Felted Sunflower Purse

I made this purse for my granddaughter Kalista. The purse is very closely felted for sturdiness and can be made with a short or long handle. Follow this purse crochet pattern to make your own.

Materials:

• Wool felting yarn, #4 WW, 100g/3.5 oz.
  (A) 1 skein navy/2 strands held together
  (B) 1 skein of old gold &1 skein of sesame/1 strand of each held together
  (C) 1 skein Gray & 1 skein of deep olive /1 strand of each held together
  (MC) Fisherman’s wool Brown/2 strands held together
• Crochet hook size M
• Yarn Needle

Unfinished square size (before felting): large square/rectangle  16” x 14”

Unfinished short strap size (before felting): 45 “ long

Finished size of purse: Appx. 13” wide x 11” high

Note: Pattern is written for short handle purse, Long handle purse is made by using a solid color yarn in the center of each chain of the Braid strap and increasing the strap to 52” long.

Gauge is not important due to felting, the size of the purse may vary ½ ” smaller or larger. Assemble squares and strap before felting them.

Stitches: Ch – Chain, Slst – Slip Stitch, Sc – Single Crochet,  Dc – Double Crochet, Trc – Triple Crochet.

Round n’Square Block:

Make a total of 2 (Using 2 strands together for entire purse)

Use (MC) to Chain 3, join with a Slst to form ring. Weave in loose ends as you go.
Round 1: Ch 2, work 7 sc in ring; join with a Slst to top of beginning Ch 2 (8 sc)
Round 2: Ch 3 - counts as first Dc,  Dc in same space as ch 3, work 2 Dc in each sc around, join with a Slst to top of beginning ch3 (16 dc)
Round 3: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, *Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc in next stitch
Repeat * to end, join with a Slst to top of beginning ch 3 (32 dc) Fasten off MC & join A in any dc
Round 4:  With A Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, Dc in next stitch, work 2 Dc  in next stitch, *Dc in next 2 stitches, work 2 Dc  in next stitch, Repeat * to end, join with Slst to top of beginning ch 3 (42 dc),
Round 5: 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 6 stitches * repeat three times, 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 (48 stitches) Fasten off A & join B in any dc.
Round 6: With B Chain 2 to count as the first hdc, hdc in next 9 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in corner stitch, Hdc in next 10 stitches, repeat * three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in corner stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (60 stitches).
Round 7: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, Dc in next 11 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 12 stitches * repeat three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch,  join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (68 stitches) Fasten off B & join C.
Round 8: With C Chain 2 to count as the first hdc, hdc in next 13 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in corner stitch, Hdc in next 14 stitches, repeat * three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in corner stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (76 stitches)
Round 9: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, Dc in next 15 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 16 stitches * repeat three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (84 stitches) Fasten off C & join MC
Round 10: With MC Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, Dc in next 17 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 18 stitches * repeat three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (92 stitches)
Round 11: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, Dc in next 19 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 20 stitches * repeat three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (100 stitches)
Round 12: Chain 3 to count as the first Dc, Dc in next 21 stitches, *work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, Dc in next 22 stitches * repeat three times, work 2 Dc,1 Trc, 2 Dc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3 (108 stitches)
Round 13: Chain 1 to count as the first sc, Sc in next 23 stitches, *work 2 Hdc,1 Dc 2 Hdc in next stitch, Sc in next 24 stitches * repeat three times, work 2 Hdc,1 Dc, 2 Hdc in next stitch, join with a slip stitch in beginning chain 1 (116 stitches) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Purse sides for strap: (repeat these 2 rows 4 times)

Note: Repeat these 2 rows opposite each other on the sides of each square to weave in the straps.

Back of work facing, with M hook and MC, join yarn in first stitch at a corner.
Row 1: Ch 1, Sc 52 sc across side of purse, turn
Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in first 2 sc, *Ch 2, Skip next 2 sc, Sc in next 2 sc, Repeat * 12 times, Sc in next 2 sc,  fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew Purse seams:  Line up the purse squares, with the front sides together, put a marker in the top stitch on the left and right side. Using these markers as a guide sew down the side seam through the Sc and Ch stitches of the square, across the bottom of bag and back up the other side through the Sc and Ch stitches of the square. You will have chain spaces on the sides for weaving strap.

Braided Strap:

Make 1 strap

Use 3 strands from the balls of the following color combo’s together for 1 chain.

1. With 1 strands of Taupe, 1 strand of Sesame and 1 strand of Red held together ch (118) measuring approximately 48 inches un-felted, leave a 12 inch tail at beginning and end of chain
    
2. With 1 strands of Gold, 1 strand of Sesame and 1 strand of Gray held together ch (118) measuring approximately 48 inches un-felted, leave a 12 inch tail at beginning and end of chain
    
3. With 1strand of Red, 1 strand of Light Green and 1 strand of Gold held together ch (118) measuring approximately 48 inches un-felted, leave a 12 inch tail at beginning and end of chain

Finish Strap: Braid these 3 chains together medium tight until strap is approximately 45 inches long, knot the 9 strand tassel together tightly as close to braid as possible on one end only.

Weave in strap:

Divide tassel strands into half and thread one half into each side of seam chain hole from inside to outside of bottom of purse seam, bring tassel back together and tie with a slip knot to outside, pull snug, thread braid back through seam in and out of side seam through chain holes to top of purse, repeat threading braid down other side of purse in same manner, keeping strap straight, when you get to bottom chain hole on the other side, divide tassel strands into half and thread into each side of seam chain hole from inside to outside of bottom of purse seam, bring tassel back together and tie with a slip knot, pull snug, Trim tassel to about 3 or 4 inches.

Finish and Felt:

Put the purse into a pillowcase, tie the top, put bag along with some clothing in the washer with detergent (do not use softener and do not spin). Do a med. small load, use hot water on regular cycle (usually 15 minutes for wash and first rinse) turn off immediately after first rinse/spin, remove bag before a full rinse/spin. Flatten and stretch the purse and straps out on a large towel, carefully pull tassels apart (they will be clumpy like dreadlocks) measure, if you need to shrink purse more, repeat process. It usually takes 2 or 3 cycles of felting. When felted to the size you like, squeeze most of the water out, reshape and trim tassels to about 2 inches, lay flat on a large work area between 2 clean towels, press down to absorb excess water. Cut a heavy piece of cardboard to fit purse, cover with saran wrap, place cardboard inside and let dry overnight. Again, stretch sides of purse, strap and tassels to shape.. Shave purse to remove fuzz and dry about 2 days. Purse is thick enough that you don’t need a liner.