Looking to crochet a bag? Find the best yarn for crochet bags here, including the best yarn recommendations plus tips and tricks for selecting the perfect yarn for your next bag project.
A crochet bag gets a lot of wear and tear, so you want to be sure you are choosing the right yarn for the job. There are many factors that go into picking out the perfect yarn for a bag, and today we are going to look at these in depth.
What to Consider when Choosing the Best Yarn for Crochet Bags
Let’s take a look at all the factors that should come into play when choosing the perfect yarn for your next bag project.
1. Ease of Care
This is a big one in my book because it’s not as easy to wash a bag as it is a blanket or a sweater. Especially if you have a lining and handles, you can’t just toss it in the washing machine.
You’ll need something that is easy to spot clean since more than likely the bag won’t be able to be completely submerged (unless you make something like a market tote bag, in which case you could just launder it!).
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2. Colorfastness
Take care when choosing a yarn for your bag. If this is going to be a handbag you carry under your arm, check the yarn for colorfastness by tying a small bundle of the yarn together and letting it soak in warm water for at least 20 minutes. It also helps if you put it with white or bare yarn or fabric.
If no color leaches its way out of the water or ends up on the bare yarn/fabric, then it’s good to go. This is important when you are carrying the bag where it will be rubbing your other clothes. You wouldn’t want to wear a white blouse and have the dye from your bag end up on your shirt!
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3. Pilling
Another thing to think about if the bag is going to be carried next to the body is pilling. It’s going to rub against your clothes and you don’t want little pills all over the bag and/or your clothes.
The best way to do this is to crochet a swatch and rub it together to see if pills form. This will help you know how the yarn will hold up to friction.
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4. Fiber Content
This really goes along with the first factor because the fiber content of the yarn is a huge factor in how easy it is to care for. When crocheting a bag, you want to choose a yarn that is durable and will hold up to the end use.
It really depends upon how you intend to use the bag when it is complete. Is it a market bag with no lining? A cotton yarn would be a great choice. A handbag you carry under your arm? Maybe a wool or wool blend.
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5. Cost
One good thing about bags is that they don’t use up a lot of yarn. Even the larger bags usually only use 2-3 skeins, so price isn’t as much a factor here as in some other projects, like sweaters and blankets.
Luckily, there are a ton of yarns out there that are amazing for a crochet bag and are very affordable, too!
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6. Availability
I know the internet has opened up lots of options, but sometimes I just want to feel the yarn before I decide which yarn I want to use. I like to see if it will be durable enough for a bag and also I want to know if it fits what I have in mind.
So as much as I love online shopping, there is just something about being able to handle the yarn that appeals to me. I like to squish it! I tend to use yarn that is available locally, although there are times that I really love ordering online, from places such as We Crochet and Knit Picks.
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7. Color
For me, the color of a yarn is often the first thing that speaks to me. I walk by or am browsing online and I see an amazing color that I think would work well for my project (or I just think it’s pretty haha!).
Only after I peruse the color choices do I feel the yarn (if I’m in person). I’m particularly drawn to shades of blue and teal but sometimes I’ll go for a more colorful bag since I like to dress fairly simply.
Check the color choices of the yarn you are considering. That can be a deal breaker if the chosen yarn doesn’t come in the color you envision for your bag. Color is super important! It can be the difference between a bag you love and one that is just okay.
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Best Yarns for Crochet Bags
There are many different yarns on the market that make amazing crochet bags, and it would be impossible for me to list them all here, but these are some of my favorite ones that I have personally used and loved.
I’ve broken them down by yarn weight for ease of selection.
DK Weight Yarn (Category #3)
Lion Brand Coboo
I adore coboo for a lightweight summery market tote or beach bag because it’s a wonderfully soft cotton and bamboo mix that is durable. This yarn is quite inexpensive, and I’ve even seen it at my local Wal Mart.
Fiber Content: 50% cotton, 50% rayon from bamboo
Yarn Weight: DK (#3)
Yardage/Weight: 232 yards/100g
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to see more of Coboo!
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Swish DK from Knit Picks/We Crochet
This superfine merino wool yarn is so smooth that it’ll make you believe it’s not real wool at all! This is a superwash yarn, so you can put it in the washer and expect it to come out even softer.
Swish worsted and bulky yarn is also available in a variety of beautiful colors, so you’re sure to discover one you like for your next crochet pattern.
Fiber Content: 100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool
Yarn Weight: DK (#3) but also comes in worsted (#4) and bulky (#5)
Yardage/Weight: 123 yards/50g
Care: Machine Wash Gentle Cold / Tumble Dry Low
Click here to check out Swish DK!
