Given the trim pattern for a vintage handbag:
29th rnd: * Sc in next sc, ch 5, skip 2 sc. Repeat from * around, ending with a sl st in 1st sc. 30th rnd: Sc in joining st, * 5 sc over next ch-5 loop, sc over next sc. Repeat from * around. Sl st in 1st sc. 31st rnd: Sl st to center sc of next 5-sc group, sc in center sc, * ch 3, sc in center sc of next 5-sc group. Repeat from * around, ending with a sl st in 1st sc. 32nd rnd: Sc in joining st, * 3 sc over next ch-3 loop, sc over next sc. Repeat from * around, sl st in 1st sc. Break off.
Improvise to make a smaller handbag or a purse.
Almost any crocheted trim or edging may be used with simple sc and dc stitches to make a handbag or purse. For this crochetology problem, I used an edging originally published by The Spool Cotton Company, Book No. 219, in 1945.
Beaded olive pruse, front
The body of this purse is worked first, followed by the flap (where the trim pattern is used) and then the beadwork. Finally, the crocheted piece is folded and sewn along the sides. Select an appropriate bead or button for the enclosure of the purse. In this piece, I used a green color wooden bead.
The back of the crocheted purse.
Instructions:
Ch 41. Turn.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc across.
*Ch 1. Turn. Sc in each sc across. Repeat from * 42 times or until purse is of desired height when crocheted piece is folded in half.
Begin purse flap as follows:
Rnd 1: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in first 3 sc. * Ch 3. Skip 2 sc. Sc in next sc. Repeat from * across ending with 3 sc in last 3 sc from previous row. Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 2: Sc in 3 sc. *Sc in each 3-ch loop, sc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat from rnd 1 two more times or until purse flap is of desired height.
Fold crocheted piece and with sc join the front and back sides of the purse. Weave in all ends.
Use glass beads, needle and thread to make the flowers and leaves design shown in the photos.
Use a wood bead or button for the enclosure of the purse. The loop was made of tiny glass beads.
Variations can be made using different color and types of thread. Below is one example using brown yarn with a green crocheted star as embellishment.
A variation with green star
Instructions:
Use brown yarn. Ch 41. Turn.
Dc in 3rd ch from hook. Dc across.
*Ch 2. Turn. Dc in each dc across. Repeat from * 24 times or until purse is of desired height when crocheted piece is folded in half.
Begin purse flap as follows:
Rnd 1: Ch 1. Turn. Sc in first 3 sc. * Ch 3. Skip 2 sc. Sc in next sc. Repeat from * across ending with 3 sc in last 3 sc from previous row. Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 2: Sc in 3 sc. *Sc in each 3-ch loop, sc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat from rnd 1 two more times or until purse flap is of desired height.
Fold crocheted piece and with sc join the front and back sides of the purse. Weave in all ends.
Opening the purse reveals the green star.
Star:
Use two strands: one green and the other yellow-green. Use Steel crochet hook no. 4.
Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, half dc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, half dc in next ch, sc in last ch.
2nd arm: Ch 10. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, half dc in next 2 ch, dc in next 3 ch, half dc in next 2 ch, sc in last ch.
3rd arm: Ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, half dc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, half dc in next ch, sc in last ch.
4th arm: Ch 8. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, half dc in next ch, dc in next 3 ch, half dc in next ch, sc in last ch.
5th arm: Ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, half dc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, half dc in next ch, sc in last ch.
Sc into first ch of first leaf. Break off.
Sew wooden bead with golden glass bead as button for purse flap, then sew star over the bead as shown in photo below. Make a loop of small green glass beads of size fitting the wooden bead.
The purse measures around 7 inches wide and 5 inches high. If you wish, you can make a larger purse, and if it is too soft for putting things in, you can stiffen the purse by crocheting more stars at the back. Or, of course, by using thicker yarn.
