Crocheted 4th of July Purse

By: Kreinik

Make your own patriotic purse with red, white, and blue stripes. This crocheted 4th of July purse is a great 4th of July craft idea, and it's sure to make you see stars!

Materials:

G double ended crochet hook
Large-eye needle
old credit card
3 (25m) spools Kreinik Heavy (#32) Braid 033 Royal Blue
2 (25m) spools Kreinik Heavy (#32) Braid 100 White
2 (25m) spools Kreinik Heavy (#32) Braid 003 Red

Instructions:

Show your colors with this patriotic pattern using the standard Tunisian or afghan stitch and the double-ended crochet hook. The three-color combination creates subtle stripes on one side and bold stripes on the reverse. Leave the strap long for an elegant shoulder bag, double the strap for a spunky handbag, or tuck in the strap for a streamlined clutch.

Foundation row: Using the G hook with blue, make starting knot and chain 36.

Pattern: Using the traditional Tunisian foundation, insert hook into back loop of chain second from hook, yarn over and draw through, leaving loop on hook. Continue to end. Drop blue. There will be 36 loops on the hook.

Turn hook. Slide stitches to working end. Make starting knot with white, place on hook and draw through first blue loop to secure thread. (Knots should be on opposite ends of the hook.) Using the traditional Tunisian Part two, yarn over and draw through white loop and one blue loop. Continue to end. One white loop will remain on hook.

Using the traditional Tunisian part one, insert hook behind front vertical post of the second stitch, yarn over and draw through leaving loop on hook. This is your second loop. Continue to end with white. Drop white. There will be 36 loops on the hook.

Turn hook. (Use a back and forth motion, so the thread does not become twisted.) Slide stitches to working end. Wrap white thread over hook to carry thread. Pick up blue. Using the traditional Tunisian part two, yarn over and draw through blue loop and one white loop. Continue until one blue loop remains on the hook.

Using the traditional Tunisian part one, insert hook behind front vertical post of the second stitch, yarn over, draw through. This is your second loop. Continue to end. Drop blue. There will be 36 loops on the hook.

Turn hook. Slide stitches to working end. Make starting knot with red, place on hook and draw through first blue loop. (White knot and red knot should be on the same side of the hook, opposite the blue.) Using the traditional Tunisian part two, yarn over and draw through red loop and one blue loop. Continue until one red loop remains on the hook.

Using the traditional Tunisian part one, insert hook behind front vertical post of the second stitch, yarn over, draw through. This is your second loop. Continue to end. Drop red. There will be 36 loops on the hook.

Turn hook. (Use a back and forth motion, so the thread does not become twisted.) Slide stitches to working end. Wrap red thread over hook to carry thread. Pick up blue. Using the traditional Tunisian part two, yarn over and draw through one red loop. Yarn over and draw through blue loop and one red loop. Continue until one blue loop remains on the hook.

Continue alternating white and red until bag reaches 7 inches. The last stripe should be white. End by working off blue, hold red and white with blue and tie off. Weave in the ends.

Flap: make 1

Repeat bag directions until the flap measures 4 inches. The last strip should be white. End by working off blue and knot the end. Weave in ends.

Fold bag in half and use blue thread and whip stitch to sew side seams together, keeping stripes even. Join flap matching stripes and pattern. Use blue thread and whip stitch to sew flap to top edge of bag. Weave in ends.

Strap:

Using all three threads, make a starting knot and join at the top corner of the bag. Chain until strap reaches desired length. Check that the strap can be easily doubled to form the handbag. Join with a slip knot to opposite top corner. Weave in all ends.

Tassel:

Using the three threads held together, wrap thread loosely around long side of credit card until desired thickness is reached. End on the same side you began. Run a length of the three threads under the top fold. Tie off. Slide thread off card. Tie off at top near fold. Cut loops at opposite end. Trim ends to make even.

Insert hook in center of the lower edge of flap. Draw through set of threads. Pull tassel up to edge of flap. Tie off. Tie ends in a bow.