The crochet purse. A great idea, but one that often can’t stand alone.
What do I mean by that? Well, a granny square purse doesn’t work unless it’s lined. Otherwise, you lose things—coins, pens, IDs. Lining the purse solves the problem, but I’m a crocheter, not a seamstress!
Thankfully, I found a product that solved the problem: a purse/pocket insert! I found it on Amazon for $8.97. Again, I’m not allowed to buy yarn for this challenge, but I have allowed myself to buy accessories if needed.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I started my Granny Square Gauntlet (a challenge to crochet 100 squares in 100 days from this book) in mid-July. Part of that challenge is that I have to turn the squares into 10 different projects with only one being allowed to be a blanket.
Project 4/10: Granny Square Purse
Y’all! How cute is this?!
I think I might quickly lose it to one of my daughters, but this purse worked out just as I imagined!
I started with the two squares I previously made of Premier Hipster Cotton in Rainbow Rollerskates and Melon Berry and Premier Cotton Sprout DK in Molasses. The squares are Louise and Asteria, and you can find them here. I used a H (5.0mm) hook for the squares.
My first step was to make the squares into a shape/size that would fit the purse insert.
I added 4 rows of half-double crochet to both ends of the squares to turn them into rectangles. I really wanted that to be all I needed to do, but as you can see in the picture, the insert came with a flat bottom. I chained and measured against the base, which ended up being a stitch count of 12. So, for the bottom, I did rows of 12 hdc until it was the desired length. I then tapered the ends to accommodate more of the base.
I sewed the pieces together inside out, then turned them right side out and inserted the insert. I probably should have added the strap at this point, but I didn’t. Lesson learned.
I know I said I’m not a seamstress, but I did learn how to sew growing up. I even made a bunch of backless shirts for myself and my friends in college. I have a sewing machine and know enough to make serviceable items. I currently do a decent amount of embroidery. The reason I don’t do more sewing is because to sew you have to be exact with measurements and such. I’m not good at that. A crochet item grows into the right dimensions when dimensions are needed at all.
Anyway, using a sharp needle (not the finishing needle I usually use for yarn) and thread, I caught the back of the stitches around the top and sewed a blanket stitch around the top of the insert.
It’s not perfect, but it is surprisingly strong!
Next came the strap.
After a bit of online research on the best non-stretchy strap, I decided upon sc working the length horizontally. I used a foundation single crochet (also found online) until I reached a length I thought would work (measured by briefly hanging it on my person). I did four rows in the brown color and then a border of Rainbow Roller Skates. I attached it by sewing it to the ends of the purse, hiding the stitches under the strap.
Voila!
The strap is the perfect length for a crossbody (even if I didn’t sew them on completely centered—so sad). It can probably be tied for a shorter length.
I love that this challenge is pushing me out of my comfort zone on items. I have made purses before, but not like this. I will probably never make the strap a different way again.
You can check out the other three projects I’ve completed by clicking on the pictures below.
Keep stitching, Heidi
