Felted Cassina Bag

My youngest daughter, Cassina, likes long straps and smaller purses for travel. This crochet bag pattern came out beautifully.

Materials: 

• Patons Merino Wool 3.5 oz./100 g
• (A) 2 – Taupe (work 2 strands together)
• (B) 1 – Gold, 1 – Sesame (work with one of each held together)
• (C) 1 – Grey, 1 – Light Green (work with one of each held together)
• A small amount of Red
• Crochet Hook size L
• Yarn Needle

Note: Ch 2 at beginning of row counts as first hdc, Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as first dc, work 2 strands throughout as noted above.

Purse is approximately 14 inches long x 12 ½ inches wide and strap 52 inches, un-felted.

After felting purse is approximately 12 inches long x 10 inches wide and strap 43 inches and will stretch a few inches.

Purse Base:   With (A) Ch 34

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (32 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in next sc, hdc in each sc across, turn (32 hdc)
Row 4 : Ch 3, Dc in next hdc and in each hdc across, turn (32 dc)
Row 5 – 6: Ch 3, Dc in next dc and in each dc across, turn
Row 7: Ch 3, Dc in next dc, *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc, repeat * to end of row, turn (17 dc & 15 ch 1 spaces)
Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each dc and in each ch 1 space across, turn (32 sc)
Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn
Row 10 through 18: Repeat Rows 7 – 8 – 9 three times (32 sc)
Row 19: Repeat row 3 (32 hdc)
Row 20 - 22: Repeat rows 4, 5 and 6 (32 dc)
Row 23 – 28: Repeat rows 5 and 6 – 3 times (32 dc)
Row 29: Ch 2, Hdc in next dc, hdc in each dc across, turn (32 hdc)
Row 30: Ch 1, Sc in each hdc across, turn (32 sc)
Row 31: Repeat row 2   (32 sc)
Row 32: Repeat row 10 (17dc & 15 ch 1 spaces)
Row 33 through 41: Repeat rows 8 – 9 – 10, 3 times (17dc & 15 ch 1 spaces)
Row 42: Repeat row 8 (32 sc)
Row 43: Ch 3, Dc in next sc, dc in each sc across, turn (32 dc)
Row 44 – 45: Repeat rows 5 and 6 (32 dc)
Row 46: Ch 2, Hdc in next dc, hdc in each dc across, turn (32 hdc)
Row 47: Ch1, Sc in each hdc across, turn (32 sc)
Row 48: Repeat row 2 (32 sc)
Row 49: “sewing row” Ch 1, sc in each sc to last sc on row, 2 sc in last sc (do not turn, continue working around corner and down side of purse) Sc 75 stitches down side of purse evenly spaced, Sc 2 times in end corner, Sc 31 stitches across beginning chain, sc 2 times in end corner, Sc 75 stitches down other side of purse evenly spaced, Sc 2 times in end corner, fasten off. (216 sc  for sewing border around purse)

Pocket: Using 1 strand of Light Green Ch 28

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (27 sc)
Row 2: Ch 2, Hdc in next sc, hdc in each sc across, turn (27 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2, Hdc in next hdc, hdc in each hdc across, turn (27 hdc) fasten off color you are using and join next color as stated
Row 4 – 5: Repeat row 3 using Gray, fasten off color you are using and join next color as stated
Row 6 – 7: Repeat row 3 using Red, fasten off color you are using and join next color as stated
Row 8 – 9: Repeat row 3 using Gold, fasten off color you are using and join next color as stated
Row 10 – 11: Repeat row 3 using Sesame, fasten off color you are using and join next color as stated
Row 12 – 13 - 14: Repeat row 3 using Taupe, turn (27 Hdc)
Pocket border  Row 15: Ch 1, Sc in in each hdc across, 1 more sc in corner (do not turn, continue around square)

Sc 26 times down side of square, 1 more sc in corner, Sc in each ch of beginning chain of light green, 1 more sc in corner, Sc 26 times up other side of square, 1 more sc in corner, sl st in first sc, fasten off (110 sc around)

Attach pocket: Sew pocket flap to inside back of purse base, center flap between sides and 1 inch from top row and pin. Using taupe yarn and yarn needle sew flap sides and bottom for pocket. (Lay loosely and do not stretch)

Sew Purse seams:

Laying front side to front side, weave side and bottom seams of purse using taupe yarn and yarn needle.

