Scrap Yarn Crochet Purse – Zero Waste Bag Pattern
There is something deeply satisfying about finishing a big crochet project and then staring at a basket full of yarn scraps, wondering what to do with them. Most of us have been there — little balls of leftover worsted weight, partial skeins in colors we loved once and still love, tangled clusters of yarn that are too small to start something new but too beautiful to throw away. This scrap yarn crochet purse pattern is the answer to all of that. It is a zero waste bag you can make entirely from what you already have, and the result is something genuinely gorgeous — colorful, textured, one of a kind, and completely handmade.
This pattern is designed to be flexible. You do not need a specific yarn brand, a precise color palette, or even a consistent yarn weight throughout. The beauty of a scrap bag is that the imperfection is the point. Every stripe, every color change, every slightly thicker or thinner section tells the story of the projects that came before it. You are not just crocheting a purse. You are making a little archive of everything you have ever made.
Let’s get into everything you need to know to make your own.
Why Scrap Yarn Projects Are Worth Your Time
Before we dive into the pattern itself, it is worth talking about why scrap yarn crochet deserves a permanent place in your creative practice — not as an afterthought, but as an intentional choice.
Yarn scraps accumulate fast. Even the most organized crocheter ends up with more leftover yarn than they know what to do with. Small projects like amigurumi, granny squares, and potholders help, but they rarely make a real dent. A scrap yarn bag is different because it actually uses volume. You will be surprised how quickly your stash shrinks when you commit to a project like this.
There is also the environmental angle. The fashion and textile industries generate enormous amounts of waste, and the handmade community is not immune. When we use what we already have rather than buying new, we close a loop. We make something beautiful out of something that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Zero waste crafting does not have to be complicated or joyless — this pattern proves that it can be one of the most fun and freeing things you make all year.
And then there is the creative side. Working with scrap yarn forces you to make quick decisions, experiment with combinations you would never plan in advance, and trust your own eye. So many of the color combinations that look most stunning in a finished scrap bag are ones the maker never would have chosen deliberately. There is a kind of magic in that.
Materials You Will Need
Since this is a scrap yarn project, the materials list is deliberately loose. Here is what to gather before you begin.
Yarn: Worsted weight scraps work best for this pattern, but you can mix in bulky and DK weight without any major problems. The bag will have a slightly organic, varied texture, which adds to its charm. Aim to gather at least 200 to 300 yards of yarn total, though you can make a larger bag with more. Choose colors you love, colors that complement each other, or simply every scrap you have — all three approaches work.
Hook: A 5mm (H/8) crochet hook is a good starting point for worsted weight yarn. If your scraps lean bulkier, go up to a 5.5mm or 6mm. If they lean lighter, a 4.5mm will help maintain a firm, sturdy fabric.
Lining fabric (optional but recommended): A quarter yard of cotton fabric in a coordinating color gives your bag structure and prevents small items from poking through. This is especially helpful if your gauge is on the looser side.
Two magnetic bag clasps or a zipper: Either closure works beautifully. Magnetic clasps are easier to install and give the bag a clean, professional finish. A zipper adds security and a slightly more structured look.
Stitch markers: Helpful for keeping track of your rounds, especially when you are working in joined rounds with color changes.
Yarn needle and scissors: For weaving in ends as you go. With a scrap yarn project, you will have more ends than usual, so weaving as you go rather than saving them all for the end is strongly recommended.
Bag handles: You can purchase purse handles in wood, plastic, or bamboo, or you can crochet your own straps directly onto the bag. Both options are covered in the pattern notes below.
Pattern Notes and Gauge
Gauge is not critical for this pattern since it is a bag rather than a garment, but it does affect the final size. A general target is 14 stitches and 16 rows equaling 4 inches in single crochet with a 5mm hook and worsted weight yarn. If your bag ends up slightly larger or smaller than described, that is completely fine.
This pattern is written for a finished bag that measures approximately 11 inches wide and 9 inches tall, not counting handles. This is a classic everyday purse size — large enough to fit a wallet, phone, keys, and a small notebook, but not so large that it becomes unwieldy.
Abbreviations used in this pattern follow standard US crochet terminology. Ch means chain, sc means single crochet, sl st means slip stitch, and st means stitch.
The Pattern: Scrap Yarn Crochet Purse
Starting the Base
This bag is worked from the bottom up, starting with an oval base that gives the purse a flat bottom and natural structure.
Chain 20. Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across — 19 single crochet stitches. At the end of the row, work 3 single crochet stitches in the last chain to turn the corner. Now working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, single crochet in each chain across — 19 stitches. Work 2 single crochet stitches in the first chain to complete the oval. Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch. You will have approximately 43 stitches in this first oval round.
Round 2: Chain 1. Single crochet in each stitch around, working 3 single crochets in each of the 2 corner stitches at either end to keep the oval flat. Join with a slip stitch. You should now have approximately 47 stitches.
Round 3: Repeat Round 2, increasing at the corners in the same manner. You should have approximately 51 stitches.
Continue in this pattern for one more round, so you have completed 4 rounds total and the oval base lies flat and smooth. At this point your base should measure roughly 9 inches by 5 inches. If it feels like it is cupping or the edges are ruffling, adjust your hook size and restart the base — a flat, firm base makes everything easier as you work the sides.
Working the Sides
Once your base is complete, stop increasing. From this point forward, you will work in continuous rounds with no increases or decreases, which will cause the sides to rise straight up naturally.
This is where the scrap yarn magic begins. Join a new color at any point in the round and simply begin working. When you want to change colors, carry the old yarn along the inside of your work for two or three stitches if you plan to return to it, or cut it and join a new color. There are no rules here. Change colors every two rounds, every five rounds, every single round — whatever your eye tells you looks good.
