The Woven Meadow Purse: A Free Crochet Pattern for a Textured, Floral-Embroidered Shoulder Bag

Carry a Meadow on Your Shoulder: The Woven Meadow Purse

Imagine a sun-drenched meadow, captured in a bag you can carry every day. The Woven Meadow Purse is a free crochet pattern that combines a richly textured, deep green body with delicate, hand-embroidered flowers. This boho-inspired shoulder bag is perfect for adding a touch of nature to your style. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or a confident beginner, this pattern will guide you through creating a unique, handmade accessory that feels like a piece of art.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather these supplies. The exact gauge isn't critical, but consistency will help your bag keep its shape.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (#4) cotton or cotton-blend yarn.
  • Main Color (MC): 250 yards of deep forest green or charcoal.
  • Contrast Color A (CA): 100 yards of soft cream.
  • Contrast Color B (CB): 50 yards of dusty rose.
  • Contrast Color C (CC): 50 yards of muted lavender.
  • Contrast Color D (CD): 25 yards of golden yellow.
• Hook: US Size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook.
• Other: Tapestry needle for embroidery and finishing, scissors.
• Gauge: 16 sc and 18 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. Exact gauge is not critical, but consistency is important for the bag's shape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to create your Woven Meadow Purse. Take your time, and enjoy the process.

Bag Body (Make 2 identical pieces)

You will crochet two identical rectangles. One will become the back of the bag, and the other will become the front with the flap.

1. Foundation: With MC, chain 31.
2. Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. (30 sc)
3. Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
4. Rows 3-30: Repeat Row 2. You will have a rectangle approximately 7.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches tall. Fasten off MC on one piece (this will be the back). Leave the other piece attached for the flap.

Shaping the Flap (Worked on one piece only)

This creates the curved flap that will be embroidered.

1. Row 31: Chain 1, single crochet in the first 15 stitches. Turn. (15 sc)
2. Rows 32-40: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn. (15 sc)
3. Row 41 (Decrease row): Chain 1, single crochet 2 together (sc2tog), single crochet in the next 11 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (13 sc)
4. Row 42: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
5. Row 43: Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet in the next 9 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (11 sc)
6. Row 44: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
7. Row 45: Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet in the next 7 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (9 sc)
8. Row 46: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
9. Row 47: Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet in the next 5 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (7 sc)
10. Row 48: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Turn.
11. Row 49: Chain 1, sc2tog, single crochet in the next 3 stitches, sc2tog. Turn. (5 sc)
12. Row 50: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Fasten off MC. (5 sc)

Embroidery (On the Flap Piece)

Now, bring your meadow to life with simple embroidery. Use the tapestry needle and your contrast colors.

1. Flowers: Using CA, CB, and CC, embroider small flowers using the lazy daisy stitch for petals. Each flower should have 4-5 petals.
2. Centers: Use CD to make a French knot in the center of each flower.
3. Leaves: Use CD to embroider a few small leaves using a straight stitch. Scatter them organically around the flowers, as if they are growing wild.
4. Placement: Embroider 3-5 flowers and a few leaves, spacing them naturally across the flap. Don't overcrowd—let the green background show.

Assembly

Join the two pieces to form the bag body.

1. Place the two bag pieces together with wrong sides facing each other. The embroidered piece is the front flap.
2. With MC, join yarn at the bottom right corner of the bag body (not the flap).
3. Single crochet through both layers across the bottom, up the side, and across the top edge of the back piece. Do not crochet the flap closed. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Strap

Create a sturdy, comfortable shoulder strap.

1. With MC, chain 121 (or desired length for a shoulder strap).
2. Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. (120 sc)
3. Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each stitch across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Finishing

Complete your bag with these final steps.

1. Sew the ends of the strap securely to the inside of the bag at the side seams. Make sure the strap is centered and even.
2. Weave in all remaining ends with the tapestry needle.
3. Optional: Add a button to the front of the bag body and a loop to the flap for closure. To make a loop, chain 10-12 stitches and sew it to the center of the flap edge.

Your Woven Meadow Purse is now complete! Carry it with pride, knowing you've created a beautiful, textured piece that brings a touch of nature's charm wherever you go.