Monday 23 November 2015

MY CHEVRON CLUTCH PURSE

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the beautiful beaded Chevron clutch purse
MY CHEVRON CLUTCH PURSE

One of the first Chevron creations I made was Tamara Kelly’s Chevron Lace Wrap.  Till I actually got to making this one, I always shied from Chevrons as they seem so .. well, difficult.  They are not.. however, they are definitely not the ‘do-in-front-of-TV-and-not-pay-attention’ kind of projects either.  Chevrons need counting.. well, at least I think so.  Getting that “V” shape just right needs a little focus, but once done.. aah, it’s so totally worth it.

Now there are many Chevron clutch purses I’ve seen on Pinterest, but many of them use the sc.  Being lazy, I always try to find ‘cheat ways’ to get my project done ‘faster’ but I am fussy enough to want it to look nice and stylish too. So this is what I’ve come up with.

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Difficulty level : Intermediate crochet skills

Materials used : Today I’ve used our Indian polyester metallic yarn,  with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ; beads ; pearls

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.

Size : 11 " x 6"
You can make this to any size you like, using any yarn with a suitable hook


Abbreviations usedUsing U.S terminology
hdc : Half double crochet
sk : skip                        yo : Yarn over
sl-st : Slip stitch            st(s) : stitch(es)
hk : hook                      rep : Repeat
ch : chain                     ch-sp : chain space
sp : space                          
fsc : Foundation single crochet   


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 

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

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8 

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

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 

How to add beads : Check this video at https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : Check out this video at https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

How to change colors seamlessly : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to change from the Main color to the Contrast or second color of yarn seamlessly.  View it at https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno 

How to carry your yarn when using two colors : Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to carry your yarn along when working with two colours.  


Instructions :  Using U.S terminology
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. 

Quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today.  
We start with fsc, my preferred stitch, and start with the base of our wallet.  We will make a long rectangular piece, which we will fold up to make this lovely wallet / clutch purse. 

If you decide to use the beads in this project, please load your beads onto your yarn now, as we will start with our flap and then work down to the inside of our wallet.

Per row for this stitch count, we’ll need 18 beads.  
So we use a total of 6 beads per “V” of the Chevron stitch.

So how do you calculate how wide you want your purse? (i.e from side to side)

So each “V’ of the chevron is made up of (10 + 10 + 2) + 2 , the 10 sts being one half of the “V” and the 2 being sk sts in between the “V”. 
Our project has three “V’s” which makes it (60 + 8) = 68. 

Now my suggestion is that you work the first row (or 2, depending on how mad you get frogging stuff back) and then decide on how wide you want your start row.  You cannot decide on the length of the 68 fsc as that will shrink when it becomes a “V”.

Finally, to give it a lovely texture to our purse , we will be working only in back loops throughout the project. 

So that’s what hdc-blo means. (Half double crochet in back loop only)
Half double crochet back loop only (hdc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/mMZhS37JP2k

Right, we have got all our ideas down and you have your calculations ready .. Let’s get started.

Start with 68 fsc.

Row 1 : 2 hdc-blo in the 1st fsc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 9 fsc ; sk next 2 fsc ;
*hdc-blo in the next 10 fsc ; 3 hdc-blo in the next fsc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 10 fsc ; sk next 2 fsc* ;
rep *to* till the last 10 fsc ; 
hdc-blo in the last 9 fsc ; 
2 hdc-blo in the last fsc.  Turn

Row 2 : 2 hdc-blo in the 1st hdc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 9 hdc ; sk next 2 hdc ;
* hdc-blo in the next 10 hdc ; 
3 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; hdc-blo in the next 10 hdc ; sk next 2 hdc  * ;
rep *to* till the last 10 hdc ; 
hdc-blo in the last 9 hdc ; 
2 hdc-blo in the last hdc.  Turn

Row 3 : Rep Row 2

Row 4 : Bead  row :  2 hdc-blo in the 1st hdc ; 
(hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
INSERT BEAD , sk next hdc ; hdc-blo in the next hdc) ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
sk next 2 hdc ;
*[rep (to) 3 times ; hdc-blo in the next hdc] ; 
3 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
rep [to] once ; 
sk next 2 hdc* ;
rep *to* till the last 10 hdc ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
2 hdc-blo in the last hdc.  Turn.

Row 5 - 7 : Rep Row 2.

Row 8 : Rep Row 4.

Note : In Row 5, finding that back loop may be a bit troublesome, but don’t worry too much about it, as the lovely bead will make up for it.  In the following rows you will find the back loop easily.

Rep Rows 5 - 8 till your project is the length  you are happy with. 
So let’s get this rectangular bit done and we will then fold our rectangular project to make a neat clutch .. that looks like a cute crown!

Fasten off and weave in ends.



Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the beautiful beaded Chevron clutch purse side view

Finishing :
Line your bag, attach the zipper .. and we’re done with this lovely beaded Chevron stitch clutch purse.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the beautiful beaded Chevron clutch purse looking inside the purse

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)   When lining the bag use a different coloured lining (i.e not the same colour as the yarn you have used) so that the pattern shows through

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


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And here are links to some of my beautiful and unusual bag / purse patterns.





















































































... and some more bag patterns