Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Crocheted Purse with Beaded Strap


Well, its mid week, and I think I will be able to get my apron mailed tomorrow (hope you like it Anne).  I hadn't stated a deadline to send it, but in talking with a couple of the gals through e-mail, decided Ocotober 25th would make a good deadline to mail (let me know girls, if you can't make the deadline and we'll  still make it work). Perhaps you all can e-mail me once you have received your apron, and I will e-mail you back once I hear from everyone then we can all post at the same time if we want to.

My project this week was inspired by all that yarn I got last week.  I started crocheting and the next thing I knew, I had finished this little purse.  It was very quick and easy.  If you are a crocheter and have ever crocheted a hot pad, then you can make this purse.  I began with the basic hot pad pattern.. chain the length you desire, then turn and double back with a single crochet in each chain, following around and around until you reach the height that you want. (click here for a nice set of instructions http://www.mielkesfarm.com/diagonal_hotpad.htm  ) (just a note, I'm having trouble making this link go directly to the site, so click on it and if it doesn't come up right away, hit your return button and it will come up then... not sure why its not completely linking).

I increased a few rows to make a larger bottom half and then decreased slowly at the top.

I couldn't resist a beaded strap.  I picked out beads I had on hand, matching colors and stringing a fun little design.  I used a medium gauge wire, stringing it with beads, adding 3 crimps and running it through a couple of rows of crocheted stitches. I finished it like I would a necklace (see jewelry under 52 weeks of projects... previous post). Clamp crimps and be sure to glue them with bead glue.  I glued them quite liberally to make sure they would not slip under the weight.  You could crochet a nice little strap if you didn't want to use beads, but they really did add a little glamour to the purse.

I am by no means an expert crocheter or knitter, but do enjoy a nice easy project. This one can be done in a few hours while on a trip or having a nice little visit with someone.

Blessings
 Pam


Its hard to believe that you can turn this into a purse, but you can.


 Pretty yarn makes a difference.  Start with a fat chunky yarn, (red yarn on bottom) 1/3 third of the way up add a nice nobby yarn (on top). I used a multi -colored, nobby yarn along with the red.


Using medium to large gauge wire, string your beads, then crimps, then string wire through 2 or 3 stitches of crocheted bag.

 Bring wire around and back into crimps.


Squeeze crimps firmly.


Drop a couple of drops of glue onto crimps, soaking both crimps and wire.


 Test it out. This one holds wonderfully.


There it is.

7 comments:

  1. Mom what a beautiful little purse! I love the yarn you used! And how you beaded the handle! I am sure Grandma Ginny would love this! I love your 52 week projects! I am also excited about the apron swap! I think the best part will be after everyone has posted and I get to read all of the different stories! So excited! LOVE YOU!!!!

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  2. That is the cutest little purse!! Just love its adorable size and shape. The beaded handle is so sweet also!!!

    I am so glad you posted the because after talking to yo on the phone today I was really impatient to see it!!!!

    LOVE YOU!!!
    ~ Marie

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  3. I read your craft posts and it all sounds so easy. e-a-s-y p-e-e-z-y.
    But I wouldn't have a clue where to start! That purse is so gorgeous. A crochet handle would have been fine, but the beaded one really adds to it. Beautiful.
    Apron will head to the post today!
    Love, Anne x

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  4. I'm glad you like the purse girls. I'll try not to use up all the yarn before I divide it up with you. I can't seem to stop crocheting now that I have begun and have such delightful pickings to choose from Love you so much.

    Ha ha Anne, it really is all eezy peezy because I am no expert at anything.... just can't help indulging myself in this area. Excited about the apron.
    Much Love,
    Pam

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  5. What a cute idea!!! I LOVE it!!!
    You did such a good job!
    LOVE the colors you picked too! Although, if I were to make one, Abi would steal it away and fill it full of treasures. :-D
    So fun to see the step by step progress too!!!
    Much much love!!!

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  6. That is one pretty little purse! I finished my first crochet hat today but it's far too small for me ( I have a big head!). I'm going to try again tonight and adapt the pattern to make it bigger. Thankfully the pattern was quick and it only took me a few hours to make up.

    Now that I've seen this purse though, I'm getting distracted!

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  7. Oh what a SWEET little purse...I Know how to Crochet..but only on stitch.. : ) I think it's called the Basket Weave..and then not to mention I can only do straight lines...Meaning Lots of Blankets and Scrafs..I don't know how to turn it into anything... : ) and would be afraid to try...no telling what would come out.. : ) I would love to learn how to Knit..but my goodness I can barely Crochet and thats One hook..Knitting has TWO needles...We had an exchange student who tried to teach me..I couldn't get the tension down...Maybe that means I was REALLY TENSE..when doing it.. : )
    See you at the Next Post.. : )

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