Crochety Old Bag - A tutorial for a ruffly crochet handbag

Did you notice how many people have taken up crochet recently, even my guest, Susie blogged about it?  So before the bandwagon drives off, here is a little something that I have created for you to make.  And if you don't believe me take a look at Handmade Monday on Wendy's wonderful site and see who else has been bitten by the bug.

Can Can Handbag

Materials

1 ball of Rico Can Can or similar tape yarn

1 size 8.0 crochet hook

1 fat quarter for lining

Make 12 chain using the tape unwrapped.

Round 1: Open up the tape and work in slip stitch down the chain (12 stitches), now turn your work and work down the other side of the chain (24 stitches)

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Round 2: Slip stitch twice into the first chain, slip stitch into the next 10 chain, slip stitch twice into the next two chain, slip stitch into the next 10 chain, slip stitch twice into the next chain (28 stitches)

Round 3: Sl st into the first chain, Sl st twice into the next stitch, sl st into the next 10 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next two chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 10 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next chain (32 chain)

Round 4: Sl st into the first 2 chain, Sl st twice into the next stitch, sl st into the next 10 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 4 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 10 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 2 chain (36 chain)

Round 5: sl st into the first 3 chain, sl st twice into the next stitch, sl st into the next 10 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 6 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 10 chain, sl st twice into the next chain, sl st into the next 3 chain (40 chain)

Round 6: Work in sl st until round is completed

Continue to work in sl st until the bag measures 7 inches or more from the bottom seam, cast off final sl st.

To make handles

Count in 7 ch from the centre of the side seam (ie where you cast off), count down three rounds and attach the yarn unwrapped to the row with a sl st and do this up each row, when you reach the top of the bag, chain [24], reattach the chain to the bag with a sl st, continue to slip st down 3 rows.

Turn the bag and sl st up to the edge of the bag, at the first chain dc , 1 ch miss one ch,; dc 1 ch miss 1 ch) 11 times, sl st down 3 rows and fasten off.

Now repeat this on the other side.

To make the button

Make 5 chain and join together.

Make 2 chain, double crochet 8 stitches into the chain round, slip stitch into second chain and fasten off.

To line your bag

Measure your bag, around the largest point (ie the top of the bag) and then from the top of the bag to the base (double this figure).  For my bag, it was 20” (length) x 14” (width), so giving myself ⁵/₈” seam allowance I cut out a piece of fabric 21¹/₄”  x 15¹/₄”.

To make a pocket for your phone and keys, cut out a piece of fabric 7¹/₄” x 7¹/₄”.  Fold a seam allowance of ⁵/₈” all round.  Sew across the top of the pocket.  Now pin the pocket to the fabric 1¹/₂ “ below the top seam, placing it an equal distance from both side seams and sew it onto the lining fabric.

Fold the fabric in half with right sides facing and pin the seams together, start from the top with a ⁵/₈” but as you reach the crease at the bottom you will need to increase the seam allowance to a good inch to allow for the narrowing at the base of your bag.

Press open the seams of your fabric so that it will lay flat. You need to create a right angle (the corner of a square and get the seam to bisect it at 45' (which should be slap bang in the middle, just like this picture).  Fold the top of the seam down to make a little triangle.  Sew across this.  Now trim off the triangle with your pinking shears - you have now made the base of your bag, so that it will sit properly.

Take your button which you have crocheted and stitch it firmly between your handles.  Now find the centre stitch between the other pair of handles and make a slip stitch one chain to the right, make sufficient chains to go around the button and close your bag, then slip stitch this to one chain beyond the centre point stitch.  Sew in your loose ends.

Now fold ⁵/₈” around the top of your bag lining, turn the crochet bag inside out and pin it just below the top row of crochet.  Hand slip stitch this to your bag.

Turn bag inside out.  Now gaze in wonder at what you have created!