Thursday, March 24, 2011

Free Pattern: Easy Beginner Felted Crocheted Practical Momma Messenger Bag

Free Pattern: Easy Beginner Felted Crocheted Practical Momma Messenger Bag

After searching for months in many stores for a purse I liked I came up with nothing. My requirements for an everyday bag are a long strap I can wear across my body, a pocket for lip gloss and debit card, big enough for a whole bunch of junk, and it has to be under $20. I hate silly frilly designer bags so I rebelled my making my own bag. It took about three days of working on it but it will last a long time so I think the time investment was worthwhile.

I used a sz J crochet hook and about 2.5 skeins of worsted weight Nature Spun by Brown Sheep Co. I used my favorite colors in a random stripe pattern but the pattern is written for a solid color. If you want stripes I’m assuming you know how to change colors. Deal?

Start by Chaining 50+3 for turning chain.

Row 1: Work 50 dc sts across including turning ch.

Row 2-14: Repeat row 1. After completing 14th row ch 75+3 for turning ch.

Row 15: Dc across 75 st + original 50, 125 sts total.

Row 16 and 17: Repeat row 15. This is half the strap of your bag.

Row 18: Ch 3 and dc across next 49 st. Ch 30+3 for turning chain. You are working on the flap of purse now.

Row 19-43: Ch 3 and dc in next 79 sts. 80 sts total.

Row 44: Ch 3 and dc in next 49 sts. Then ch 75+ 3 for turning ch.

Row 45-47: Ch 3. Dc across 75 st + original 50, 125 sts total.

Row 48-60: Ch 3. Dc across next 49 sts, 50 sts total.

Now slip st or sew row 60 to row 1 to form the body of your purse.

Next slip st or sew the bottom of the bag closed. Take time to do this step carefully so your coins don’t fall out the bottom.

After you weave in all the ends throw this in the laundry with some jeans or towels you don’t mind getting fuzzy and wash in hot water with detergent. This step may need to be repeated if there are any holes visible in your bag/if you can still see the individual stitches. Reshape bag and let dry. After I felted mine once the strap was 46″ long. The width was 13″ and the height was 12″.

Optional steps: If you have the time you can add a fabric pocket or line the whole thing in a coordinating fabric. Embroidery looks great on the flap and at this point your imagination can go wild.

Send me photos if you make this!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ShannondzikasArtYarnVintage/192564100770141

To see my other projects check out my Etsy store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shannondzikas?ref=si_shop.

Thanks!

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