🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern

The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern
4.7★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
4.1K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

📷

Stylish Touch

An elegant detail to elevate any look, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities.

About This The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern

This pattern creates a cute camera-shaped crochet bag with a removable cover, strap, and layered lens details. It uses DK/light worsted yarn and simple single crochet shaping worked in rounds and rows. The design includes felt viewfinder pieces and a sewn-on wood button for charming finishing touches. It is great for gifting or carrying small essentials like a phone or AirPods.

The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Written in clear rounds with stitch counts, this pattern includes lens patterns, a strap tutorial, and an illustrated assembly section. You will sew felt details and attach the cover for a professional handmade look.

Why You'll Love This The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns simple stitches into a playful and practical accessory you can use every day. I enjoy the way the layered lens and felt viewfinder bring personality to a small bag design. I also appreciate that it uses small amounts of yarn and quick techniques so you see progress fast. Working the cover and sewing the details is a satisfying finishing step that really makes the project shine.

The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern step 1 - construction progress The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern step 2 - assembly progress The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern step 3 - details and accessories The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love changing the color palette to create a different mood for this bag; try pastel tones for a soft, feminine look or bold contrasts for a playful retro camera style.

I often swap the DK yarn for a bulky yarn and a larger hook to make a chunkier, more structured bag; this change gives a different texture and larger finished size.

I sometimes reduce the strap rows and make a short handle to convert the piece into a wristlet instead of a crossbody bag.

I like to replace the felt viewfinder with embroidered details or a small crocheted applique for a fully textile finish without felt.

For a refined look, use leather or faux leather strap ends and sew them on instead of crocheting the whole strap; this adds durability and a polished finish.

I also experiment with adding an inner fabric lining and small internal pockets to protect phones and organize small items better.

To make a keychain or mini version, swap to fingering weight yarn and a smaller hook and reduce stitch counts proportionally for a tiny camera charm.

I sometimes use metal snaps or a decorative clasp instead of a zipper for a different opening style and vintage flair.

Try adding beads or contrasting topstitch embroidery around the lens to give the camera a more detailed, bespoke look.

Lastly, I enjoy making matching accessories like a small pouch or coin purse using leftover yarn to create a coordinating set for gifts or markets.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the base chain shaping can make the bag base uneven; follow the base chain instructions and count stitches carefully to keep the shape consistent. ✗ Not changing color at the correct round can leave visible jogs; switch yarns exactly on the rounds specified and weave in ends neatly on the wrong side. ✗ Sewing the lens in the wrong position will look unbalanced; mark the lens center with pins and check placement against the cover before stitching. ✗ Leaving too short yarn tails when fastening off prevents secure sewing; leave the recommended 25-50 cm tails so you can stitch pieces firmly in place.

The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern

Make a charming camera-shaped crochet bag and matching purse with this intermediate pattern. You will work flat rounds for the body, crochet two-part lens details, and assemble felt viewfinder pieces for a polished finish. Clear step-by-step rounds and assembly photos guide you from start to finish so you can create a stylish, functional accessory.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for The Camera Crochet Bag & Purse Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    100% acrylic DK / Light Worsted yarn
  • 02
    Color A (main body) - approximately 80 g
  • 03
    Color B (cover/trim) - approximately 60 g
  • 04
    Black yarn/details - approximately 20 g
  • 05
    Felt: Black and White for viewfinder pieces

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 3.75 - 4.5 mm (US F-5, G-6, 7)
  • 02
    Black plastic zipper ~9 inch (or magnetic snaps, sew on)
  • 03
    Wood button ~15 - 20 mm
  • 04
    Embroidery thread (black and white)
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing
  • 06
    Embroidery needle
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Stitch markers (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Bag :

Info :

Color A, Start from base, Base chain – sl knot, chain 35.

Round 1 :

sc 2 into 2nd chain from hook, sc each ch on next 32 sts, sc 3 on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along another side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 33 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. (70)

Round 2 :

ch 1, [*sc on next st, sc 2 on next st, sc each on next 32 sts, sc 2 on next st,] * 2 times, slst, then sl st(slip stitch) around, slst to the sc st at the beginning round. (74)

Rounds 3-21 :

ch1, sc around ,slst, then slst around, slst to the sc st at the beginning round. (74)

Round 22 :

Color B, blsc around , slst. (74)

Rounds 23-24 :

ch1, sc around , slst. (74)

Info :

Fasten off, weave the yarn end.

