Over The Apple Tree: Crochet purse

Thursday, April 14, 2016

New Crochet Projects

When crocheting, the change of weather means a change in direction of the projects I choose. For me, my Etsy shop is all about getting a chance to try new things. Crochet is my hobby. I pick out fun stuff to make and put it up in my Etsy shop so I can buy more yarn to make more stuff! I've had some ideas pinned for a while that I've been meaning to try...

The first bag I made was this fun cupcake! None of my purses were made with a pattern but I did use this idea from Dearest Debi of adding plastic to the bottoms.

New crochet projects, Crochet purses and dolls by Over The Apple Tree

While trying to figure out how to do the cupcake, I came across some watermelon purses! How perfect for summer right? When I looked up how to add beads, I didn't like the method of pre-stringing them first so I came up with my own way. I posted a video on Instagram and I was surprised that people went a little crazy over it!

The last purse is a light blue and white with a pretty flower. I think the light colors will work perfect with any outfit this spring and summer.

If you ever look up crochet projects on Pinterest, you've had to have come across Lalylala dolls. There is a huge variety of beautiful doll styles, patterns available from Lydia Tresselt. As gorgeous as the originals are, I wanted to try one first in a smaller size. Lydia shares free minis and mods patterns on her website as well. The pattern I used is from a Dutch blog 2 Steekjes Samen Gehaakt. The pattern is in Dutch but you can translate it to English on your computer.

This first doll sold only two days after I posted it in my shop. New record!

While I was working on the first doll I got an idea for a second. There's a new superhero in town and she couldn't be any cuter! This superhero doll is available in my shop now! I worked with the same pattern as the first doll and then added my own design for the mask and cape.

Thanks for taking a look at my projects. I will be sharing with these great blogs!

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Thursday, April 9, 2015

Girl's Crochet Fat Bottom Bag

I've seen a lot of talk lately about crochet charts and I thought now would be a good time to share a project I made using a crochet chart pattern!

I came across this pattern a while ago when I first got back into crochet. I was so excited, it was so cute and looked to be fairly easy from the picture. Then I clicked on the pattern...a chart!? I had never seen a chart pattern and had no clue how to read it. I set it aside and never attempted it. Since then, I have followed a couple charts to make crochet doilies that I used on my crochet rocks and found it easier than I thought. After you figure out what all those crazy symbols mean, it's really quite easy and the chart helps you to visualize your project better. I finally made this purse this year as a Christmas gift.

The pattern for this purse comes from Pierrot Yarns(Gosyo CO., Ltd.) and is called 210-32 Flower Bag. I did not design this pattern. The chart pattern is very detailed and can be figured out by a beginner chart pattern reader. This post is meant to accompany the original pattern for anyone who still may be nervous to try it. If you are interested in making this purse, please print the original pattern and instructions and follow along!

I used 3 skeins Sugar and Cream cotton yarn in Lilac and a 4.25 mm hook for the whole project. I didn't change hook size for the handle as the pattern calls for. This pattern uses ch, sc, dc, sl st, and whip stitches. My finished bag measures 6.5x11 inches from opening to bottom and side to side.

Body of bag
To start, ch 62. In the chart it says ch 61 but that isn't including your turning chain.
Row 1: sc in second chain from hook, ch2, dc in same as first sc. *Skip 2, (sc,ch2,dc)...repeat to end of row, sc in last stitch, ch1, turn.

Rows 2-38: rows start with (sc, ch2, dc) in first stitch and in each sc from previous row. End each row with a sc in last. Ch1 and turn.

Mouth of bag
At the end of row 38 ch1 and turn. Work 20 sc across top of body section inserting hook under each ch2/dc space. When I reached the end of row I found I didn't like the little section popping out so I end with a sc dec combining the last ch2/dc and the first sc from the previous row. If you want to do this you will have 19 sc, 1 sc dec. Ch1, turn.

Work 20 sc across for each row, 8 rows total. Tie off. Now tie on to opposite side of body and do the other side of the mouth of bag and tie off.

Sides and handles
Make 2 ch 50 sections and set aside.
Row 1: Tie yarn on to corner and work 20 sc up side of body. Now work 50 sc into one of the ch 50's you made. Continue on to opposite side of bag with 20 sc down other side. Work 50 sc in to second ch 50 section. Sl st into first sc to complete round.

Row 2-9: Ch1, sc in same and in each stitch around. Join each row with a sl st into first sc.

*note: I don't actually think it's necessary to make the separate ch 50 sections. If I make this bag again, I would work 20 sc, ch 50, 20 sc, ch 50, join row. Then in second row I would work into the chain 50's, probably adding an extra row so there would be 10 rows instead of 9.

Finishing
All your crocheting is done! Now for each side of the mouth of bag fold in half towards inside of bag and whip stitch in place. Fold handles and sides in half and do the same, remembering to stitch together the short side of mouth to handles as well. Weave in all your ends. Attach button and loop for closure and sew on any embellishments you choose such as flowers. I free-styled this flower I used for my bag, no pattern, sorry!