Decisions, Decisions A practically perfect purse!
Instructions for two versions, fabric lined or felted
Materials for lined version: -450 yards worsted weight acrylic such as I Love This Yarn, Red Heart Super Saver, or Caron Simply Soft (example used I Love This Yarn in Red) -H crochet hook -1 yard fabric -button or magnetic snap (optional) -thread to match the yarn -plastic canvas sheet Materials for felted version: -500 yards of worsted weight feltable wool (example used Jamieson's Shetland Double Knitting in Stonewash) -H crochet hook Crochet skill level: Advanced beginner Sewing skill level: Medium Gauge: Not important Finished size highly and easily customizable. Lined purse example approximately 15" wide x 9" tall x 4.5" back to front with 10" handles Felted purse example approximately 14" wide x 8" tall x 4" back to front with 8" handles
OPTION1:ACRYLICYARNANDFABRICLINING
Section 1 - Base of purse Round 1: Ch 35, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 32 chs. 5 sc in next (last) ch. Sc into the back side of each of the next 32 chs. 4 sc in last sc. Sl st into 1st sc to join. You may wish to use a stitch marker here to mark the beginning of each round. Move the stitch marker to the first st of each round as it is completed. Round 2: Ch 1, 34 sc. In next sc (sc, ch2, sc), sc, in next sc (sc, ch2, sc), 35 sc, in next sc (sc, ch2, sc), sc, in next sc (sc, ch2, sc). SI st to join. Rounds 3-8: Ch 1, sc to ch 2 space, in ch 2 space (sc, ch2, sc), sc across short side to next ch2 space, (sc, ch2, sc), sc to end, in ch 2 space (sc, ch2, sc), sc across short side to next ch2 space, (sc, ch2, sc), sc to beginning, sl st to join. If you want a smaller/bigger purse, you can chain a different number at the beginning and/or make less/more rounds like rounds 3-8. Round 9: Ch 3, dc in each stitch, putting 3 dc's in each ch 2 space. Sl st to join. Round 10: Ch 3, dc in each dc, sl st to join, 137 stitches.
Round 1: This round only should be done at a slightly tighter tension than usual, to help pullup the sides of the purse. Ch 2, skip st at base of ch 2 and one more st, \*in the next stitch (1sc, 1ch, 1dc), sk 2 sts\* repeat between \* around, sl st under ch2 to join. (If you adjusted your beginning chain or number of rounds, you may end skipping just 1 st before joining and that is fine.) Rounds 2-27: Ch 2, (1sc,1ch,1dc) in ch1 sp below, sl st under ch 2 to join. Round 28: Ch 2, 5 hdc in each ch 1 space, sl st under ch 2 to join. Weave in ends. Now it's time for your decision! Decide if the pattern created on the inside or the outside is your favorite. It always takes me forever to decide! Once you've chosen your favorite, if necessary, flip the purse so the side you want to show becomes the right side (facing out).
Section 3: Handles - Make two
Row 1: Ch 75 (or to preference). Row 2: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (74 sc) Row 3: Ch 4, sk sc at base of ch4, \*dc, ch 1 loosely, sk 1sc\* repeat across to last sc, dc (38 dc) Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across (74 sc) Approx. 24" long, and no need to weave in ends Button Loop (optional): Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. No need to weave in ends.
LINING TUTORIAL:
Cut a piece of fabric a few inches taller than twice the height of the purse with an inch or so to spare on each side for the main part of the inside lining = A.
Cut a piece of fabric just larger than the base of the purse to hold the plastic sheet in place = B. Iron a small hem into the long sides. Cut a piece of plastic canvas the same size as the base of the purse. Trim the corners so they are slightly rounded, and put it inside the purse to make sure it is a good fit.
Sew B to the wrong side of A on long sides only. Slide the plastic canvas inside the pocket created. Sew the short ends of B closed.
Cut a piece of fabric about 9" x 9" (or to preference) to be one of the inside pockets = C. Fold in half with right sides facing. Sew closed on two sides and a little of the third side. Turn right side out, finish sewing closed and iron flat. If you're going to include a “made by" label, sew it on now. Cut a piece of fabric about 14" x 9" (or to preference) to be one of the inside pockets = D. Fold in half with right sides facing. Sew closed on two sides and a little of the third side. Turn right side out, finish sewing closed and iron flat.
Put A inside the purse. Pin the pockets into their desired position. Remove A and sew pockets into place. For C, sew on three sides. For D, sew on three sides and then make vertical lines of stitching to separate into several smaller pockets. Time for another decision! How many smaller pockets do you want? I usually make room for 3 pens/crochet hooks and two larger pockets. If you decide to use a magnetic snap, add it now.
Cut two strips of fabric an inch longer than the handles and about 2.5 inches wide. Fold in half with right sides facing and sew along long end. Turn right side out. Weave back and forth into the holes between the dc's on the handles.
Sew the sides of A closed with wrong side facing out. Turn right side out. Iron down a hem around the top. Pin handles and button loop into place on the inside of the purse. Insert A into the purse and pin into place. Sew A onto the purse, going back and forth over the handles a couple times.
