12 Delightful Wristlet Bags You’ll Love to Knit
Looking for a simple way to use up leftover yarn? Try one of these free knitting patterns for wristlet bags
When my family first moved to Oklahoma in 2011, it was summer — mid- to late August, to be exact. We lived close enough to my younger daughter’s school that we could walk. At that time, she’d just started pre-kindergarten. So after school let out, I walked to the school to meet her and walk her home.
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever been in Oklahoma in mid- to late August, but it gets hot. We’re talking upper 90s to low 100s (Fahrenheit). Many of my summertime capri pants had no pockets, so I had no way to carry my cell phone.
At first I tried carrying it in the waistband of my pants. But that was both uncomfortable and sweaty – yuck!
A Knitted Solution to an Overheated Problem
So I knitted myself a solution. I called it a cell phone purse, but it was really just a wristlet bag.
First, I knitted a bag that I could slip my phone into. Then I knitted a long I-cord to attach to the bag for a handle, and presto! I had a neat little “pocket” I could wear diagonally across my body, where the bag rested comfortably against my hip.
Success!
What is a wristlet bag, you ask? As the name implies, it’s a bag small enough that you can easily wear dangling from your wrist. (With a longer strap, you can also wear it over your shoulder or diagonally across your body.)
The wristlet bag is a perfect bag to whip up when you’re between projects and low on cash, because you can easily knit one using leftover yarn. As I’ve mentioned, it’s perfect for phones. It’s also great for MP3 players, because not all exercise clothes have pockets.
They also make great gifts! You could knit one for everyone on your Christmas list. Yes, even the men; you’d be surprised at how many men would love a pouch to put their phone or iPod into. Conversely, you could whip up wallets or coin bags for the men or teenaged boys in your life.
What’s that? You want some patterns? Of course you do. Check out the free patterns for wristlet bags below!
Knit Your Own Solutions to Problems of Overheating
- What you’ll need to knit it: 70 to 80 yards of fingering weight yarn, US size 2 or 3 needles
- Why you’ll want to: It doesn’t get any easier than this very tiny pouch that looks more like an oversized bracelet! A great way to use up tiny scraps of yarn, the pattern page comes with suggestions as to how this little dandy can be used.
- What you’ll need to knit it: 80 yards of worsted weight yarn (if you wish to knit stripes, you’ll need 60 yards of one color and 20 yards of another), US size 8 or 9 needles
- Why you’ll want to: It’s quite a bit larger than the bow pouch, but it’s still a quick knit and a great way to use up scraps of leftover yarn.
Photo: elte2 on Ravelry
- What you’ll need to knit it: Sport weight yarn, US size 3 or 4 double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles
- Why you’ll want to: If you’ve ever tried to knit in tight space, you’ll know exactly why you’ll want to make this bag for yourself! It will keep your yarn safely hanging from your wrist without fuss or worry.
- What you’ll need to knit it: Worsted weight yarn, US size 6 or 7 DPNs or circular needles, zipper, needle & thread
- Why you’ll want to: It’s so quick and easy that adding the zipper will probably take you longer than knitting the entire bag will.
Photo: Lion Brand
What you’ll need to knit it: 200 yards ribbon yarn, US size 10½ needles, tapestry needle
Why you’ll want to: Knit it in a beachy color (like those of Lion Brand’s Rewind* yarn) and it makes the perfect, quick-knitting bag to take on a sandy outing.
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- What you’ll need to knit it: Less than 100 yards worsted weight yarn, US size 8 or 9 needles plus a cable needle (or a spare DPN), tapestry needle, 2 to 4 bangles (depending on quality of bangle), optional: crochet hook and/or fabric for lining
- Why you’ll want to: It’s functional enough to be a great purse, yet pretty enough to be jewelry. There’s little not to love in this stylish purse, including cables and a nifty bangle handle.
More Petite Bag Patterns
Note: the links below are affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase after clicking, I may receive a commission. Thank you for supporting Knitting for Charity!
Knit Picks has so many darling bag patterns to choose from, but I especially love the little wristlet bags they have available! (Free patterns are marked with an asterisk [*].)
- Pixie Purses: These wee bags come in two sizes, 3-inch and 1.5-inch. The tiny stripes make it perfect for using up scraps of yarn!
- Juliet Bag: The tiniest purse of them all, it’s a fantastic way to try Fair Isle on a much smaller scale. A little drawstring pulls it closed.
- *Melodica Coin Purse: This tiny purse is the perfect way to test out colorwork!
- Kitten in My Pocket: What could be cuter than this little bag, designed to be worn across the body, with its little kitten peeking out?
- *Cathedral Purse: This lovely drawstring bag with its beautiful lace pattern is makes a perfect gift for date night or any other sort of evening out!
What you’ll need to knit it: 72 yards worsted weight yarn, US size 5 or 6 needles, tapestry needles, 2 to 4 bangles (depending on the bangle quality)
Why you’ll want to: If you love the idea of a bag with bangle handles but want something a little simpler? This is your pattern: nothing but stockinette stitch to be found here.
Photo: Lion Brand
- What you’ll need to knit it: Worsted weight cotton yarn, optional eyelash yarn, US size 6 to 7 needles, tapestry needle
- Why you’ll want to: Sunglasses are always getting easily lost; this case is adorable and a quick knit. (I love the addition of the eyelash yarn, but you can skip it easily if that’s not your bag. Pun intended. 😉 )
Photo: Joan Beebe
- What you’ll need to knit it: 150 to 175 yards worsted weight 100% wool yarn, US size 9 to 10½ DPNs or circular needles, zipper, needle & thread
- Why you’ll want to: If you have a beautiful skein of wool yarn that you’ve never quite known what to do with, try knitting this adorable clutch. Just knit it, felt it, sew in a zipper, and you’re done!
Photo: chaotique on Ravelry
- What you’ll need to knit it: Bulky yarn, US size 8 or 9 needles, tapestry needle
- Why you’ll want to: If you don’t feel like knitting in the round but want to make a quick cell phone cozy, this is the pattern for you. It includes a few different strap variations.
Photo: Momogus Knits
- What you’ll need to knit it: 125 yards of sport or DK yarn; US size 4 or 5 DPNs or circular needles
- Why you’ll want to: This is a great little bag for a fancy evening out! It’s especially snazzy when knitted in a glimmer metallic yarn. (To access the pattern, scroll down the page until you see the purse photo, then click the link to download.)
- What you’ll need to knit it: Light worsted weight yarn, US size 4 or 5 needles plus cable needle (or spare DPN), tapestry needle, zipper, needle and thread, optional key ring or swivel clip
- Why you’ll want to: If you want to knit a simple wallet that’s suitable for either a male or a female, this is your pattern. You can add a flower appliqué to make it a little dressier, or leave it plain for more widespread appeal.
If you know of any other folks with similar “overheated” problems, why not knit them a wristlet bag? These make the most delightful gifts!
these little bags are perfect for me! I’m a senior citizen with some balance issues and have fallen a couple of times and fortunately didn’t hurt myself really bad and was able to get back up. but it scares me that someday I may need help when my son is not here and my phone is too far away to call for help. I’m going to adapt one of these patterns as a crossbody holder for my phone that I can just wear all day in case the inevitable happens.
Janet
That’s a great idea, Janet–and just the type of situation that’s perfect for a little bag worn over your shoulder and across your body! (That’s exactly how I wear my own phone purse.)