Fun & Flirty Crocheted Purse

**If you like my blog and patterns, please vote for me on the Crochet and Hook list. Vote by clicking the blue box towards the top in the left margin of my blog. Thank you so much!! Let me know what you think of my patterns -- just click the email link (also in the left hand margin).**

FUN & FLIRTY CROCHETED PURSE

**The usual disclaimer: This pattern is my original work, and is meant for your personal use and enjoyment. Please do not distribute or sell copies of this pattern or present it as your own design or Guido the crochet design enforcer shall visit you in the night. :)**

If you like this pattern, or the other original patterns posted at my website, please take a moment and vote for my site on the Crochet & Hook List. Just click on the link in the left hand margin of this webpage! Thank you for your support!!

Supplies:

Size J crochet hook
2 Balls Lion brand Fun Fur (or other fur/eyelash yarn)
1 8 oz skein of WW yarn -- acrylic or natural fiber
1 ball metallic size 10 thread, or desired color
**This bag is not felted so it can be made from any sort of WW yarn you prefer. **
1 decorative button (or 3 buttons if you choose the alternate handle attachment)
Small Yarn needle for working in ends and sewing on button.

Instructions:

Using ww yarn and size 10 thread held together, chain 21.

**The first few rows are worked in the round without joining. This will form an oval for the bottom of the bag, with shaping done by decreased stitches.**

Row1: hdc in 2nd chain from hook and across to last chain. Ch 1. Hdc in loops along bottom of original chain and across to first stitch on row 1. Do NOT join. Put a stitch marker on the first stitch of the round to mark the beginning stitch. 40 stitches

Row 2-4: hdc around. Do not join. (40 stitches)

Row 5: hdc in next 18 st, hdc decrease over next 2 st, hdc in next 18 st, hdc dec over next 2 st (38 st). Do not join. Continue in round.

Row 6-9: hdc around. Do not join. (38 st)

Row 10: hdc in next 12 st, hdc dec over next 2 st, hdc in next 3 st, hdc dec over next 2 st, hdc in next 12 st, hdc dec over next 2 st, hdc in next 3 st, hdc dec over next 2 st. (34 st). Put a stitch marker on last st.

Row11: hdc in next 12, ch 1, hdc in dec from row 10, hdc in next 3, ch 1, hdc in dec from row 10, hdc in next 12 st, ch 1, hdc in dec from row 10, hdc in next 3, ch 1, JOIN with sl st to top of dec with marker from row 10. (34 st)

Row 12-15: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc) hdc around. Join with sl st to first ch 2.

Row 16: As row 12, but join 2 strands of Fun Fur in final stitch of row, and cut off size 10 thread, leaving 5 inch tail to weave in. **So you will be working with ww yarn and two strands of Fun Fur for the next several rows. **

Row 17-20: Ch 2, hdc around, join with sl st to first ch 2. Cut off 2 strands of Fun Fur leaving 5 inch tails to weave in. Rejoin size 10 thread. Continue with ww yarn and size 10 thread held together.

Row 21: ch 2, hdc around, join with sl st to first ch 2.

Repeat row 21 until bag is desired size.

There are two ways to join the handles for this bag.

Loop method

Continue repeating row 21 until bag is desired height.
Row 1: ch 2, hdc in next 13 st, ch 3, skip next 3 hdc, hdc in next 14, ch 3, skip next 3 hdc,join in top of first ch 2.
Row 2-3: hdc around. Finish off.

Basic handle:

Ch 7, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across. Repeat until desired length, plus 6 inches.

Starting outside of the bag, put one end of handle through the ch 3 space, and pull through about 3 inches of handle. Secure end to strap using decorative button. Repeat for the other side, making sure that strap isn't twisted.

Crochet method:

Find the middle six stitches at corner of bag. Attach ww yarn and 2 strands of Fun Fur in 1st stitch. hdc in next 5 st. Turn. Ch 2. hdc in next 5. Repeat until handle is desired length. Find middle six stitches at other corner of bag. Join to 1st st with sl st. Sl st in next 5. FO leaving 5" tail to work in.

Purse Flap:

Find middle 12 stitches on back of bag. Join ww yarn in 1st st
Row 1: ch 2, hdc in next 11. turn.
Repeat row 1 until flap measures 5 inches, or desired length.
Row 2: ch 2, hdc next 4 st, ch 2, skip next 2 hdc, hdc next 5 st. Turn. (10 hdc)
Row 3 Ch 2. Hdc in next 4 and in next 2 ch st, hdc in next 5 st. Turn. (12 hdc)
Row4-5: ch 2, hdc across. turn.
Row 6-8 : ch 2, hdc dec across 1st 2 st. hdc to last 2 hdc, hdc dec over last 2 st.

Folding flap over bag, check for correct button placement. Sew decorative button to front of purse, and button using ch 2 space on flap.