It's 2009!

Am I behind or what? I've been busy playing and working and planning and now I'm sick. Well, I didn't plan on that. Bummer!

I've been making cards, crocheting purses, working on a quilt and trying to decide on a pants pattern to make. I need pants! That will be another post or two.

I'd like to post another crochet purse pattern.

I've made this several times in different color combinations. This one, one in black, wine and taupe, and one in black, royal blue and light blue. I want to make another one in some base color with purple and green. This is the purse pattern I used when I taught a crochet class last month. One lady made this in a solid color and it looked great. Please let me know if you have any questions or find any mistakes in the pattern. I'd love to see what you make if you try this.

Here's the pattern:

Simply Striped Crochet Purse

Materials:
Yarn: La Espiga Crochet Nylon, Size 18, 197 yds, 200 g per skein,
I ordered mine from Crochet Style Etc - www.crochetstyleetc.com

CA: Tan (main color), 2 skeins crochet nylon, Color # 44, Lt Beige.
CB: Blue (stripe color), 1 skein crochet nylon Color # 22, Blue
CC: Green (stripe color), 1 skein crochet nylon Color # 38, Mist

Size G (4 mm) Crochet hook
Yarn marker
7/8” or 1” button
1 Fat Quarter of cotton quilting fabric for lining, optional
Tapestry needle
Quilting thread
Sewing needle

Finished Measurement: Approximately 8" x 10

Stitch Pattern: Seed stitch (*sc in st, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next st*, repeat)
Project Notes: This purse in crocheted in the round so there is no visible seam.
Purse is worked in the round from the bottom up.

Purse:
With CA, chain 45
Rnd 1: [3 sc in 2nd ch from hook], sc in next 42 chs, [3 sc in last ch], sc in next 42 chs along opposite side of original chs, place marker. Do not join. (90 sc)

Rnd 2: [Work in 3sc cluster: 2sc in first sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc], sc in the next 42 sts, [in next 3 sc cluster, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc], sc in each sc across. Do not join. (94 sc)
Row 3: Sc in each sc around. Do not join.
Place a yarn marker at the last stitch of this round so you'll know what side to finish on.
Row 4: *Sc in first sc, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc* around.
Rows 5 - 11: *Sc in ch 1 sp, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch 1 sp* around."
Row 12-16: Repeat row 11 alternating colors CB, CA, CC, CA, CB
Row s 17 – 21: With CA, repeat row 11.
Row 22-26: Repeat row 11 alternating colors CB, CA, CC, CA, CB
Rows 27-33: With CA, repeat row 11.
Row 34 – 36: Sc in each st around. Fasten off.
Weave in ends.

Strap:
Chain as many as you like for the length of your strap.
(Remember, the strap will stretch as your carry your purse.)
Sc in the back loop of the 2nd ch from the hook and in the back loop of each ch, 2 sc in last ch, sc in each st on the other side of original ch.
Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st along length of strap. Fasten off.
Using tapestry needle, sew strap to each side of bag.

Button & Loop:
Chain 16. Fasten off and attach both ends of chain to the middle of one side of bag.
Weave in ends.
Sew button on opposite side of bag.
Use a strand of the crochet nylong or the quilting thread.
Purse Lining:
Measure purse height and width. Add 1" to the width measurement.
Cut 2 pieces of fabric by these measurements. With right sides together, sew 1/2" seams along 3 sides. Fold over 1/2” along top edge of lining. Press. With quilting thread, sew lining inside purse around top edge.

Enjoy!