Purse Trio

Queen, Monarch and Lady Purse Crochet Pattern

Project Overview

The Almond Snug presents a trio of charming crocheted purses inspired by garden insects. This downloadable PDF pattern includes instructions for creating three distinct designs: the Queen Bee purse, Monarch Butterfly purse, and Ladybug purse. Each purse is a small, finished accessory measuring 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) at its longest and widest points, making them ideal for holding small essentials or serving as decorative pieces.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

These purses are constructed using intarsia crochet, a color-work technique that allows crafters to create detailed, multi-colored designs within the fabric itself. Intarsia crochet involves changing yarn colors strategically throughout the piece to build pictorial elements—in this case, the distinctive markings of a monarch butterfly, queen bee, and ladybug. This technique produces clean color transitions without the bulk that traditional stranded colorwork might create, making it ideal for small, structured projects like these purses.

The pattern is rated at Advanced Beginner difficulty level, indicating that while the techniques are accessible to those with some crochet experience, the color-work element and attention to detail required make it slightly more challenging than basic projects. The intarsia method requires careful yarn management and precise stitch placement to achieve the insect-inspired designs.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern employs fundamental crochet stitches to build the purse structure. Key stitches referenced include:

• Single crochet (sc) — the primary stitch for creating dense, structured fabric suitable for a structured purse
• Double crochet (dc) — used for variation in texture and drape
• Chain (ch) — foundational stitch for starting rows and creating openings

The gauge is specified as 24 single crochet stitches over 27 rows for a 4-inch (10 cm) square, which helps ensure the finished purses meet the intended dimensions and structure.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for DMC Natura Just Cotton, a sport-weight yarn that offers durability and a smooth finish ideal for detailed colorwork. Each purse requires 155 meters (170 yards) per 50 grams of yarn. The complete trio requires five separate yarn colors:

• Yarn A — Noir (11) for black outlines and base colors
• Yarn B — Giroflee (85) for warm accent tones
• Yarn C — Ibiza (01) for bright highlights
• Yarn D — Natura Special (99) for neutral base areas
• Yarn E — Passion (23) for vibrant color details

Beyond yarn, the project requires black embroidery thread for fine detail work and finishing touches. Three 3.75-inch (8.5 cm) semi-circular purse frames are needed to complete the structured purse tops. The pattern specifies using Prym bag handle Lorena/Linda frames, though similar semi-circular frames of the same dimensions may be substituted.

Tools and Equipment

Crafters will need a US C (2.75 mm) crochet hook to work with the sport-weight yarn at the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is essential for weaving in yarn ends, assembling the purse pieces, and attaching embroidery thread details. These tools are standard in most crochet kits and are suitable for working with the fine, detailed stitches required by the intarsia technique.

Pattern Format and Designer

This is a downloadable PDF pattern from independent designer The Almond Snug