Rectangle Purse


Materials and Equipment

Crochet hooks, size J and L
Lion Brand suede yarn
1 ball garnet or the color of your choice (A)
1 ball eggplant or the color of your choice (B)

Gauge (with J hook) 7 sc = 2 inches
3 rows = 1 inch

Finished dimensions approx. 7” square


Directions
Note: To change colors, draw new color through last 2 loops of sc.

Purse (make 2)
With yarn A, Ch 11.
Row 1: (outside of purse) Sc in 2nc ch from hook and in next 8 ch, 5 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of beg ch, work 9 sc. Change to B. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 2: Working with B, 11 sc, ch 1, 3 sc in next sc, ch1, 11 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 3: 11 sc, 3 sc in ch 1 space, 3 sc, 3 sc in ch 1 space, 11 sc. Change to A. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 4: 12 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 12 sc. Change to B. Chi 1 to turn.
Row 5: 13 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 7 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 13 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 6: 14 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 9 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 14 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 7: 15 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 11 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 15 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 8: 16 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 13 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 16 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 9: 17 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 15 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 17 sc. Ch 1 to turn. Fasten off.

Edging
Hold both pieces with outsides facing out. Working through both sides at the same time, join A in upper left sc.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in same stitch and in next 17 sc (down the left side of the purse), 3 sc in next sc (corner), 17 sc, 3 sc in next sc (corner), 18 sc. Fasten off. This is the front of purse.

Purse opening
Join B in sc at end of Row 9 of front. Sc in end sc of every row and in beginning ch of one side and continue on other side of opening. Sl st to first sc to close. 38 sc. Fasten off.

Strap
With front of purse facing you and using hook size L and one strand of A and one strand of B, join yarn with sl st to third sc of bottom right corner of purse on edging row. Sl st in next 17 sc (going up the side of the purse), ch 70, sl st in remaining sc of edging on the left side of the purse beginning with first sc of edging row. Sl st to first sl st of strap. Weave in all loose ends.

Purse can be made larger by following established pattern. Purse can be stopped after Row 4 to make cell phone holder. Pockets can be added by working one side of purse until desired pocket size is achieved. Whip stitch pocket to inside or outside of purse after finishing.

Purse can be made all in one color with different colored trim (see purses post) and a flap closure.
Flap closure Row 1: Same as Row 1 of purse.
Row 2: Ch 1, 11 sc, ch 3 (buttonhole), skip next sc, 11 sc
Row 3: (front of flap) Ch 1, 11 sc, 7 sc in ch 3 space, 11 sc.
Sew flap to middle 7 sc of back of purse. Sew button on front to match buttonhole.