Mini Lotus Bag

Advanced Crochet Pattern (Khaite-Inspired Structured Mini Bag)

Skill Level: Advanced
Construction: Bottom-up in joined rounds; circular base, petal-shell body, reinforced top band, sewn handles.

Finished Measurements

• Width: 7" (18 cm)
• Height (body, excluding handles): 6½" (16.5 cm)
• Depth: approx. 3" (7.5 cm) when expanded
• Handle length (each, end to end): 12" (30.5 cm)
• Handle drop: approx. 4½" (11.5 cm)

Yarn

Worsted weight (category 4) cotton or cotton blend (smooth, low-halo; holds structure).
Recommended: 100% cotton worsted.
Yardage: 220 yd (200 m) main color (MC).
Optional: 30 yd (27 m) contrasting color (CC) for top band and handle edges.

Sample yardage check: Base + body ≈ 160 yd; band + handles ≈ 60 yd → 220 yd total ✓.

Hook & Notions

• US G/6 (4 mm) crochet hook, or size to match gauge
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Optional structure: 1 piece lightweight bag stiffener or cut plastic canvas circle ~5½" diameter for base; fabric lining 10" × 14" rectangle; 2 small lobster clasps or D-rings if converting handles to removable straps
• Optional: magnetic snap or small sew-on purse frame

Gauge

16 sc and 18 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in single crochet, blocked lightly.
Gauge swatch: Ch 20, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (19 sc). Work 20 rows sc. Measure center 4".
Adjust hook until gauge matches—structure depends on firm fabric (slightly tighter than usual garment gauge is ideal).

Abbreviations (US)

• ch – chain
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet
• sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
• FPdc – front post double crochet
• BPdc – back post double crochet
• sp – space
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• MC / CC – main color / contrasting color
• pm – place marker
• beg – beginning

Special stitches

• Petal shell: (sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in same st or sp.
• Beg petal shell: (ch 1, sc, hdc, 3 dc, hdc, sc) in same st.
• Picot (optional edge): ch 2, sl st in front loop of st just made.

Notes

1. Bag is worked RS facing in joined rounds unless stated. Join with sl st to first st of rnd; ch at beg of rnd does not count as a st unless noted.
2. Move marker up each rnd to track beginning.
3. Cotton blooms slightly when wet-blocked; block base flat before starting body for accurate diameter.
4. Advanced techniques used: even circular increases, aligned shell motifs, post-stitch rib band, reinforced handle bars.
5. Lining is strongly recommended for a luxury mini-bag hand-feel and to limit mesh-free stretch.
6. Read through all sections before starting; stitch counts are confirmed inline.

Pattern

Base (flat circle)

With MC, make a magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to first ch to form ring).

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (12 sc) — 6 increases → 6 + 6 = 12 ✓
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (18 sc) — 6 inc → 12 + 6 = 18 ✓
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (42 sc)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (48 sc)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (54 sc)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, *sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (60 sc)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, *sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (66 sc)
Rnd 12: Ch 1, *sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (72 sc)
— Diameter check: 72 sts ÷ 16 sts per 4" = 18" circumference → 18 ÷ π ≈ 5.7" diameter ✓ (mini scale).

Rnd 13 (turning ridge, optional structure): Ch 1, sc in back loop only of each st around, join. (72 sc)
This ridge helps the base sit flat and defines the wall fold.

Do not fasten off. Base should measure approx. 5¾–6" across.

Body — Lotus Petal Section

Worked on 72 sts (multiple of 6 for 12 petals).

Rnd 14 (setup): Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (72 sc)

Rnd 15 (petal rnd): Beg petal shell in first st, sk 2 sts, *petal shell in next st, sk 2 sts; rep from * around, join to first sc of beg shell.
(12 petal shells; each shell uses 1 base st + skips 2 = 3 sts per rep → 12 × 3 = 36… wait—correction in placement:)
Correct alignment for 72 sts:
Rnd 15 (revised, final): Ch 1, *petal shell in next st, sk 5 sts; rep from * around, join.
(12 shells × 6 sts spacing = 72 ✓). Each visible petal sits over 6 foundation sts.

