BASKETWEAVE PURSE PATTERN

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BASKETWEAVE PURSE
Advanced Beginner

Size J Hook

Approx 2-7 oz skeins of a sport weight yarn yarn, just be sure to use TWO STRANDS throughout, it makes the bag stronger. (Bag pictured used two thin chenille yarns held together , I used two small cake skeins from a yarn winder)

Safety pins
Yarn darning needle
Large metal fastener (Try hardware stores)
Metal ring. (Try hardware stores)


USING TWO STRANDS OF YARN THROUGHOUT

BODY OF BAG
Chain 51 (multiple of 8 plus 3).

FOUNDATION ROW 1: 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch to end. Ch 2, turn

ROW 1: *yo, insert hook from front to back to front around next dc and draw up a loop, yo and through 2 loops twice (front post double crochet=fpdc); work fpdc around next 3 dc; yo, insert hook from back to front to back (back post double crochet-=bpdc) around each of next 4 dc; repeat from * ending 1 hdc in top of turning ch. Ch 2, turn.

ROW 2 and 3: Repeat Row 1

ROW 4: *1 bpdc around each of next 4 dc; 1 fpdc around each of next 4 dc; repeat from *, ending1 hdc in top of turning ch. Ch 2, turn.

ROW 5 and 6: Repeat Row 4.

You will repeat from Row 1 for pattern throughout. So at this point we have 2 pattern rows where the fpdc and bpdc create opposing basket weave pattern. Continue until you have approximately 19 pattern rows (8 pattern rows will be the front and back of the bag, while 3 will form the bottom of the bag).



GUSSET/STRAP
The gusset & strap is worked as one piece.

Ch 12. Repeat pattern for approximately 30 pattern rows.

FASTENER STRAP

Ch 7.

ROW 1: dc in4th ch from hook to end. Ch 3 and turn.
ROW 2-9: dc in next stitch to end.
Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY:

Using safety pins. Pin gusset (matching up pat rows) to body of bag with right side facing you.

You will stitch the gussets to the body of the bag beginning from the top of the body of the bag around to the other side using a sc on the right side facing you. This creates a pronounced seam.

Fold the sides of the strap up and together (as if forming a triangle with the opening at the top). From one end to the other, create a seam using a sc (be sure to stitch across first pattern rows of each side of bag to bring in the upper sides of the bag together. The front side of bag and back side of bag stitched together at the very tip top of the bag on both sides.).



Attach fastener strap to back of bag using a whip stitch and yarn darning needle.

Loop strap through opening of fastener and attach using a whip stitch and yarn darning needle.

Attach ring to purse (try to center it in a pattern and whip stitch in upper right, lower right, upper left and lower left of ring to leave the top of the ring free for the fastener.

Copyright © 2007 D.Okoro, all rights reserved. Pattern is for personal use only, you may sell finished items made from this pattern, however, please reference the pattern source in your online listings. Thanks! For e-mail assistance and/or corrections, please contact by email at MsSunflwr@yahoo.com.


Please let me know what type of yarn you use and how much as I am guessing as to how much yarn I used. It's been a while since I made this purse so, your comments are much needed.

This pattern brought to you courtesy of Knots and Loops and Oruaka.

An actual update!

Yes, I decided what better time to update the blog. It's been forever since I've blogged, I know...but there were good reasons and I'll spare you the rant. First things first, I did finish the "mystery project". I still haven't named it because I'm not really sure what I think of it. It's made with 2 thin strands of chenille crocheted together in a basketweave stitch. It was inspired by a Dooney & Burke bag I saw in W magazine.

First Crochet Projects Completed

I know it's been a while since I blogged, I've been extremely busy at work preparing for hearings back to back. Ordra and her mother did make it back by my house for a follow up crochet lesson weekend before last. It was a very relaxed afternoon. I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw the work they had both put into their projects. They had learned so much about going to the end of the rows and tension, their stitches had gotten so uniform, I knew they had both gotten into a flow. Ms. Smith, through trial and error, had learned how to decrease and made a really innovative stair step design to the front flap of her purse. I taught them how to sew up the seams and we made a very long chain stitch using 3 strands of yarn and weaved them through the purses. They (including my fiance) were very excited to put the purses in the washer. They were amazed at how quickly the size and texture completely changed. Ordra's bag was really cool and had a sort of 70's vibe in my opinion. I loved her choice of colors. She laughed at her photo and jokingly said not to use her photo, but just to be careful, I'll just show you her bag. (I know how I'd feel, I rarely ecen post photos of myself here). The mystery project is still sitting in a chair. I'll finish it up I promise, but the pay-per-view fight is tomorrow and I'll have a housefull. But soon.

FROGGING

Okay, I've been all over the place with crafting. I did manage to get the mystery item completed, only now I'll have to frog part of it and try something else, I'm just not happy with it, but it shouldn't take long. I hate frogging though. I've made about 4 more hypertufa containers that came out really nicely (I'll have to post a picture from home later). My neice had a birthday party and I was the designated craft person, although the weather did not permit us to do that, we were really trying to get the party over with (dealing with approaching storm and lots of wind). I was prepared though, we were going to make polymer clay pens and/or keychains. I practiced the night before and ended up making 3 of each, they're kinda cool. I've got a pair of trousers that I started sewing, only I'm completely confused when it comes to the interfacing of the waistband. And of course I've been trying to do some gardening, preparing my beds and getting the yard in shape. I don't want to be the one to bring down the neighborhood.

