Thursday, March 01, 2007

Felted Clutch Purse

I'm not the gal who collects purses. I use bags and totes to carry my stuff. If I don't want a big bag, I put my license and a credit card in the back pocket of my jeans. But, this time, I need a clutch. My dh has won another award and we are invited to a snazzy dinner at the Boston's Four Season's Hotel with the CEO & Board of Directors for his company. I have my sister and another babysitter lined up. I found a dress - it's a dark navy sleeveless sheath dress with a matching jacket - and minutes ago UPS delivered my shoes. I just needed a purse. So a few days ago I had an idea for a felted clutch. I hunted through my stash in search of dark navy wool, but instead found Cascade 220 Quatro Black/Blue plied yarn. I thought it might be dark enough and set out to just wing it. My goal was a clutch about 8.5-9" x 5". So what do you think?

Felted Envelope Clutch

Hook : K (closer to 7.0mm)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Quatro
Prefelting dimensions:
12" x 19" unfolded,
12" x 11.5" folded, flap open,
12" x 8" clutch
Postfelting dimensions:
8.5" x 9" flap open,
8.5" x 5.5" clutch

Ch 36 (until I had 12 inches)

Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, ch 2, turn. (34 hdc)

Row 2-33: Repeat row 1 until fabric measures 15-16" (or desired length)

Row 34: hdc dec over first 2 stitches, hdc in next 30 st, hdc dec over last 2 stitches, ch 2, turn. (32 hdc)

Rows 35-40: repeat row 34 six more times. Fasten off. (20 hdc).

Fold bag bringing row 1 to row 31 (3 rows before the first decrease row). Whipstitch the side seams. FELT! Embellish with vintage pin. Here I use my dad's college ring given to my mom before he left for WWII and later made into a pin.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Gorgeous clutch Ginny!
I am continually amazed at you ability to jump in and make it work. Well done

Karen said...

Very nice -- sleek modern look with a touch of vintage.

Anonymous said...

What a cleaver and pretty project, Ginny. Most gals I know would go out and buy a clutch or purse. When you get gussied up, take a picture and share with us, please!
Hugs,
Sandy

Unknown said...

Ginny, I love it!!! Great job!
Hugs,

Tammy in Maine

Norah said...

It't beautiful and will look so nice with your outfit!

Norma said...

Ginny! That is elegant and practical and beautiful. You are amazing!

Anonymous said...

I'm not much for crocheted purses. I usually like something a little more elegant. This clutch though is fantastic! It will be the first (and possibly only)crocheted purse I'll make.
Laurie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I wondered if I might make this item to sell? NOT the pattern, but the finished item? I would give your name as the designer, and your website if prefered. I would sell them either online or at craft shows; your preference. That is beautiful basic purse. :) Thank you for sharing your pattern! I don't have a blog, so you can e-mail me at:
vickiespot@excite.com
and visit my online store (where I might sell finished item) by going to:
http://www.VickietoriasCrochet.etsy.com

Thanks again!

Zipperhead said...

Thank you so much for posting this pattern! Well done! It is beautiful. I have been searching for days for just the right felted clutch pattern and this is definitely it.

Thank you,

Keesha

http://chiarian.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I love to have different kind of puse specially for combine it with my clothes. I think every desing is identified with the personality of each woman. I prefer a comfortable and big purses because i usually carry many things even like when i buy viagra for my boyfriend.

Unknown said...

When i got my house by costa rica homes for sale i took all my document in my purse. Thanks God my purse was very big I had no problem. That´s why i prefer to use big bag every time. I really love it, because they are very comfortable.

Anonymous said...

I am a beginner. I wish patterns would tell me how much yarn to buy.

Anonymous said...

This patternis so beautiful :) It looks like one skein will do... if not that's what walmart is for, right? I cant wait to make and give this to my aunt for her birthday!