Felted Polka Dot Purse

Crochet and felt this fun polka dot purse and matching cosmetic bag. This free bag crochet pattern is a fun project to complete quickly for a gift or to enjoy.

Materials:

• Patons Classic Wool, #4 medium, 100g/3.5 oz.
• 3 skeins of deep olive (A), 1 skein of old gold (B), 1 skein of sesame (C)
• Crochet hook size K
• Yarn Needle

Unfinished square size (before felting): large square  7 “, small square 3 ½  “

Unfinished strap size (before felting): 32 ½ “ x 3 ½ “

Finished size of purse:  Appx. 14” wide x 11” high

Note: Gauge is not important due to felting, the size of the purse may vary ½ ” smaller or larger. Assemble squares before felting them, felt strap separately to sew on after drying.

Stitches: Ch – Chain, Slst – Slip Stitch, Sc – Single Crochet, Hdc – Half Double Crochet,

Dc – Double Crochet, Trc – Trc Crochet, Scdec – Single Crochet Decrease

Round n’Square block (large)

Make a total of 12 (Using B on 6 squares and C on 6 squares in the middle)

Use B or C to Chain 5, join with a Slst to form ring. Weave in loose ends as you go.

Round 1: Ch 3 to count as first Dc, work 15 more Dc in ring; join with a Slst to top of beginning Ch 3 (16 Dc) fasten off B or C

Round 2: Join A and Ch 3 - counts as first Dc, * Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next stitch* repeat two times, Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (32 stitches)

Round 3: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, *Dc in next 3 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 3 stitches * repeat two times, Dc in next 3 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 2 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (48 stitches)

Round 4: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, *Dc in next 5 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 5 stitches * repeat two times, Dc in next 5 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 4 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (64 stitches)

Round 5: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, *Dc in next 7 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 7 stitches * repeat two times, Dc in next 7 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 6 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (80 stitches)

Round 6: Chain 1 to count as the first single crochet, *single crochet in next 9 stitches, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, single crochet in next 9 stitches * repeat two times, single crochet in next 9 stitches, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, single crochet in next 8 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3.

Fasten off. (88 stitches)

Round n’Square block (small)

Make a total of 12 (Using B on 6 squares and C on 6 squares in the middle)

Use B or C to Chain 5, join with a Slst to form ring. Weave in loose ends as you go.

Round 1: Ch 3 to count as first Dc, work 15 more Dc in ring; join with a Slst to top of beginning Ch 3 (16 Dc) fasten off B or C

Round 2: Join A and Ch 3 - counts as first Dc, * Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next stitch* repeat two times, Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (32 stitches)

Round 3: Chain 1 to count as the first single crochet, *single crochet in next 3 stitches, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, single crochet in next 3 stitches * repeat two times, single crochet in next 3 stitches, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, work 2 half Dc in next stitch, single crochet in next 3 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 1.

Fasten off. (48 stitches)

Strap:

Make 2

With A Chain 101,

Row 1: Sc in second Ch from hook, Sc in each Ch across, turn (100 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in each Sc across, turn (100 sc)

Row 3: Ch 2, Hdc in next 15 Sc, *Slst in next 6 Sc,  Hdc in next 6 Sc, Repeat from * 5 times, Slst in next 6 Sc, Hdc in next 14 Sc, turn, carry A  along edge of work (do not fasten off A)

Row 4: Join C in top of first Hdc, Ch 1, Sc in 14 Hdc, *Dc in next 6 Slst, Sc in next 6 Hdc, Repeat from * 5 times, Dc in next 6 Slst, Sc in 15 Hdc, turn, fasten off C, (107 stitches)

Row 5: Join B in top of first Sc, Ch 1, Sc in 15 Sc, *Dc in next 6 Dc, Sc in next 6 Sc, Repeat from * 5 times, Dc in next 6 Dc, Sc in 14 Sc, turn, fasten off B, (107 stitches)

Row 6: Pick up A Ch 2, Hdc in next 14 Sc, *Slst in next 6 Dc, Hdc in next 6 Sc, Repeat from * 5 times, Slst in next 6 Dc, Hdc in next 15 Sc, turn, (107 stitches)

Row 7: Ch 1, Sc in 15 Sc, * Sc in next 6 Slst, Scdec by working next 2 Sc together in next 2 Hdc, Sc in next 4 Hdc, Repeat from * 5 times, Scdec by working next 2 Sc together in next 2 Hdc, Sc in next 4 Hdc, Sc in 14 Sc, turn (100 sc)

Row 8: Ch 1, Sc in each Sc across, turn (100 sc)

Row 9: Ch 1, Hdc in each Sc across row (do not turn, continue around outside of strap), 2 Hdc in corner, Hdc across short end of strap, 2 Hdc in corner, Hdc in each ch across chainside of beginning chain row, Hdc across short end of strap, join with a slst to Hdc in corner, fasten off, (222 Hdc around outside of strap)

Assembly: Join large squares together 2 high and 6 across, then join short sides together to form a circle, flatten into a square for purse of 6 squares wide and 2 squares high, sew a seam across the bottom. Join small squares together 1 high and 12 across, then join short sides together to form a circle, adjust small squares to fit on top of large squares (2 small squares per large square) sew small squares to large. Fasten of and weave in all loose ends with a needle. Flatten and square off purse and felt bag separate with straps as below.

