About This Pattern
This little bag starts as a flat rainbow and grows a bear face along the way. It fits neatly into an evening on the sofa, thread and small hook in hand. It needs steady tension, since the rounds build fast and the increases need to land in the right spots. A good light helps too, with stitches this fine. By the end you have a shape, not yet a bag, ready for its zipper and strap.
In the basket
Yarn
Crochet Hook
Additional
Abbreviations
- ch
- chain
- st
- stitch
- sl st
- slip stitch
- sc
- single crochet
- hdc
- half double crochet
- dc
- double crochet
- inc
- increase
- dec
- decrease
- mr
- magic ring
- fo
- finish off
Rainbow bear bag with teddy bear details
Start
Make a slip knot and chain 15.
- Round 1Make 3 single crochets in the same hole, then 12 single crochets along the chain. In the last chain, make 3 single crochets in the same hole. Mark the first single crochet, then work 12 single crochets on the other side.
Total Stitches
30 single crochets. Join with a slip stitch.
- Round 2Chain 1, do 3 increases by 2 single crochets in one stitch evenly spaced, then 12 single crochets to the marker, and repeat.
Total Stitches
36 single crochets. Join with a slip stitch.
- Round 3Chain 1, create a pattern of 1 single crochet and 1 increase (three times), then 12 single crochets to the marker and repeat the pattern.
Total Stitches
42 single crochets. Join with a slip stitch.
- Round 4Chain 1, then increase and follow with 2 single crochets, repeat this pattern three times, do 12 single crochets, repeat the increase pattern, then 12 more single crochets.
Total Stitches
48 single crochets. Join with a slip stitch.
- Round 5Chain 1, create a pattern of 3 single crochets and an increase, repeat this pattern three times, then continue with 12 single crochets on either side.
Total Stitches
54 single crochets. Join with a slip stitch.
- Rounds 6–19Chain 1, make single crochets in each stitch around. Finish each row with a slip stitch.Continue with 54 single crochets per row.
Bag Body and Finishing
After completing the base, fold in half, and mark both sides forming two halves of 27 stitches each.
In the next sections, create a flap by counting 25 stitches from the marker and crochet single crochets back and forth for 13 rows.
- Rows 14–16Start decreases in Row 14 to shape the bag flap, ending with 21 stitches in Row 15, 19 stitches in Row 16, and continue decreasing per pattern instructions.Work on each side from the markers to create the bag shape. Attach a zipper by sewing with a needle and thread.
Teddy Bear Elements and Decorations
Ears and Legs Use a magic ring to start, increase as per instructions, alternating colors for different parts.
Rainbow Decoration Start with 17 chains, and follow the pattern of color changes and double crochet increases to create a rainbow shape.
Decoration and Straps Crochet a rope or strap using chains and double crochets for bag handles or decorative elements.
More pictures
Before the first stitch
- Check you have enough D-30 thread in each rainbow color.
- Place a marker in the first single crochet before Row 1 ends.
- Read Row 3 once before starting, since the increase pattern changes there.
Minutes per piece
- Start and base rounds about 1 to 2 hours, because the stitch counts are small but the shaping is fiddly
- Rainbow increases and assembly about 3 to 4 hours, because color changes slow the pace and sewing takes care
Other yarns that work
- cotton thread, lace weight closest to the original. Keeps the small size and crisp stitch definition.
- acrylic, worsted weight makes a much larger bag. Needs a bigger hook and less stuffing per round.
Where it ends up
- A small bag for a child's room, holding little toys.
- A decorative hanging piece, paired with the Romanian cord strap.
- A gift pouch for trinkets, paired with a simple ribbon tie.
Joining up
- Step 1 Assemble the teddy bear features and the rainbow on the bag as instructed, either by sewing or using a strong adhesive.
- Step 2 Incorporate a Romanian cord for extra decoration if desired.
Small notes
- Use the 6/0 hook steadily. A looser hook changes the whole shape.
- Keep that first marker in place. Row 2 depends on finding it again.
- Seal every color change with the lighter. Loose ends show on thread this fine.
Little questions
Why does Row 2 need a marker?
The marker finds the first single crochet from Row 1. Without it, the 12-stitch sections drift out of place.
Can I skip the Dacron stuffing?
The bear features need some fill to hold shape. A flat version loses the dimension in the face.
What if my stitch count doesn't match 42?
Recount after Row 3's increase pattern. A missed increase there throws off every round after.
Is the Romanian cord necessary?
No, it is optional decoration. A plain chain strap works fine without it.
Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/simple-adorable-crochet-cute-bear-bag-tutorial/
About the Author
Tamsin Okoro Who writes the patterns at Yarn Gallery, how a pattern gets from the hook to the page, and what this site will never do.
