The “Whipped Cream” Satchel: An Enlarged, Practical Crochet Bag

Hello, fellow makers! Ready to crochet a bag that’s as charming as it is practical? I’m excited to share this pattern for the Whipped Cream Satchel—an enlarged, updated version of a popular crochet mini-bag. This design offers a greater capacity, making it perfect for daily essentials, and its clever construction allows it to be used as both a chic handbag and a functional shoulder bag.

The heart of this design is the beautiful, textured stitch used for the body, which gives the bag its signature “creamy” look. We’ll start with a circular base, build up the sturdy body, and finish with a smooth handle and optional long strap attachment points.

Let’s grab our yarn and hook and create a cute and useful accessory!

Why You’ll Love Crocheting This Bag:

Practical Size: This version is larger and more usable for everyday carry than a mini-bag.
Versatile Wear: Can be carried by the handles or worn as a single-shoulder bag.
Unique Texture: The body uses a combination of basic and post stitches to create a beautiful, rich texture.
Beginner-Friendly Shaping: Starts with a simple circular base and transitions smoothly into the body.

What You’ll Need:

Yarn: 8-ply yarn (often called “hand-knitting thread” in some markets, it is a medium-weight rope-like yarn). The video uses a 4.0mm hook with this yarn.
Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm hook.
Stitch Marker: To mark the beginning/end of rounds.
Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): For weaving in ends.
Scissors:
Optional: D-rings/hardware for the shoulder strap, a matching shoulder strap, and materials for a bow decoration.

Essential Crochet Abbreviations:

ch: chain
st(s): stitch(es)
sl st: slip stitch
dc: double crochet
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (2 stitches in the same stitch)
BPdc: Back Post Double Crochet (This technique is demonstrated in the video to create the textured stitch)

The Pattern: The Whipped Cream Satchel

This bag is worked from the bottom up, starting with the base in joined rounds.

Part 1: The Circular Base

We are working in joined rounds, with a starting ch 2 that does not count as a stitch.

Round 1: Start with a magic ring. Ch 2. Work 13 dc into the ring. Pull the tail to close the ring. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (13 dc)
Round 2 (Increase): Ch 2. Work 2 dc (inc) into every stitch around. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (26 dc)
Round 3 (Increase): Ch 2. *Work 1 dc in the first stitch, then inc (2 dc) in the next stitch.* Repeat from * around (13 increases total). Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (39 dc)
Round 4 (Increase): Ch 2. *Work 1 dc in the next 2 stitches, then inc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * around (13 increases total). Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (52 dc)
Round 5 (Increase): Ch 2. *Work 1 dc in the next 3 stitches, then inc in the next stitch.* Repeat from * around (13 increases total). Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (65 dc)

Note: The video suggests continuing to increase by 13 stitches in each subsequent round, following the pattern: Round 6 (every 4th st), Round 7 (every 5th st), etc., until the base reaches the desired diameter. The example transitions to the body after 65 stitches.

Part 2: The Bag Body (Textured Stitch)

The body is worked in alternating rows of Double Crochet (DC) and the Textured Stitch, without further increases.

Round 6 (DC/BPdc):Ch 2.
- Work 1 dc in the first stitch.
- Work 1 BPdc (Back Post Double Crochet) around the post of the next stitch.
- *Work 1 dc in the next stitch. Work 1 BPdc around the post of the next stitch.*
- Repeat from * around until the end of the round.
- Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (65 sts)
Round 7 (DC): Ch 2. Turn the work. (We are now working on the wrong side for a standard DC round, creating the contrast.) Work 1 dc in every stitch around. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (65 dc)
Round 8 (DC/BPdc): Ch 2. Turn the work. Work 1 dc in the first stitch. Work 1 BPdc around the post of the next stitch. Continue the alternating pattern (1 dc, 1 BPdc) around the entire round. Sl st to the top of the first dc to join. (65 sts)
Repeat Rounds 7 and 8 until the bag reaches your desired height. The video suggests continuing up to Round 20.

Part 3: The Handle Foundation (Single Crochet)

We will transition to single crochet for a neat edge and the handle foundation.

Round 21 (SC Foundation):Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Work 1 sc in every stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (78 sc)
- Note: The video indicates 78 stitches here. If your previous rounds ended at 65, you will need to increase 13 stitches evenly in this round to reach 78.
Round 22 (SC Foundation): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in every stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (78 sc)

Part 4: Creating the Handles

This round creates the loops that will form the handles of the bag.

Round 23 (Handle Round): Ch 1. Work sc in the next 11 stitches. (This forms the first side segment).
First Handle Loop: Ch 20. (This is your handle length; adjust this chain count for longer or shorter handles).
Skip: Skip the next 17 stitches of the bag body.
Middle Segment: Work sc in the next 22 stitches.
Second Handle Loop: Ch 20.
Skip: Skip the next 17 stitches of the bag body.
Last Segment: Work sc in the remaining 11 stitches to the end of the round. Sl st to the first sc to join. (44 sc + 40 ch total)
Round 24 (SC over Chains): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in every stitch of the side segments, and work 1 sc into every chain of both handle loops. (Total stitches should be 84 sc). Sl st to the first sc to join.
Round 25 (SC Final): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in every stitch around. Sl st to the first sc to join. (84 sc)

Part 5: Finishing and Decoration

Sl St Edging: For a polished finish, work a round of slip stitch along the very top edge of the bag. This will create a neat, sturdy rim.
Fasten Off and weave in all remaining ends securely.

Optional Decorations:

Shoulder Strap: Attach a crocheted or leather strap to the sides of the bag (using the skip points from the handle construction as natural attachment zones).
Bow: Crochet a small bow and sew it to the front of the bag, as demonstrated in the video.

Congratulations! You’ve finished your functional and fashionable Whipped Cream Satchel. Enjoy carrying your beautiful, handmade creation!

Video tutorial: