Purses, Bags & Totes Project of the Month: January

Mocha Tweed Purse

Design by Mary Jane Hall

Grab this trendy, go-anywhere little bag when you’re headed out for a day of shopping and a tasty cup of cappuccino with your friends.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Finished Size
7 x 11 1/2 inches

Materials

• Bernat Soft Bouclé bulky (chunky) weight yarn (5 oz/255 yds/140g per skein): 1 skein #22927 misty shades
• Caron Perfect Match medium (worsted) weight yarn (7 oz/355 yds/198g per skein): 1 skein espresso
• Sizes G/6/4mm and K/10 1/2/6.5mm crochet hooks or size needed to obtain gauge
• 19 inches metal chain for handle
• 2 round metal 1 1/4-inch key rings
• 2 1/4-inch round metal ring
• 2-inch metal latch hook
• Stitch marker
• Straight pins

Gauge
Size K hook: 4 sts = 1 1/2 inches; 4 rows = 1 1/2 inches
Check gauge to save time.

Pattern Notes
Weave in loose ends as work progresses.
Join rounds with a slip stitch unless otherwise stated.

Purse Front
Row 1 (RS): Beg at bottom edge of purse, with size K hook and 1 strand of each color held tog, ch 24, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (23 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.
Rows 3–14: Rep row 2.
Row 15: Ch 1, sc dec (see Stitch Guide) over next 2 sc, sc in each sc across to last 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc, turn. (21 sc)
Rows 16 & 17: Rep row 15. At the end of row 17, fasten off. (17 sc)

Purse Back
Rows 1–17: Rep rows 1–17 of Purse Front.

Bottom & Side Insert
Row 1: With size K hook and 1 strand each color held tog, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (4 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.
Rep row 2 until Insert measures 23 1/2 inches.

Tab
Row 1: With size G hook and espresso, ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (5 sc)
Rows 2–5: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.
Row 6: Holding 21/2-inch metal ring next to row 5 and working over ring, ch 1, sc in each of next 5 sc, fasten off.

Assembly
Place a st marker at bottom center of Purse Front and Purse Back. Fold Bottom and Side Insert in half, pin center of strip to bottom center of Purse Front. Pin first and last row of Bottom and Side Insert to each side of row 14 of Purse Front.
Rnd 1: With size G hook, attach espresso in side edge of row 14 of Purse Front, working through both thicknesses, ch 1, sc evenly sp down side edge, across bottom to within center 4 sts, holding lp of latch hook next to bottom center of Purse Front and working over latch, sc in each of next 4 sts, sc evenly sp across rem of bottom and up opposite side, ending at opposite side of row 14, sc up side edge of dec rows, across top edge of Purse and down opposite edge of dec section, join in beg sc, fasten off.
Rnd 2: With size G hook, attach espresso in side edge of row 14 of Purse Back, working through both thicknesses, ch 1, sc evenly sp down side edge, across bottom, up opposite side, ending at row 14, sc up side edge of dec rows, across top edge of Purse to center 5 sc, holding opposite side of foundation ch of Tab at center and working through both thicknesses, sc in each of next 5 sts, sc across rem of top edge, sc across side edge of dec rows, join in beg sc, fasten off.

Purse Handle
Attach a key ring to each end of metal ch. Holding key ring to center end of Bottom and Side Insert, with size G hook, attach espresso, ch 1, working over key ring, work 3 sc in end of Bottom and Side Insert securing key ring in place.
Rep attaching opposite end with key ring to opposite end of Bottom and Side Insert.
With size G hook and espresso, make a ch approximately 19 inches long, weave through chains of Handle, secure ends, fasten off.

DOWNLOAD
Click here to download the PDF (319.8 KB)

Other project series:

• Afghan Project of the Month
• Scrap Project of the Month
• Doily Project of the Month