— Cover :

Info :

Color B, Start from base, Base chain – sl knot, chain 35.

Round 1 :

sc 2 into 2nd chain from hook, sc each ch on next 32 sts, sc 3 on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along another side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 33 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. (70)

Round 2 :

ch 1, [*sc on next st, sc 2 on next st, sc each on next 32 sts, sc 2 on next st,] * 2 times, slst, then sl st(slip stitch) around, slst to the sc st at the beginning round. (74)

Rounds 3-8 :

ch1, sc around ,slst, then slst around, slst to the sc st at the beginning round. (74)

Info :

Fasten off, leave the yarn ~50 cm. Sew to the bag.

— Camera Lens #1 :

Round 1 :

Black, 9 sc in Magic Ring, slst. (9)

Round 2 :

ch 1, (inc) *9 times, slst. (18)

Round 3 :

ch 1, (sc 1, inc) *9 times, slst. (27)

Round 4 :

ch 1, (sc 2, inc) *9 times, slst. (36)

Round 5 :

ch 1, Black (sc 3, inc) *2 times, White (sc 3, inc) *2 times, Black (sc 3, inc) *5 times, slst. (45)

Round 6 :

ch 1, (sc 4, inc) *9 times, slst. (54)

Round 7 :

White, ch 1, sc around, slst. (54)

Info :

Fasten off, weave the yarn end. Leave the back yarn ~30cm.

— Camera Lens #2 :

Info :

White, Start from chains 54, slst to close circle. (54)

Round 1 :

ch 1, sc around, slst. (54)

Info :

Fasten off, leave the yarn ~30 cm. Sew to the lens #1.

— Strap :

Info :

Color B, sl knot, chain 4. (leave the yarn ~25-30 cm.)

Row 1 :

sc into 2nd chain from hook, sc each ch on next 2 sts, turn. (3)

Rows 2-200 :

Ch1, sc across, turn. (3)

Info :

Fasten off, leave the yarn ~25-30 cm. You can adjust the wide strap from sc 3 - sc 5. The length also you can adjust the row form your body.

— Viewfinder Felts :

Infos :

View fingers (felt) pieces sizes: 01: 3.7x3.7 cm. 02: 2.4x2.4 cm. 03: 1.5x1.5 cm. 04: 3.7x1.5 cm.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the finished cover to the top of the bag by aligning the cover edge with the bag opening and sew securely, following the photo guide for even placement.
  • Sew the viewfinder felt pieces onto the center of the cover: stack felt 01, then 02, then 03 and finally the long piece 04, stitching each layer in place.
  • Sew Camera Lens #2 onto Camera Lens #1 using the 30 cm tail, then position the assembled lens on the front of the bag and stitch around the edge to secure.
  • Sew the zipper into the top opening of the bag or attach magnetic snaps, ensuring the zipper placement is centered and the bag opens easily.
  • Sew the cover closed along the sides after installing the zipper or snaps so the cover forms a flap over the bag opening.
  • Position and sew the strap ends to the left and right sides of the bag body, reinforcing with extra stitches so the strap holds securely.
  • Sew the wood button in place at the left lens position as shown in the photo to create the decorative button detail.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers or a removable marker to mark round starts for accurate stitch counts and shaping.
  • 💡Leave the yarn tails specified (25-50 cm) so you have enough length to securely sew pieces together.
  • 💡Weave in ends as you go on wrong sides to keep the exterior clean and avoid bulky joins.
  • 💡Adjust strap width and row count to fit your height and preferred carrying length.

This Camera Crochet Bag & Purse pattern makes a delightful handmade accessory that's both playful and practical. The layered lens and felt viewfinder give it a professional, finished look that delights makers and giftees alike. Perfect for gifting or treating yourself to a unique, handmade purse. 🧶📷

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished bag measures approximately 21 cm (8 inches) wide by 21 cm (8 inches) high using DK yarn and the recommended hook size.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will change the finished size and stitch counts; adjust hook size accordingly and expect different gauge.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and uses single crochet, increases, and slip stitches; basic crochet experience and comfort with working in rounds is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, depending on experience and the time spent on assembly and sewing details.