Work in single crochet for the full height of the bag sides. At a gauge of roughly 4 rows per inch, you will need approximately 36 rounds to achieve a 9-inch height. Mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker so you do not lose your place.
As you work, try to maintain a consistent tension. The natural variation in yarn weight will create slight differences in texture, and that is part of the design. If one yarn is noticeably thicker than the others and threatens to distort the shape, hold it alongside a thin strand from a different scrap to even out the weight.
Shaping the Top
When your bag sides have reached the desired height, it is time to create the top opening. Work one round of slip stitches or a round of reverse single crochet (also called crab stitch) to give the opening a clean, slightly reinforced edge. This extra step keeps the top of the bag from stretching out with use and gives it a polished finish.
If you are adding purchased handles, this is the time to attach them. Work 10 single crochets, then fold your handle loop over the top of the work and single crochet through both the edge of the bag and the loop to secure it in place. Continue working across the front of the bag, then repeat with the second handle attachment on the opposite side. Repeat for the back of the bag to attach the remaining two handle loops.
If you prefer crocheted straps, make two handles by chaining 80 to 100 stitches and working three rows of single crochet for a strap that is approximately half an inch wide and 18 to 20 inches long. Attach the ends of each strap to the top of the bag, positioning them evenly on the front and back.
Finishing the Bag
Weave in all remaining ends carefully. With a scrap bag, you will have many of them, so take your time here. A yarn needle and a gentle tug through the back of the stitches will secure each end so it will not pull loose over time.
If you are adding a fabric lining, cut two pieces of your cotton fabric to match the dimensions of the front and back of the bag, plus half an inch on all sides for a seam allowance. Sew them together along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Insert the lining into the bag, fold the top edge down, and whipstitch it to the inside top edge of the crochet fabric. This step makes a dramatic difference in the feel and function of the finished bag — it stands up on its own, the interior is smooth and easy to clean, and it has a much more finished look overall.
Install your magnetic clasps through the lining at this stage before stitching the lining in place, following the instructions that come with the clasps. Most magnetic clasps require you to mark two small holes, push the prongs through, and fold them flat against a small backing plate. It takes about two minutes and adds real functionality to the finished purse.
Tips for Working With Scrap Yarn
Working with scraps is freeing, but a few practical strategies will make the process smoother and more enjoyable from start to finish.
Sort your scraps loosely by weight before you begin. You do not need to be precise about this, but having a rough sense of which yarns are heavier and which are lighter will help you distribute them throughout the bag so the shape stays consistent.
Wind your scraps into small center-pull balls before you start. Working from a tangle is frustrating, and with a scrap bag you will be switching yarns constantly. A few minutes of winding at the start saves a lot of time and irritation later.
Keep a small basket or bowl nearby to hold the yarns you are actively using. When you are switching colors every few rounds, having them organized and accessible makes the process feel like play rather than problem-solving.
Do not be afraid to cut and rejoin. Some knitters and crocheters feel wasteful cutting yarn when they could carry it, but with scrap yarn the whole point is to use what you have. A few extra ends woven in is a small price to pay for clean color changes.
Trust the random. The temptation with a multicolor project is to plan every color placement in advance, but some of the most beautiful scrap bags are the ones where the maker simply reached into the basket and used whatever came to hand. The randomness creates a visual rhythm that deliberate planning rarely achieves.
Ways to Customize This Pattern
One of the greatest things about a pattern this flexible is that there are dozens of ways to make it your own. Here are a few ideas to consider.
You can change the stitch entirely. This pattern is written in single crochet, which creates a dense, sturdy fabric perfect for a bag. But you could substitute half double crochet for a slightly softer, drapier result, or work the body in alternating rows of single and half double crochet for texture.
You can add surface embellishment after the fact. Embroidery over the surface of the finished bag, using some of your finer yarn scraps threaded onto a needle, adds another layer of personality. Simple running stitches, French knots, or lazy daisy stitches in contrasting colors look wonderful over a colorful crochet background.
You can make a miniature version as a coin purse or gift card pouch. Work the same base and sides but stop after 15 or 20 rounds of the body, and add a small zipper rather than handles. These make wonderful gifts and use up the tiniest scraps.
You can experiment with texture by adding puff stitches, bobbles, or popcorn stitches at random intervals as you work the sides of the bag. These dimensional elements add tactile interest and a handcrafted quality that makes the bag look even more intentional.
Caring for Your Finished Bag
Most scrap yarn bags contain a mix of fibers and therefore a mix of care requirements. The safest approach is to treat the bag according to the most delicate fiber in the mix. If any of your scraps are wool or contain animal fiber, hand wash in cool water with a gentle soap and lay flat to dry. If everything in your bag is acrylic, a gentle machine wash on cold and air drying is perfectly fine.
The lining fabric can typically be spot cleaned or carefully hand washed. Avoid wringing or twisting the bag, which can distort the crochet fabric, and never put a bag with wooden or bamboo handles in the washing machine.
With basic care, a bag like this lasts for years. The sturdy single crochet fabric holds up beautifully to daily use, and because it is made from scraps with so much history in them, it tends to be something people actually treasure and take care of.
A Note on Zero Waste Crafting
This bag pattern is one small piece of a larger practice. Zero waste crafting does not mean perfection — it means making conscious choices about how we use what we already have before reaching for something new. Every project made from scraps is a small act of creativity and care at the same time.
If this bag inspires you to look at your yarn stash differently, that is a wonderful thing. Look at those leftover skeins not as clutter but as potential. That tangle of blue-green you have been moving from shelf to shelf for two years, the bright orange from a baby blanket you made in 2021, the three yards of sparkly purple you have no idea where you got — all of it can become something beautiful. All of it can become exactly this.
Happy crocheting.
