounds as it takes to reach 9 inches in height, changing colors whenever you like or when you run out of a particular yarn.

Changing colors: To change colors at the end of a round, simply pick up your next color at any point and continue crocheting. The color join will be subtle, especially in single crochet. You can also change mid-round for a more striped or patchwork look. Leave a 6-inch tail when you cut your yarn, and weave ends in when you are done.

Pro tip for a zero waste approach: Do not cut your yarn when you have just a few yards left on a ball. Instead, work those last yards until you genuinely run out, then join the next color. This is the most waste-free way to use up every inch.

Work the sides until the bag body measures 9 inches tall from the base. At this point, you can add a final round of half double crochet for a slightly more polished top edge, or you can simply slip stitch to close and move on to the handles.

The Handles

You have two options here: crocheted handles or purchased strapping.

Purchased handles: The easiest option is to buy a set of cotton webbing or leather purse handles from a craft store or online. These typically come in a standard length of 20–22 inches. To attach them, fold the end of each strap over and sew it to the inside top edge of the bag using a yarn needle and a length of sturdy yarn. Sew a box stitch or an X pattern for maximum security.

Crocheted handles: For a fully handmade look, make your own handles. Chain 80 (or fewer for shorter handles). Work 1 sc in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Sl st to join into a round if you want a tube-style handle, or simply turn and work a second row of sc for a flat handle. Work until the strap is about half an inch wide. Fasten off and attach both ends to the top edge of the bag.

To position the handles, place them approximately 3 inches in from each side edge. Make sure both handles are at equal heights. Use stitch markers to mark the attachment points before you sew, and take your time with this step — even placement makes the bag look professional.

Optional Lining

A fabric lining is completely optional but it transforms the bag. It keeps small items from slipping through any gaps in the crochet fabric, it adds structure, and it gives the inside of the bag a polished, boutique look.

To line the bag, cut two pieces of fabric to match the width and height of your bag body, plus a half inch seam allowance on all sides. Sew the bottom and side seams with a sewing machine or by hand. Slip the lining inside the bag (wrong sides facing), fold the top raw edge under, and whipstitch the lining to the inside top edge of the bag. Use a fabric that complements your yarn colors — a bold geometric print looks wonderful against a neutral scrap palette, while a simple cotton works well with a busier color mix.

Tips for Making This Pattern Your Own

One of the great joys of a scrap yarn project is that it is almost infinitely customizable. Here are some ideas to push the design further.

Add texture: Try alternating rounds of single crochet with rounds of a different stitch, like the spike stitch or the surface slip stitch. This creates visual interest even when you are using similar colors.

Try a granny square base: Instead of the oval base, work a large granny square and sew the sides up around it. This is a great way to use up very small scraps since granny squares work beautifully in tiny quantities of many colors.

Go bigger: Double the chain count at the start and work more rounds on the sides for a tote-sized version. The same pattern logic applies at any size.

Add a pocket: Before you attach the lining, sew a small fabric pocket onto the lining panel. This is helpful for keeping your phone or keys accessible inside the bag.

Use up your thinnest scraps: If you have fingering weight or sport weight yarn, hold two strands together and treat them as a single strand of worsted. This is a great way to use up very thin or very small quantities of yarn without adjusting your hook size.

Finishing and Weaving Ends

You will have a lot of ends to weave in with this project — that is just the nature of a scrap yarn design. Do not let it intimidate you. Set aside a good podcast or a favorite show, and work through them methodically. Weave each end in at least two directions (horizontally and then diagonally) to make sure it is truly secure. With a bag that will be used regularly and washed occasionally, secure ends are important.

Once all ends are woven in, give the bag a gentle hand wash in cool water with a small amount of mild soap. Press out excess water with a towel (do not wring) and lay flat to dry. Blocking the bag this way will even out any uneven tension and give the finished piece a much more polished look.

Care Instructions

Because this bag is made from a variety of yarn types and brands, care instructions can vary a little. As a general rule, hand washing in cool water is the safest approach. If you know all of your scraps are machine washable, you can launder the bag on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Always air dry to preserve the shape.

Why You Will Love This Project

This scrap yarn crochet purse checks every box. It is eco-friendly, budget-friendly, endlessly customizable, and genuinely fun to make. Every row is a small surprise as you introduce a new color. There is no commitment to a single yarn or a single palette — you can change your mind at any point and the bag will still work beautifully.

It is also a project that carries meaning. When you carry this bag, you carry the history of your other projects. That stripe of deep burgundy might be from the sweater you made your sister. The pale yellow might be the last of a skein that went into a baby blanket. The bag becomes a kind of textile diary of your life as a crafter, stitched together into something new and useful.

Making things from what we already have is one of the oldest and most satisfying human traditions. This bag is a small act of creativity and care — for your craft, for your resources, and for the planet. We think you are going to love it.

Happy crocheting, and do not forget to share your finished bags with us. Every single one will be completely unique, and we cannot wait to see yours.