21-Oct-2023

This purse is loosely based on Tinna’s zippered purse pattern, but with my own enhancements. I love the idea of starting with the zipper but also wanted to start with the lining first. And I wanted it larger with a boxy shape. I figured out the finished dimensions (using an existing faux leather purse as a guide) and hand-sewed the lining (with inserted zipper) out some beautiful silk dupioni fabric I’ve had in my stash for about 15 years. Then I started crocheting a flat rectangular top around the zipper with mosaic pattern sides.

01-Jan-2024

The bottom needed to be stiff so I cut plastic needlepoint canvas to fit. Then I crocheted two separate rectangles the same exact size with correct number of stitches to match all four sides of the bag - took several attempts with different hook sizes. On the last round of the second rectangle, I inserted plastic canvas between the two rectangles & crocheted the two rectangles together on all four edges. And forgot to mention, I had encased plastic canvas in a tight cover of the silk dupioni so no sharp edges would wear out the perle cotton. Then as a last step, I crocheted the bottom to the bag.

01-Feb-2024

The sides were challenging too - and I don’t even know how to describe what I did. I had worked back-loop single crochet (no mosaic pattern) on the sides of the purse as I did each round because I knew I wanted to do something to reinforce the sides. So what I did was work rows of regular single crochet into the free front loops, starting at the bottom of the purse and working up the sides, turning at the end of each row - so I had to insert the hook into the free loop two different ways, took a lot of effort. But I was very pleased with the end result.

18-Feb-2024

I’ve finished everthing except for the strap. I knew I would need to reinforce the strap so it wouldn’t stretch out ad infinum - and it took me a long time with several samples to finally decide what would work. I’ve sewn the dupioni silk that I used for the lining around a length of 7/8” grosgrain ribbon - tucking in all raw edges - so it’s three layers (ribbon enclosed by silk). I am now attaching the resulting internal stiffener to both end of the handle tube so I can crochet around it. I will post a pic because it is a bit difficult to describe.

24-Mar-2024

More strap notes, 15.5 inches left - working towards the middle. I’m averaging 7 rows per inch = 108.5 rows, round up to 110 or 55 each side. Next I’ll make a spreadsheet of color pattern with blues & brown

10-Apr-2024

I completed the purse last Friday evening and started using it the very next day. This week (Monday through today) I had a very unique work opportunity, got to go to a conference in Minneapolis and it was nice to have a new purse - exactly the right size - to use.

I’m very pleased with this project. The zipper top is a little bit tighter than ideal (maybe by half inch) but not enough to be a real hindrance. In some ways it’s probably better to have it on the tight side so my wallet doesn’t easily slip out. So on to the next project.