OPTION 2: FELTED
For base and sides of purse, follow instructions above, keeping in mind finished purse will shrink as it is felted so you may wish to add extra rounds. Example was made by beginning Ch 38, repeating Base Round 8 an additional time (for a total of 11 rounds for the base) and Sides Round 27 an additional time (for a total of 29 rounds for sides). Handles (make 2): Row 1: Ch 75, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st Rows 3-4, Ch 1, sc in each st Row 5: Ch 3, dc in each st Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st Row 7: Ch 1, \*insert hook into next stitch, fold over handle lengthwise and insert hook into bottom of next stitch on the other edge, sl st through all 3 loops\* repeat between \*'s across the long edge. Using yarn and a tapestry needle, sew handles onto purse. Felt the purse using your preferred method. Optional button loop: Ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Hand felt and then sew into inside of purse. Add a button or pin on the other side.
Printer friendly pages - no photos and no helpful hints
OPTION 1: ACRYLIC YARN AND FABRIC LINING
Section 1 - Base of purse Round 1: Ch 35, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 32 chs. 5 sc in next (last) ch. Sc into the back side of each of the next 32 chs. 4 sc in last sc. Sl st into 1st sc to join. Round 2: Ch 1, 34 sc. In next sc (sc, ch2, sc), sc, in next sc (sc, ch2, sc), 35 sc, in next sc (sc, ch2, sc), sc, in next sc (sc, ch2, sc). SI st to join. Rounds 3-8: Ch 1, sc to ch 2 space, in ch 2 space (sc, ch2, sc), sc across short side to next ch2 space, (sc, ch2, sc), sc to end, in ch 2 space (sc, ch2, sc), sc across short side to next ch2 space, (sc, ch2, sc), sc to beginning, sl st to join. 9: Ch 3, dc in each stitch, putting 3 dc's in each ch 2 space. Sl st to jo Round 10: Ch 3, dc in each dc, sl st to join, 137 stitches. Section 2 - Sides of purse Round 1: Ch 2, skip st at base of ch 2 and one more st, \*in the next stitch (1sc, 1ch, 1dc), sk 2 sts\* repeat between \* around, sl st under ch2 to join. (lf you adjusted your beginning chain or number of rounds, you may end skipping just 1 ch before joining and that is fine.) Rounds 2-27: Ch 2, (1sc,1ch,1dc) in ch1 sp below, sl st under ch 2 to join. Round 28: Ch 2, 5 hdc in each ch 1 space, sl st under ch 2 to join. Weave in ends. Section 3: Handles - Make two Row 1: Ch 75 (or to preference). Row 2: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (74 sc) Row 3: Ch 4, sk sc at base of ch4, \*dc, ch 1 loosely, sk 1sc\* repeat across to last sc, dc (38 dc) Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across (74 sc) Approx. 24" long, and no need to weave in ends Button Loop (optional): Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. No need to weave in ends.
OPTION 2: FELTED
For base and sides of purse, follow instructions above. Handles (make 2): Row 1: Ch 75, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st Rows 3-4, Ch 1, sc in each st Row 5: Ch 3, dc in each st Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st Row 7: Ch 1, \*insert hook into next stitch, fold over handle (the short way) and insert hook into bottom of next stitch on the other edge, sl st through all 3 loops\* repeat between \*'s across. Using yarn and a tapestry needle, sew handles onto purse. Felt the purse using your preferred method. Optional button loop: Ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Hand felt and then sew into inside of purse. Add a button or pin on the other side. LINING TUTORIAL: Cut a piece of fabric a few inches taller than twice the height of the purse with an inch or so to spare on each side for the main part of the inside lining = A. Cut a piece of fabric just larger than the base of the purse to hold the plastic sheet in place = B. Iron a small hem into the long sides. Cut a piece of plastic canvas the same size as the base of the purse. Trim the corners so they are slightly rounded, and put it inside the purse to make sure it is a good fit. Sew B to the wrong side of A on long sides only. Slide the plastic canvas inside the pocket created. Sew the short ends of B closed. Cut a piece of fabric about 9" x 9" (or to preference) to be one of the inside pockets = C. Fold in half with right sides facing. Sew closed on two sides and a little of the third side. Turn right side out, finish sewing closed and iron flat. If you're going to include a “made by" label, sew it on now. Cut a piece of fabric about 14" x 9" (or to preference) to be one of the inside pockets = D. Fold in half with right sides facing. Sew closed on two sides and a little of the third side. Turn right side out, finish sewing closed and iron flat. Put A inside the purse. Pin the pockets into their desired position. Remove A and sew pockets into place. For C, sew on three sides. For D, sew on three sides and then make vertical lines of stitching to separate into several smaller pockets. Time for another decision! How many smaller pockets do you want? I usually make room for 3 pens/crochet hooks and two larger pockets. If you decide to use a magnetic snap, add it now. Cut two strips of fabric an inch longer than the handles and about 2.5 inches wide. Fold in half with right sides facing and sew along long end. Turn right side out. Weave back and forth into the holes between the dc's on the handles. Sew the sides of A closed with wrong side facing out. Turn right side out. Iron down a hem around the top. Pin handles and button loop into place on the inside of the purse. Insert A into the purse and pin into place. Sew A onto the purse, going back and forth over the handles a couple times.
