Thimbleweed Bag in Berroco Pima Soft - Downloadable PDF

Thimbleweed Bag in Berroco Pima Soft – Crochet Pattern Summary

The Thimbleweed Bag is a stylish, intermediate-level crochet handbag designed by Mel Kennelly and published by Berroco. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a structured everyday bag with a finished circumference of approximately 20 inches (51 cm) and a center depth of approximately 11½ inches (29 cm), not including the strap. The design features a two-color construction that adds visual interest and texture, making it a rewarding project for crocheters who are ready to move beyond beginner techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a crocheted handbag complete with a strap. The bag is worked in two separate pieces — the outer bag and a lining — each constructed from the bottom up and then joined together during the finishing process. This construction method gives the bag a clean, polished interior and a more professional, structured appearance compared to single-layer bags.

Design and Colorwork

The pattern calls for two colors of yarn: #4612 Rouge (MC) as the main color and #4649 Rose (CC) as the contrast color. The interplay between these two shades of Berroco Pima Soft creates a decorative stitch pattern repeat that measures 1¼ inches (3 cm) per repeat and 1½ inches (4 cm) per four rows. This repeating motif lends the bag its distinctive texture and visual rhythm, referencing the delicate, nature-inspired aesthetic suggested by the name Thimbleweed.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction — both the bag body and the lining are worked from the base upward, allowing for even shaping and consistent stitch counts throughout
• Two-piece construction with joined finishing — the outer bag and lining are crocheted separately and then assembled, a technique that adds structure and a neat interior finish
• Colorwork — two colors are used to create a repeating decorative stitch pattern across the body of the bag
• Blocking — the pattern explicitly notes that gauge is measured after blocking, meaning wet or steam blocking is an important finishing step to achieve the correct dimensions
• Finishing and seaming — joining the lining to the outer bag requires neat finishing work with a tapestry needle

Stitches Used

• Single crochet (sc) — the primary stitch used throughout the bag; gauge is set at 18 sc and 14 rows to 4 inches
• Repeating stitch pattern — a textured or decorative pattern repeat forms the main body design, worked over multiple rows to create the signature surface detail of the Thimbleweed Bag

Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Berroco Pima Soft, a DK weight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. The recommended hook is a size E-4 / 3.5 mm crochet hook, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming the lining to the outer bag. Only one ball each of the main color and contrast color is required, making this a relatively economical project in terms of yarn quantity.

Yarn Details

Berroco Pima Soft is a yarn that, as its name suggests, contains Pima cotton, known for its exceptional softness, smooth texture, and subtle sheen. These qualities make it well suited to a bag pattern, as the fiber holds stitch definition beautifully and produces a crisp, structured fabric when crocheted at the recommended gauge. Berroco recommends using the yarn specified in the pattern to ensure the finished measurements and drape match the original design.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated Intermediate, making it appropriate for crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet, basic colorwork, and finishing techniques such as seaming and blocking. The two-piece construction and the decorative stitch repeat add enough complexity to engage an experienced beginner looking to level up, while remaining accessible to intermediate makers who enjoy a well-structured, satisfying project.