Felting

Put the purse and straps into a pillowcase/mesh bag, tie the top, put this, 3 tennis balls or heavy clothing in the washer with ¼  the normal amount of soap (do not use softener and do not spin, it will stop the felting process). Use small load setting, hot water on regular cycle (usually 15 minutes for wash and first rinse), set a timer, turn off immediately after first rinse/spin, remove the pillow case before a full rinse/spin. Flatten and stretch the bag and straps out on a large towel. If you need to shrink them more, repeat the process. It takes me 2 cycles of felting. When felted to the size you like, squeeze most of the water out by reshaping and laying flat on a large work area between 2 clean towels, press down to absorb excess water. Let sit overnight, reshape if necessary. After 2 days of drying, punch in the side-top of the bag and press in so it holds a small fold on each side (this is where the straps will be attached). sew the straps to the inside of this fold. Lining can be added but not necessary.

Cosmetic Bag:

Make 2 Round n’ Square Squares as follows:

(Using B on 1 square and C on 1 square in the middle)

Use B or C to Chain 5, join with a Slst to form ring. Weave in loose ends as you go.

Round 1: Ch 3 to count as first Dc, work 15 more Dc in ring; join with a Slst to top of beginning Ch 3 (16 Dc) fasten off B or C

Round 2: Join A and Ch 3 - counts as first Dc, * Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next stitch* repeat two times, Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (32 stitches)

Round 3: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, *Dc in next 3 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 3 stitches * repeat two times, Dc in next 3 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 2 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (48 stitches)

Round 4: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, *Dc in next 5 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 5 stitches * repeat two times, Dc in next 5 stitches, work 2 Dc and 1 Trc in next stitch, work 1 Trc and 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 4 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (64 stitches)

Round 5: Chain 1 to count as the first single crochet, Sc in next 7 stitches, *work 2 Hdc in next stitch, work 2  Hdc in next stitch, Hdc in next 14 stitches, Repeat * one time, Sc in next 14 stitches, Repeat * one time, Hdc in next 14 stitches, Repeat * one time, Sc in next 6 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3.

Fasten off. (72 stitches)

Round 6: Chain 1 to count as the first single crochet, Sc in next 9 stitches, *work 2 Hdc in next stitch, work 2  Hdc in next stitch, Hdc in next 18 stitches, Repeat * one time, Sc in next 18 stitches, Repeat * one time, Hdc in next 18 stitches, Repeat * one time, Sc in next 8 stitches, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3.

Fasten off. (88 stitches)

Sew the 2 squares together on both short sides and along bottom long side.

Flap: Attach Yarn A to open end of compact bag, on the right side,

Row 1: *Ch 1, Sc in next 21 Sc, turn (22 sc)

Row 2 through 4: Repeat row 1 from * (22 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, Slst in next stitch, Ch 1, Sc in next 18 Sc, Scdec (work 2 together) in next 2 sc, turn (19 sc + 1 ch)

Row 6 through 8: Decreasing 2 each row, repeat row 5 until you have (13 sc + 1ch)

Row 9: Ch 1, Sc in first Scdec, Sc in next 3 Sc, Ch 6, Skip 6 Sc, Sc in last 4 stitches, turn

(8 sc + 6 ch)

Row 10: Ch 1, Sc in next 3 Sc, Sc in each Ch 6, Sc in last 4 stitches, turn (13 sc + 1ch)

Row 11: Ch 1, Slst in next stitch, Ch 1, Sc in next 10 Sc, Scdec (work 2 together) in next 2 sc, turn (11 sc + 1 ch)

Row 12: Ch 1, Slst in next stitch, Ch 1, Sc in next 8 Sc, Scdec (work 2 together) in next 2 sc, turn (9 sc + 1 ch)

Row 13: Ch 1, Sc in next 9 Sc, (10 stitches) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Button: Take a small plastic ring, make a slip knot with gold yarn, Sc around ring until completely covered with yarn, fasten off leaving a 12” tail, thread tail into needle and thread yarn through the top of each sc around ring, pull yarn through to tighten up hole in middle and knot, thread yarn through middle of center to back, stuff back hole with a small piece of cotton and sew across back ring from bottom of one sc across to opposite sc, until closed. Fasten off , weave in ends and sew button to front of bag to match button hole closure. Felt the same as purse and straps.