Crochet Handbag Pattern
This Crochet Handbag project makes a Newbie look like an Expert.
The directions are written so you can make the handbag any size you like. I don’t count stitches, instead the areas are named (starting point, end point, so on) and the pictures will show you want the areas look like so you don’t get confused.
You will need:
Peaches & Cream 2 scanes
Hook G6
(Using a hook 1 size smaller than required by the yarn makes the bag stiffer and helps it stand.)
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
First 2 ch always counts as first hdc.
Reduce = Yarn over, go through space, yarn over and pull through, go through next space, yarn over and pull through. Yarn over and pull through all. That is 1 Reduced hdc. If the directions ask for 2 reduced hdc, do that entire process twice. You will be reducing 4 hdc to 2 hdc.
Base:
Ch 32 (or more if you want a larger handbag or fewer if you want it kid size)
Row 1: *starting point – 1 hdc 3rd ch from hook, 3 hdc in same space.
2 hdc in next space.
1 hdc in each ch until the second to the last ch.
In the second to the last ch make 2 hdc in same space.
In last ch make 4 hdc. The last 4 hdc are the “end point”.
On the other side of the chain, 2 hdc to mirror the other side, then 1 hdc in each ch until you reach the starting point. Slip stitch into starting point.
Row 2: ch 2, hdc in same space, 1 hdc in next space, 2 hdc in next space. Hdc in each space until you reach the end point. In the first hdc of the end point make 2 hdc, in the next space make 1 hdc and in the next space make 2 hdc.
That should put you on the other side, 1 hdc until you reach the starting point. Slip stitch into starting point.
Row 3: ch 2, hdc in same space, 2 hdc in the next 4 spaces.
1 hdc in each space until you reach the end point. 2 hdc in each of the next 5 spaces (around the end point) now you should be on the other side. 1 hdc in each space until you reach the starting point. Slip stitch into starting point.
That finishes the base.
Walls:
Row 4: In the slip stitch space 1 hdc. Do not ch 2. 1 hdc in each of the back loops (or what I call the Top V) all the way around. Slip stitch into first hdc.
Row 5 – the size you want: In the slip stitch space 1 hdc. Do not ch 2. 1 hdc in each space around. Slip stitch into first hdc.
Make this bag as big or as small as you want. The directions continue from the 2nd Row from the start of making the handles. I made 15 rows of Row 5, but you may want more or less.
2nd Row from the start of the handles:
Row A: hdc in same space, hdc in each space until you reach the curve in the starting point reduce twice (make 4 hdc into 2 hdc). (If needed the directions are at the top)
1 hdc in each space until you reach the end point. At the curve of the end point reduce twice. 1 hdc in each space until you reach the first hdc in that row, slip stitch into the first hdc.
Row B: hdc in same space, hdc in each space until you reach the curve in the starting point reduce once (make the 2 hdc you reduced last time into 1 hdc).
1 hdc in each space until you reach the end point. At the curve of the end point reduce once. 1 hdc in each space until you reach the first hdc in that row, slip stitch into the first hdc.
Handles:
I have tried time and time again to do the handles by count, but it never works right. The best way to measure where the handles need to be is to lay the bag flat and even. Count the amount of spaces you have and make 10 to 14 spaces the handle size. **SEE THE PICTURE**
I do this by laying the bag flat, finding what I feel is the middle and putting paperclips in the areas where the handles will be to stop me from crocheting in that space. It is the only way it has ever worked for me.
Again See the Picture Below, it all makes sense.
Once you have your handle area marked …..
Row C: hdc in same space, and in each space until you reach the first paperclip.
chain 1 more chain than you have spaces marked. So if you have 14 spaces between the paperclips you will chain 15, then on the other side of the second paperclip begin 1 hdc in each space until you reach the next paperclip on the other side of the handbag.
NOTE: Make sure the chain is not twisted.
At the third paperclip you do the same as before – chain 1 more chain than you have spaces marked, then 1 hdc in each space until you reach the first hdc of this row. Slip stitch into the first hdc. Remove paperclips.
Row D: hdc in each space. When you reach the chain for the handle make 1 hdc in each chain of the handle and continue around. Do this on both sides. Slip stitch into first hdc.
Row E: hdc in each space. hdc in each space around. Slip stitch into first hdc and fasten off.