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Worsted Weight Yarn (Category #4)
Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton
This cotton yarn is mercerized to keep its colors bright and also to add a slight sheen to the yarn. It is super durable and holds up to repeated washings. A great choice for a crochet market bag or tote bag.
Fiber Content: 100% Mercerized Cotton
Yarn Weight: Worsted weight yarn (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 186 yards/3.5oz
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to check out 24/7 Cotton yarn!
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Lion Brand Heartland
This premium acrylic yarn is one that I have chosen to make many different crochet bag projects with. I love the heathered look of the colors and how durable it is – it holds up to the wear and tear!
Fiber Content: 100% acrylic (tweeds have a slight rayon content)
Yarn Weight: Worsted weight yarn (#4)
Yardage/Weight: 251 yards/142g
Care: Machine Wash and Dry
Click here to check out Heartland yarn!
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Bulky Yarn (Category #5)
Biggo Yarn from We Crochet
This is quite possibly one of my all-time favorite bulky yarns! Biggo yarn comes in a variety of colors and is both soft and billowy, making it perfect for every project. It’s also machine washable, which is great news!
Fiber Content: 50% superwash merino wool, 50% nylon
Yarn Weight: Bulky weight yarn (#5)
Yardage/Weight: 110 yards/100g
Care: Machine wash, tumble dry low
Click here to check out Biggo yarn!
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Berroco Comfort Chunky
This is one of my all-time favorite acrylic mixes. I remember the first time I saw a skein of Berroco Comfort in a local yarn shop. I couldn’t believe it was mostly acrylic!
And don’t think that just because it is found at local yarn stores it’s expensive – this yarn is less than $8 a skein regular price!
Fiber Content: 50% super fine nylon, 50% super fine acrylic
Yarn Weight: Bulky weight yarn (#5)
Yardage/Weight: 150 yards/100g
Care: Machine wash
Click here to check out Berroco Comfort Chunky!
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Super Bulky Yarn (Category #6)
Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick
This is my go-to super bulky yarn. I adore the color possibilities, the texture of the yarn, and how lovely the stitches look in this product. One of my favorites!
I’ve been using this yarn since I first started knitting in 2006. I’ve both knit and crocheted with it and have made several bags from this yarn. It’s wonderful!
Fiber Content: 80% acrylic, 20% wool
Yarn Weight: Super Bulky (#6)
Yardage/Weight: 106 yards/170g
Care: Machine wash and dry
Click here to see Wool Ease Thick & Quick!
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Common Crochet Bag Questions
The best yarn for a crochet purse is one that will withstand a lot of wear and tear and one that can handle a lot of friction, as the bag will be rubbing next to your clothes. A very sturdy cotton yarn would be a great choice for a crochet purse.
The best yarn weights for bags are DK and heavier. I haven’t seen many bags made with anything lighter than a DK weight yarn. Typically a medium weight yarn such as worsted is used.
You can use acrylic if you like, but be aware that an acrylic blend or a natural fiber will probably hold up better. Acrylic is definitely easy to care for and holds up well, just be sure to find an anti-pilling yarn because acrylics are known for pilling.
Yes! Wool is a good choice, provided you do the anti-pilling test on it. You also have to be careful when washing wool (unless it is superwash) so that you don’t felt it.
You will need around 500 yards for a good sized tote bag, so two to three skeins of most yarns will do. Be sure to check your labels for yardage.
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Free Crochet Bag Patterns
Sugarwheel Market Tote
This crochet bag pattern is made of sturdy cotton to hold all your market goods with ease. It’s an easy project and the color changes are all done with the yarn!
Click here for the free market bag pattern
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Unforgettable Tote
This free crochet pattern uses a combination of unique granny squares and post double crochet stitches. You sew a jute cord insid each strap for strength.
Click here for the free crochet tote bag pattern
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Striped Crochet Duffle Bag
This free pattern uses basic crochet stitches such as double crochet to create a classic duffle bag style. I love using this as a crochet project bag!
Click here for the free duffle bag pattern
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Today we’ve learned about the best yarn for crochet bags, no matter what style of bag you are making. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post!
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
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Materials
- Yarn labels of choice or information online about selected yarns
Tools
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- Find the yarn label on your yarn(s) of choice or have the information pulled up online.
- Check to see if the yarn is available in the color(s) you want.
- Check the care information for the yarn to determine if you will be able to care for it correctly. Check the fiber content as well to ensure it's what you are looking for, keeping abrasion resistance in mind.
- Check the cost to ensure it's not more than you're willing to pay.
Once you have checked to make sure all of these items fit your criteria, you'll know if the yarn is a good choice for your crochet bag or not. It's awesome if you can look at the store and feel the yarn, but if you can't get what you want nearby looking at this information online will help ensure you are getting what you want.
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Materials
Yarn labels of your choice, or information found online about chosen yarn
Tools
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