FINISHED MEASUREMENT OF SAMPLE
- Approximately 14.5 inches-(36.8 cm) wide x 12.5 inches-(31.7 cm) high (without strap)
YARN USED FOR SAMPLE
Needful Yarns — Geranium
50% linen — 30% acrylic — 20% rayon
1.75 ounces-(50 grams) - 104 yards-(95 cm) each ball
9 balls MAIN COLOR
- 2 STRANDS OF YARN ARE HELD TOGETHER - You do not necessarily need to obtain the same gauge or use a specific size hook with the yarn you choose or use the yarn doubled.
- Contrast colors - your choice of colors and how many of each
- I used six contrasting colors A through F
- Contrasting Color A (the darkest contrast to the main color was not used for any flowers)—it was only used to outline the purse and a few rows of basting on the front and back for embellishment.
- Contrasting Color B (a metallic yarn) was used for the center of some flowers.
- The Main Color was used for knitting a few flowers.
- Go to your stash, or purchase odds and ends, and select coordinating colors for your flowers. Different textures and weights add interest.
- Make approximately 23 flowers, a few leaves, and a few corkscrews in any color combinations you desire. Make some flowers using two colors. The flowers have to look pleasing to you, gauge is not important for the flowers. Try some yarn double and some single using different size crochet hooks, depending on the yarn.
SUGGESTED NEEDLE SIZES
- Size H-(5mm) crochet hook for, approximately the same yarn weight as used for the sample purse
- Size F-(3.75-mm) crochet hook for tabs and strap for the same yarn gauge as the sample purse
- Assorted hooks that work with your yarn for the flowers.
NOTIONS
- Gauge ruler
- Tracking sheet—included with pattern
- Tapestry needle
- Sharp sewing needle
- matching sewing thread
- Two 2 inch-(5 cm) O rings (If you want the option to switch between shoulder and hand-bag length straps, purchase opening O rings.
- Eight buttons to match rings—5/8 inch-(15 mm)
- Optional: 0.75 yard-(0.68 meters) lining for purse
- Zipperstop.com -a good resource (do not purchase until bag is completed)
GAUGE - How to measure gauge in single crochet
WITH 2 STRANDS OF YARN HELD TOGETHER
- 13 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches-(10 cm) in Single Crochet on size H hook with yarn weight similar as used in the sample
Exact stitch gauge and row gauge are essential for proper fit for most projects. For some projects the row gauge can be slightly different than called for in the written pattern, and in a few both the stitch and row gauge can be off.
For your purse to be the size of the sample, it is not the brand of yarn that matters, but the GAUGE that is important. It is best to refer to the yardage to determine how many skeins or balls to purchase
*THAT BEING SAID:
Two strands of yarn are held together to crochet the sample for a firm body, worked on a size H (5 mm) hook
You do not necessarily need to obtain the same gauge or use a specific size hook with the yarn you choose or use the yarn doubled.
The purse needs quite a bit of body to flatter the style.
You have leeway, but you have to experiment to get a good look and a reasonable purse size.
Try a yarn you would like to use. Try it single, double, and even two different yarns held together. Try different size hooks.
When you are satisfied with the look and feel, make a gauge with the same number of strands and same size hook.
The pattern is only written with one set of numbers for stitches and rows. They remain the same for any gauge, but the size of your purse may be different.
If your gauge has less stitches and rows than the sample gauge has, your purse will be larger.
If your gauge has more stitches and rows than the sample gauge has, your purse will be smaller.
After you know your gauge, using the chart on page 6, determine the size of your finished purse. If it is not a size that you are comfortable with, try different combinations of your yarn and hook.
If you are satisfied with the finished size your purse will be according to your gauge and is not too rigid or not too droopy, and most importantly is that you like it, if not try different size hooks
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