Rnd 16 (anchor): Ch 1, *sc in center dc of next petal shell, ch 5; rep from * around, join to first sc. (12 sc + 12 ch-5 sps)

Rnd 17 (petal rnd): Sl st into first ch-5 sp, beg petal shell in same ch-5 sp, *petal shell in next ch-5 sp; rep from * around, join. (12 petal shells)

Rnd 18 (anchor): Rep Rnd 16. (12 sc + 12 ch-5 sps)

Rnds 19–26: Rep Rnds 17–18 four more times (8 petal rnds total from Rnd 15 through 25, ending with anchor Rnd 26).
Height check: Each petal + anchor pair ≈ 1¼". Four full pairs after first ≈ 5" + setup ≈ 5½–6" body before band ✓.

Rnd 27 (stabilize to plain sts): Ch 1, *3 sc in center dc of next shell, 3 sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * around, join.
(12 shells × 3 + 12 sps × 3 = 36 + 36 = 72 sc ✓)

Rnds 28–29: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (72 sc each rnd)

Top Band (structured rib)

Change to CC if desired, or continue with MC.

Rnd 30: Ch 2 (does not count as st), dc in each st around, join to first dc. (72 dc)

Rnd 31 (post rib): Ch 2, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; rep from * around, join. (36 FPdc + 36 BPdc = 72 ✓)

Rnds 32–33: Rep Rnd 31.
Band height ≈ 1". Fasten off; weave ends.

Handles (make 2)

With MC (or CC for edge contrast), ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (6 sc)
Rows 2–54: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (6 sc)
— Length check: 54 rows ÷ 18 rows per 4" = 12" ✓.

Optional firm handle: On final row, work sc in each st; then rotate and sc evenly down long side (1 sc per row end), 3 sc in corner, sc across foundation, 3 sc in corner, sc up other long side; join and fasten off. This creates a padded I-cord-like rim.

Block handles flat under light steam (cotton only; no heavy crush).

Handle Attachment

Mark attachment points on top band:

• Front: 10 sts in from each side “edge” when bag is flattened (approx. 2½" in from each outer fold).
• Back: mirror front.
  Distance between inner edges of a pair ≈ 3½–4" for mini proportion.

With tapestry needle and doubled MC yarn (or matching sewing thread for lined bags):

1. Pin handle ends ¾" down inside top band.
2. Sew through all layers with sturdy backstitch box + X (reinforce ½" square).
3. Rep for all four ends.
   Stress test: Handles should hold 3–4 lb without visible stretch at joins.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely on WS.
2. Wet-block body lightly over a bowl or stuff with plastic bags to set rounded mini-lotus shape; pin top band straight; dry completely.
3. Optional base insert: Trace base onto stiffener, trim ¼" smaller, drop in.
4. Optional lining: Fold 10" × 14" fabric RS together; seam short sides for a tube; box-pleat or machine-seam bottom to match base; press top hem; hand-stitch lining to WS of Rnd 30. Add magnetic snap to lining before final stitch-down if desired.
5. Optional: add small interior pocket or logo tag.

Styling Notes (Design Intent)

The stacked petal shells echo the soft “lotus” gather of the namesake designer mini bag while remaining fully crocheted. Post-stitch rib replaces a leather top rim for structure; short dual handles keep the piece handbag-scale rather than market-tote scale. For a closer luxury finish, use mercerized cotton, add a chain shoulder strap via D-rings sewn at handle bases, and fully line.

Care

Cold hand wash, reshape, dry flat. Do not tumble dry. Reblock band if needed after washing.

Inline count summary (final):
Base R12 = 72 sc ✓
Petal spacing 12 × 6 = 72 ✓
Body exit R27–29 = 72 sc ✓
Band = 72 sts ✓
Handles = 6 sc × 54 rows = 12" ✓

End of pattern.