This little sunflower purse is built from two matching square panels, each with a raised eight-petal flower at the center. Hold worsted-weight yarn double for a sturdy fabric, join three sides, and finish with a simple strap tied through the upper corners.
A little sunflower bag for everyday essentials
The Sunbeam Granny Purse has a raised golden flower framed by a simple ivory square. Make two identical panels, join three sides, and leave the top open. The narrow strap is crocheted separately and tied through the upper side corners, so you can adjust its length before securing it.
The pattern uses US crochet terms. Hold two strands of the same worsted-weight yarn together throughout the panels, seams, and strap. This is a small open-top purse for light items such as a phone, keys, and a card wallet.
Materials
- Worsted-weight / category 4 yarn in ivory, golden yellow, and dark brown, held double throughout. Have approximately 250 yd (229 m) ivory, 80 yd (73 m) gold, and 45 yd (41 m) brown available. These estimates count the yarn used in both strands; do not double them again.
- 8 mm (L/11) crochet hook, or the size that gives you a dense, flexible fabric
- Stitch markers, scissors, measuring tape, and yarn needle
For each color, use two strands from separate balls or pull a strand from the inside and outside of one ball. Keep both strands together as you work. Choose a smooth yarn that is easy to split with the hook; check both strands are caught in every stitch.
Size and gauge
Each finished panel is about 8 × 8 inches (20 × 20 cm), making a small purse body about 8 inches wide and 8 inches tall. The strap is about 44 inches (112 cm) long before tying; knots shorten the usable span. The finished size can vary with yarn thickness and tension.
Exact stitch gauge is less important than matching panel size. Make the first panel and measure it flat after Round 4. If it is noticeably smaller or larger than 8 inches, change hook size and remake it before crocheting the second panel. Both panels must match so the seams lie flat.
Abbreviations and notes
- ch — chain
- dc — double crochet
- hdc — half double crochet
- MR — adjustable magic ring
- sc — single crochet
- sl st — slip stitch
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- tr — treble crochet
The beginning chain does not count as a stitch. Join each center round with a slip stitch. The picot at each petal tip is made with a chain and slip stitch and does not count as a separate stitch in the round. Each panel has eight petals. In the square round, place the four corners in every other valley between petals.
Petal stitch
In the indicated stitch, work sc, hdc, dc, tr, ch 2, sl st in the first chain for a picot, tr, dc, hdc, sc. The eight stitches form one rounded petal with a pointed tip.
Make two sunflower square panels
Make two panels exactly alike. Each starts with a small brown center, then eight gold petals, and finishes with one ivory round that squares the flower.
Brown center
With brown held double, make an MR.
- Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in MR. Join with sl st to first sc. (8 sc)
- Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around. Join. (16 sc)
Fasten off brown, leaving a short tail to weave in.
Golden petals
Join gold with a sl st in any stitch of Round 2.
Round 3: Sl st in next st, petal stitch in following st; repeat from * to * 8 times. Join with sl st to the first valley sl st. (8 valley sl sts and 8 petals; 72 stitches total, not counting the picot chains.) Fasten off gold.
Ivory square round
With the right side facing, identify the eight valley slip stitches between petals. Mark four valleys spaced evenly around the flower—one after every second petal. These are the square corners.
Join ivory with a sl st in any marked valley. Work the following sequence four times:
Corner: In the marked valley, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). Then sc in the next 17 sts, stopping at the next marked valley.
Join to the first dc with a sl st and fasten off. (92 stitches, plus four ch-2 corner spaces.) Each side has 23 stitches between corner spaces. The panel should measure about 8 inches square. Weave in all ends on the wrong side without pulling the petals flat.
The construction overview shows the sequence of making a sunflower panel, joining the pair, and adding the tied strap. Follow the written instructions for the stitch placement and counts.
Join the two panels
Place the panels with wrong sides facing each other and right sides outward. Match the corner spaces and stitches carefully. With ivory held double, whip stitch through the corresponding edge stitches to join the left side, bottom, and right side. Work through both loops of each stitch, matching the 23 stitches along each side. Leave the fourth side completely open for the purse opening. Fasten off and secure the seam ends inside the bag.
Crocheted strap
With ivory held double, ch 3. Sc in the second ch from the hook and in the next ch. (2 sc)
Turn, ch 1, and sc in the back loop only of each stitch across. (2 sc)
Repeat the last row until the strap measures about 44 inches (112 cm), or your preferred length before tying. Keep the strap relaxed rather than pulling it taut as you measure. Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch tail at each end.
Attach the strap and finish
At each upper side of the purse, align the front and back corner ch-2 spaces. Thread one strap end through both spaces at the same side. Tie it around the corner with a firm double knot, leaving a short tail. Repeat at the other side, checking that the strap is not twisted and the purse hangs evenly. Secure the knot tails by weaving them several inches back through the strap; do not cut them close to the knots.
Weave in any remaining ends and gently shape the flower and square. The purse is intentionally unlined and open at the top. For heavier items, add a fabric lining and reinforce the strap attachment points before use. Spot-clean or care for the yarn according to its label, and reshape the panels flat while damp if the fiber allows it.
For another handmade bag project, try the Detachable Yarn-Cup Crochet Tote with its roomy project-bag shape and integrated handles.
Helpful questions
How many granny-square panels do I make?
Make exactly two matching sunflower panels, one for the front and one for the back. Join the left, bottom, and right edges, leaving the top open.
What does it mean to hold the yarn double?
Work with two strands of the same color at once as though they were one strand. This makes the purse fabric thicker and firmer than a single-strand worsted fabric.
How is the strap attached?
Tie each end of the narrow crocheted strap through the paired upper corner spaces at the sides of the purse. Knot securely and weave the tails into the strap.
Can I make the purse larger?
You can use a larger hook or add a plain border round to both panels, but make the same change to both. A larger panel changes the bag proportions; it does not automatically lengthen or reshape the strap.