Patterns now available

I'm excited about finally having my patterns available for sale right here on my blog. I've been wanting to do this for a long time now and quite frankly was intimidated by the HTML Java mumbo jumbo that is required. But with the new blogger, it made it much easier. They've finally made it to my sidebar. Hopefully soon there will be a few more NEW patterns. Any suggestions?

Hypertufa

I wanted to share a photo of my first hypertufa project. I know I'll make more now that I've done this one...I love the way this turned out. It's a pretty big container, I used a small recycle bin as the "mold". It will take about 3 weeks before I can use it, it's going to cure outside for about 3 weeks. I started an indoor greenhouse and the sprouts are coming in strong and about ready to be planted. We had some really cool weather today, near freezing, which isn't at all how it's been for the past few weeks. It's supposed to stay that way at least through the weekend, so I've brought them all in.

So...what's going on in the crochet design world? I'm really close to finishing a project...just indecisive about one small detail. I've about made up my mind on what I'm about to do on it so hopefully I'll finish it up so I can post a pic of the finished product. So far, I'm really happy with the way it's turning out.

Successful Teaching

Here are some photos from last weekend. I taught Ordra and her mother how to crochet, they are creating their first chain stitches. I had expected one more, but she couldn't make it. I explained how learning to hold the hook and yarn was the hardest part of learning to crochet. Both of them seemed to pick it up pretty quickly. We worked on an easy wool purse done entirely in half double crochets. I thought the repetition of the stitch would be a good way to get comfortable with crocheting and they both wanted to make a purse. So hopefully they'll be so pleased with their finished product that they'll keep on crocheting and learning more about the craft. Ordra even got comfortable enough that she was able to use her cell phone while crocheting. Pandora (who has been crocheting for years...she is working on a hat in the photo) and I got a laugh out of that.

After meeting a few weeks to celebrate Pandora's new job, a few of my friends and I decided that we should really get together more often. Here's some of them posing for a pic. Everyone is not in this shot, but this is one of the few that isn't blurred, I guess wine and photography don't really mix with a fairly new digital camera. But aren't they cute?!

Ladie's Night In!

After meeting for Sushi to celebrate Pandora's new job, some of us decided that we should get together more often. Here we are Friday night at my place. Everyone is not in this photo, but aren't they cute?

Gettin' my crochet hustle on

Has it been nearly a month since my last entry??? Wow, I have been totally immersed in yarn though, getting through my second Stained Glass Window Afghan (which has already sold). Only one (or two...not sure) more panels to go now. I've got an order for two more, so that will really help with the stash busting efforts and a little extra cash towards wedding expenses. I must admit, the afghans are really amazing with novelty yarns, I want to make myself another and maybe donate my existing one. I will probably be getting a king sized bed eventually (went shopping for some this weekend in Atlanta), so I am lacking bedding. I'm completely covered with orders right now and I'd like to see a new project in the works soon. I've still got this picture of a dress in my head and I'd like to get it completed by spring...stemming from the incomplete skirt pattern I started last summer and never finished.

Being sick gave me plenty of down time to get some crocheting done. I'm feeling much better now, and it looks like its back to work tomorrow. I did manage to get my sixth panel done today though. This is one of those great patterns where you can pretty much feel your way through the easy stitching...making it easier to watch t.v. at the same time. Just a simple "v" stitch which is one of my favorites. I must admit, although this is my third time doing this pattern, I've always hated the border. Why didn't I do something slightly a little different before joining already? Slightly more, substantial? Well, I've still got plenty of yarn left and it's a quick pattern... maybe I'll make another. I'm not planning on keeping it anyways, but I do like how the different textures look together.

Fourth Panel Done

I had some time (while nursing a cold) to get some crocheting done today. I got the fourth panel done today. I haven't started on the 5th yet, instead I opted for a cat nap with Baloo on the couch. I may take a little break from the project for tonight...but knowing me, I probably will pick up the hook at some point this evening.

Stained Glass Window Afghan

Here it is, the work in progress. This will be the third time I've done this pattern. I'm straying from the pattern a bit and making wider and longer panels. I'm also using chocolate brown for the trim rather than black and using different types of yarns with different textures.

Just wanted to do another quick post. My digital camera is officially DEAD...I have no idea what happened to it, but I've accepted it and I'm going to move on...to Wal-Mart and charge a new one. I'm eager to post updates here on my STAINED GLASS WINDOW AFGHAN that I'm making in an effort to use up some of my stash and scrap yarn. So, hopefully tonight there will be an update with photos. I'll check in later!

Happy New Year! Just a quick post while I'm at work. The holidays were very nice for me. Here's a photo of Journey and Joshua sporting the hat and scarf sets I made for them...I ended up making 7 sets for neices/nephews total in some really super soft yarn that I got from Hobby Lobby. I also made about 18 scarves for sale (I wished I'd made more) and sold all (11 @ $20 and the rest at $15). I'm still actually crocheting (even after Christmas)...and decided to try a scrap afghan and see how it does on Ebay....maybe a stained glass window blanket or something...not decided. Oh...and I also got the MICROSOFT ZUNE...for any of you who were curious about it, I think it's AWESOME! Especially for music lovers wo can spend some serious money on cds....save your money and get the ZUNE PASS...it's perfect and "all you can eat" music for one monthly fee. And....(drum roll please)...I also got ENGAGED....that's right, William actually proposed on Christmas morning. Don't even ask me about "the date" it's still undecided and we're leaning towards just eloping.