Chain cords: Cut: 8 strands measuring 78 inches each of the following yarns: Taupe, Gold, Sesame, Red, Light Green and Gray
Chain Cord: Make 8 chains using the following color combo, leave a 10 inch tail on both ends
Using 1 strand each of Taupe and Red, Ch (37)
Using 1 strand each of Light Green and Gray, Ch (37)
Using 1 strand each of Gold and Sesame, Ch (37)
Braid 3 chains, one of each combo knot each end leaving a long tassel (8 braided chain cords)

Weave one braid in and out the Dc’s on rows 7 – 10 – 13 – 16 – 32 – 35 – 38 - & 41, tie the front and back tassels together in a snug slip knot on sides of the purse and trim to 3 inches.

Flap: Using 2 strands together “See pic pocket after felting”

Row 1: Join (A) on the first row of the second sc on top side corner of purse,  front side of where the pocket was sewn on, Sc in same sc, Sc in 29 sc across, turn (30 sc)
Row 2: Ch 2, Hdc in next sc, hdc in each sc across, turn (30 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2, Hdc in next hdc, hdc in each hdc across, turn (30 hdc)
Row 4: Repeat row 3 (30 hdc)
Row 5: Ch 2, Hdc in next hdc, Hdc next 2 hdc together (1 decrease), Hdc in next 24 hdc, Hdc next 2 hdc together (1 decrease), hdc in last hdc, turn (28 hdc)
Row 6: Ch 2, Hdc in next hdc, Hdc in next 2 hdc together (1 decrease), Hdc in next 23 hdc, Hdc in next 2 hdc together (1 decrease), hdc in last 2 hdc, turn (26 hdc)
Row 7: Repeat row 3 (26 hdc)
Row 8: Ch 1, Sc in next hdc, Hdc in next 10 hdc, Ch 2, skip 2 hdc, Hdc in next 10 hdc, Sc in next hdc, slst in last hdc, turn (22 hdc + 2 sc) (Buttonhole row)
Row 9: Ch 1, slst in next sc, Sc in first hdc,, Sc in next 9 Hdc, Sc in next 2 chains, Sc in next 9 Hdc, Sc in next Hdc, slst in sc, turn (20 hdc + 2 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, slst in next sc, Sc in 20 sc , slst in last sc, turn (20 sc)
Row 11: Ch 1, slst in next sc, slst in 18 sc, slst in last slst, fasten off. Weave in ends. (18 sc)
 

Braided Strap:

 “See pic, strap and chain cords before felting”

Make 1 strap

Use 4 strands from the balls of the following color combo’s together for 1 chain.

1. With 2 strands of Taupe, 1 strand of Sesame and 1 strand of Red held together ch (143) measuring 55 to 57 inches un-felted, leave a 12 inch tail at beginning and end of chain
2. With 2 strands of Gold, 1 strand of Sesame and 1 strand of Gray held together ch (143) measuring 55 to 57 inches un-felted, leave a 12 inch tail at beginning and end of chain
3. With 1 strand of Gray, 1strand of Red, 1 strand of Light Green and 1 strand of Gold held together ch (143) measuring 55 to 57 inches, leave 12 inch tail at beginning and end of chain

Finish Strap: Braid these 3 chains together medium tight until strap is approximately 52 to 54 inches long, knot the 12 strand tassel together tightly as close to braid as possible on each end. Divide tassel strands into half and thread one half into inside first open Dc on front side of purse and thread second half of tassel into inside last open Dc on back side of purse, pull snug and wrap up and over the edges of purse and around braid on the outside, join strands together and slip knot whole tassel as close as possible to braid. Repeat for other side of purse to form a strap. Trim tassel to about 8 or 9 inches.

Finish and Felt:

Put the whole purse into a pillowcase/mesh bag, tie the top, put this, 3 tennis balls or clothing in the washer with detergent (do not use softener and do not spin, it will stop the felting process). Do a med. small load, use 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 or 3 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. Cut a heavy piece of cardboard to fit inside of purse, place cardboard inside and let sit overnight, reshape if necessary. Stretch sides of purse and strap in place to shape.

After felting, trim small tassels to 2 inches and strap tassels to 3 or 4 inches. Shave purse carefully to remove fuzz and sew on a marble size button or bead for flap closure.