Crochet Bag Patterns

Best Yarn for Crochet Bags

When I crochet any bag, purse, or handbag, I prefer to use cotton yarn because it's very strong, extremely durable, and will very seldom pill.

Which yarn fiber type is best for my bag?

Fiber content will always play a role in crochet bags and depends mostly on the type of bag and the kind of use the bag is intended for, if you need something hardwearing for a market or shopping bag, then the best option is some durable mercerized cotton yarn, if your looking for something more dainty for a purse or handbag for special occasions you can select a softer yarn fiber, like a wool or wool blend if you are using a softer yarn, you can easily select a smaller crochet hook size, which will result in a more stiff and structured fabric.

Pilling should be something to consider when selecting yarn for making a crochet bag, some crochet bags will go through a lot of wear and use, and if the bag constantly rubs against your body, as you go about your activity, you do not want your beautiful bag to pill or have pilling fluff on your clothes. An Easy way to test your yarn for pilling, is to crochet a swatch and then rub that swatch together to see if any pilling happens.

Ensure you select colorfast yarn for your crochet tote or purse.

Select a colorfast yarn, as you don't want to have the color of your handbag on your clothes and underarms when you return from your shopping trip. To check for colorfastness, roll up and tie some sample yarn together in a small ball and let soak in warm water for at least 15 to 20 minutes, if the water changes color then perhaps that yarn is not the best option for your bag. For easy color results, the best practice is to add some neutral light color yarn with test sample yarn, as this will change color if the yarn is not colorfast.

Cost can always be a factor when selecting yarn, but the great thing about crochet bags is that they don't use much yarn, maybe 2 to 3 skeins at most, so picking a good quality yarn for something that you will be using often is more of an investment than a splurge. So pick a good strong durable yarn, and make yourself the bag you deserve.

Let's have a look at the various fiber content types and the pros and cons each offer;

Acrylic yarn

is a versatile and affordable option for crochet bags, it comes in a great selection of colors, is easily accessible, and is very popular, but some acrylic yarns can easily pill,  and stretch, so perhaps the above-mentioned pilling test will be best. If you don't intend a lot of use for a crochet bag and would like a pretty bag for special occasions then acrylic yarn would do just fine, you can add a lining to stop the stretch and make the bag more sturdy. Lining a crochet bag made with acrylic yarn will support the items added inside and will not allow the bag to stretch.
Another option for when you want to use acrylic, wool, or blended yarn to crochet a bag, is to use a crochet hook size smaller than what is recommended by the yarn manufacturer, this will ensure you get a denser and sturdier fabric that will hold the shape of your crochet bags better. 

Cotton yarn

can take a lot of wear and tear, is super sturdy, and makes a brilliant option for bags that carry heavier items like books and heavy shopping items in the market or crochet shopper bags. Medium-weight cotton yarn is always a popular choice for most crochet bags, comes in a wide selection of colors and weights, and is perhaps a better crochet bag fiber to use when using choosing a crochet bag pattern that requires a lightweight yarn.

Hemp yarn

is best for durability and strength, an excellent choice for sturdy strong crochet bags. Hemp yarn is one of the most environmentally friendly, and sustainable fibers on the market, so you are not only making pretty bags but also your helping the earth in return. Some hemp yarn brands can be slightly rough in texture but will soften with regular use.

Nylon yarn

is another option, by choice, I have played around with this yarn, and can be a good option for daily use crochet bags like market bags or big beach totes that require extra strength and resilience nylon yarn or yarn blends that include nylon are ideal as it adds durability and helps crochet bags maintain shape.

Bamboo yarn

Another sustainable yarn is Bamboo yarn, it is a very strong fiber, but the nature of the yarn is that it can snag very easily, so you will need to keep that in consideration. Baboo yarn can also fray quite easily so if you are using bamboo yarn for your crochet bag ensure that you tighten your work well, and leave longer tails so you can add some extra length for weaving in tails to ensure that your crochet bag or bags does not frail.