Saturday 7 February 2015

HALF HERRINGBONE CLUTCH BAG

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the lovely Half Herringbone clutch bag ; this blog has a video tutorial for stitches needed for this project ;
HALF HERRINGBONE CLUTCH BAG

Yes, I do seem to be caught in the clutches of these bags!  ;)

Well, I seem to find so many stitches that are just so right for them that I just can’t resist either.  So here we go with yet another absolutely superb stitch called the Herringbone half double crochet stitch for our newest clutch.

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Come along then, let's work on this lovely creation together.  

If the video does not automatically open, please go to https://youtu.be/pFifXoGVU3c

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo showing stitch detail for the Half herringbone clutch bag ;
Stitch detail

Materials used : polyester silk purse yarn in cones  ~ one cone , with a 4 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends zipper
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros or unbranded knitting cotton as well

General yarn info : This polyester yarn is available only in India.
The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA  

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0


Abbreviations used :  (Using U.S terminology)
lp(s) : Loop(s)                    sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet           sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch                 ch : Chain                       
st(s) : Stitch(es)                 hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over                                                             
Hhdc : Herringbone half double crochet
fsc : Foundation Single Crochet


Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
So I’ve been inspired by this stitch from the net and then worked my clutch up.  As usual, this blog comes to you with lots of ideas - so while we will make this one half  herringbone clutch bag together, you have ideas to make another clutch bag as well as a market bag and an office bag.
So we start our clutch purse at the top and are working along the length of our clutch – i.e the number of stitches you start with will determine the length you want.  
We will then work across side to side till we achieve the width (or height) of clutch purse we desire.

Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and bag measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

The beauty of the Hhdc stitch is you can use as many sts as you want for your length, without a specific stitch count.  
The slightly tricky bit is in getting that half stitch off first, before you execute the regular half double crochet.  

Start with as many fsc depending on the length of clutch purse you want.
As always, I suggest that you try to start with the foundation single crochet stitch.  

In case you just can't get it, then start with as many chain as you need for the length of your purse, and work a row of sc, starting with a sc in the 2nd ch from hook.
You then go to pattern Row 1.

I usually work a turning chain (ch 1) at the start of every row to allow me easy access into that first stitch. It is not mandatory - anything that makes it easy for you to get to that stitch.. 

Row 1 : Hhdc in 1st fsc and each fsc till end. Turn.

Row 2 : Sc in 1st Hhdc and sc in each Hhdc till end. Turn.

Row 3 : Hhdc  in 1st sc and each sc till end. Turn.

Rep Rows 2 and 3 till you have a clutch purse of the width you need.

Note : If you work a row of Hhdc in Row 2 as well, (i.e every row has only Hhdc), you will get a  new pattern  for a clutch.. so go ahead and experiment 

Fasten off then and weave in the ends.  

So here are some more ideas ..  
If you decide you want to have a nice sturdy market bag, just start with as many stitches as you want for the width of your bag, and then just work all the way up to get the length.  

For the side width, you can either line it and then add in the material for the sides (just as I have done for this project as you can see in the photo below - the accordion-type opening) or you can make a long strip (of say 4 - 5 sc / hdc wide) that will go along the side of your bag.  

If you opt for this, you will get an automatic 'base' as well, which will make this a suitable carry-bag for several situations (including carrying papers to the office!)

You just need to remember that when you are working the length, you need to keep the same 'width' for the base - so say you want the finished height/length to be 8", you will work (8" + 8" + 3" for bottom width = 19" in total).  Got it?  

Just for a nice difference, when lining my bag, I've added a few extra sections for holding credit cards - and am really happy with the end result!

a)   How to line the bag : View the link below to see how to easily line your handbag. http://pattern-paradise.com/2014/06/12/tutorial-how-to-line-a-crocheted-bag/

b)   Easiest I-cord : Check out this video for a really easy I-cord at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_AQ9m0QeZI



Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo showing the inside of the clutch purse ;

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