PETITE CROCHETED PURSE

About 4 1/2" tall and 3 1/4" around Skill Level: Beginner Model is made with Tahki's Cotton Classic Yarn. I think that kitchen type cotton yarns fray too quickly for this type of purse. For Full-Sized View of Purse Click on Image (66 K jpg) Sorry, it's a little crunched from my scanner!-- sg

STITCH NOTES Grit Stitch: Sk next st, in next st, make sc + dc. MATERIALS: 1 Skein (1.75 oz./50 gms) glossy worsted or sport weight cotton yarn such as Cotton Classic (Takhi), Reynold's Saucy, or Camden's Cotton. F hook 3 1/2 circle of plastic canvas for bottom of purse Yarn Needle Optional Decorations: Beads, Buttons, Tassels, and Charms. Sewing Needle and Thread. DIRECTIONS: PURSE BASE Rnd 1: With F hook, Ch 2. Make 6 sc in first chain. Sl st to beg. (6 sc) Rnd 2: Ch 1 (counts as first sc), make sc in same space. Make 2 sc in each st around. Sl st to beg. (12 sc) Mark beg of rnd with a bit of colored thread. Rnd 3: Ch 1(counts as first sc), make sc in same space. Sc in next st. *2 sc in next st. sc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to beg. (18 sc) Rnd 4: Ch 1 (counts as first sc), make sc in same st. Sc in each of next 2 sts. *2 sc in next st. sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to beg. (24 sc) Rnd 5: Ch 1 (counts as first sc), make sc in same st. Sc in each of next 3 sts. *2 sc in next st. sc in each of next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to beg. (30 sc) Note: Your crocheted "fabric" will look like a hexagon. Rnd 6: Ch 1 (counts as first sc), make sc in same st. sc in each of next 4 sts. *2 sc in next st. sc in each of next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to beg. (36 sc) BODY OF PURSE: Rnd 7: Ch 1 (counts as first sc). Make 2 sc in same space. Sc in each of next 5 sts. *3 sc in next st. sc in each of next 5 sts. [8 sts on each side] Repeat from * around. Sl st to beg. (48 sc) Rnd 8: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc). Make hdc in next st and in each st around. Sl st to beg. (48 hdc) Rnd 9: Repeat Rnd 8. Rnd 10: Ch 1. Dc in same st. *Sk next st. In next st, make sc + dc. (Grit Stitch Made). Repeat from * around until you have only two stitches remaining. Sk last 2 sts. Sl st to beg. (24 Grit Stitches) Close up of Grit Stitch. Rnd 11--Rnd 14: Repeat Rnd 10. Rnd 15: Ch 2. Make hdc in next st and in each st around. Sl st to the beg. (48 hdc). Mark this rnd with a bit of colored thread. Rnd 16: Ch 2. Make hdc in next st and in each st around. Do not sl st to beg.

Rnd 17+:Repeat Rnd 16 until your purse is about 2 inches taller than marker on rnd 15. Once your round of stitches lines up vertically with the marker (or as close to directly above it as possible) then make one more hdc and sl st to next stitch to join round. PURSE CLOSING Next Round: Ch 2 (Counts as first st.) Make hdc in next stitch. Ch 2. *Sk next st. Make hdc in next 2 sts. Ch 2. Repeat from * around. Sl st to top of beg ch 2 to join. (16 ch-2 loops) (Note: if you're off by a couple of stitches here, it's okay. At this point in the purse pattern the counting isn't as crucial and mistakes are easily camouflaged.) Next Round: Ch 2. (Counts as first st.) * Make hdc in ch-2 loop. Make hdc in each of next 2 sts. * Repeat from * around. Final Round: Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Make dc in same st. Make 2 dc in each stitch around. Sl st to beg. Cut yarn, leaving about a 4 or 5 inch tail. Remove hook from loop. Pull thread through loop and tighten. Fasten off. PURSE TIES: Cut two pieces of yarn, each about 70 inches long. Chain each length, leaving a little at the end for knotting. These are the cords for the purse. Weave one cord going Clock-Wise through first round of "purse closing." Even up ends and knot them. Starting on the opposite end as first cord, weave the second cord in a Counter Clock-Wise direction. Even up ends and knot them. This way, you can simply pull the cords and the purse closes tightly. When you cinch the purse closed, you'll have one knotted dangle on each side. Tie on a tassel, decorate with pony beads, bows, or decorative buttons. FINISHING TOUCHES: Trim the plastic canvas to match the bottom of your purse. Insert it and push it down snugly. Using yarn and needle sew it to the bottom. Start from the inside so that the knot is hidden. Decorations: Be as wild or as tame as you want here! For a dressy look: sew on crystal, glass, ceramic or bugle beads. Add some semi-precious stones. Dangle them from the bottom center or in loops around the base of the purse. Sew sequins around the rim at the top or around the middle of the purse. For a more casual look: use wood or mummy beads, charms, buttons, or shells. Change colors. Use a variegated yarn. Or make a striped purse by changing colors.

NOTE: This pattern is for personal use only. Please don't duplicate it in any form without designer's express permission. This is an original design by Shirley Guess and is posted at the CP Pattern Library with permission

Please direct reprint requests to designer at shefog@nas.com. (The designer's address was valid when this pattern was posted. If it is no longer valid, please check one of the internet search engines for an updated address.)

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