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Another rep runner in progress!

My new scarves – available here:
ModernNeedlepoint on Etsy

I first made this cute little crochet Easter bonnet about 4 years ago. I was messing around making hats and made this one without writing my pattern down. I also used a pansy flower design that was not my own. So, fast forward to 2012 and I finally have created the pattern using my original pansy flower design!

You can purchase this pattern several places:

On Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-pansy-easter-bonnet-hat
On Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/92837841/crochet-pansy-easter-bonnet-toddler-baby

The interlocking crochet technique opens up a huge range of possibilities. The double-sided patterns are such a bonus, especially when working on blankets and scarves.

Here is a colorway that I have used in a baby blanket for our little friend Sebastian. This is a sample of the same colorway but with a different pattern.

This book has a great set of patterns and teaches the basics of interlocking crochet.

Interlocking crochet is pretty basic once you get the hang of it. You create 2 separate rows of double crochet filet, then each row is worked with a separate color through the mesh of the other color. Now, when I first bought this book, I actually threw it across the room because I could not figure out the stitches. I HIGHLY recommend that you watch these tutorials by the author before you start.

http://www.interlockingcrochet.com/video-tutorials/interlocking-crochet-video-tutorials.html

This pattern has a different patterned opposite side, some have the same pattern with just the main dominant color reversed.

Much more to come!

I just finished this awesome slate gray crochet purse from my original pattern and now I need to add those important finishing touches of a zipper and lining. I have created this tutorial to show in detail how I did this! To see more images of purses created with this pattern see my earlier blog post.

Purchase this crochet purse pattern here!

Inserting the zipper:
Purchase a zipper that is an inch or two longer than your opening.

Unzip the zipper and start pinning to the top of the purse. Note how the zipper teeth are just above the last crochet stitch, not below or even. This will help to make sure your crochet does not get caught in the zipper when in use.

Here is a picture looking at it from another angle:

Continue pinning the zipper to the purse all the way around:

A look at the pinning from a some different angles:

Hand or machine sew the zipper in place. I prefer to hand sew, thus the “organic” stitches:

Note how the extra inches of the zipper just float down into the corner of the purse:

Congratulations! You now have a fully functioning zippered purse!

Next up, I will show you how to line the purse.

Lining the purse:

Lay your purse flat and take the following measurements:
1) Height of the front panel – add 1/2 inch to your measurements
2) Width of the front panel – add 1/2 inch to your measurements
3) Height of the gusset (bottom and side piece) If you have an envelope purse, this measurement is not necessary as there is no bottom per se. – add 1/2 inch to your measurements

Height of front panel of this purse = 5 1/2 inches:

Width of front panel of this purse = 6 1/2 inches:

Height of the gusset = 3 inches

Cutting your lining fabric:

Cut 2 pieces for your front and back that are 6 x 7 inches (this is your 5 1/2 height + 1/2 seam allowance x 6 1/2 width + 1/2 in seam allowance)

Cut 1 piece for the gusset that is 3 1/2 x 19 inches (this is your 3 in height + 1/2 seam allowance x the sum of the height of the two front panels and width of the front panel including their seam allowances = 6+6+7

Sewing your lining:

With right sides facing, place one of the front panels centered on the gusset panel as shown below. Place pins 1/2 inch from each side of the front panel to show you where to start and stop sewing.

Sew between the 2 pins.

Pull the front piece back and place the other front piece as described above and pin and sew in place.

Your lining should now look like this:

Now, match up the top of the side of the gusset with the top of the side of one of the front panels and pin. Note how this forms a box shaped corner.

Sew from 1/2 inch from the top down to the corner. Repeat on all 4 sides. Your lining should now look like this:

Test fit your lining by inserting into your purse to make sure it feels like there is more lining than the inside of the purse.

Now, since this particular purse has a gusset and the sides round out and decrease as they get towards the top where the handles attach, you will want to mimic this in the lining. Right now you have a very square lining and a rounded purse. So place some pins about 1/2 inch from the seam angling in a similar angle as the purse sides.

Sew a diagonal line towards the side of the lining. Cut off the excess fabric from both sides.

See how much more like your purse the lining looks now! Next, press a 1/2 inch seam around the top of the lining.

Now place pins in the middle front of both sides of the lining and the purse.

Now insert the lining into the purse and line up the pins and re-pin the middle fronts of the lining to the middle fronts of the purse.

Now pin the lining all the way around the purse.

Now hand or machine sew all the way around the purse.

Voila! A completely finished purse!!!

Here are some other colors I have worked my pattern in:

Purchase this crochet purse pattern here!

It has been almost 3 years since I made my first crochet purse out of this great nylon, first mentioned in my blog post here.

I have finally recreated this purse and created a pattern as well that I have for sale. I am thrilled with this little purse, perfect for those grab and go days. I am not one for large purses, just ones that have room enough for the essentials, wallet, phone and keys. This design has a deceptively large amount of space inside due to the gusseted sides.

Purchase this crochet purse pattern here!

I have completed the pattern for this awesome purse! I am working it up in black and slate gray and they looks amazing. Here is the post of the black purse.

Purchase this crochet purse pattern here!

Would you like to know how I inserted the zipper and lining into this purse? Here is a tutorial on how to do this!

Started this Friday and finished Saturday, crocheted with Dark Olive Hilos La Espiga nylon no.18. I took my favorite leather purse and created a template for me to crochet.