And It’s Only Tuesday!

Hi! I was just thinking about all the things I’ve accomplished this week, at least in terms of crocheting stuff, and all the things I still have left to do. Then, I added in the fact that it’s only Tuesday and I was just blown away. I was lucky enough to be visited by my models, a friend of mine’s kids, on Sunday and we got some really adorable pictures, which I spent the evening editing. Then I updated the photos on Stella Hat pattern (use the code “Facebook” to get 60% off this pattern), released the Jackie Pillbox Pattern (with adorable photos, this pattern is 50% off right now no code needed), and added some shots to the forthcoming Ariel Boot Cuffs pattern (being tested right now). Then, on Monday I sent out some crochet items for a secret thing I can’t tell you about yet, and finished 2 patterns, also can’t talk about, and then started working on my possible submission to Happily Hooked Magazine.
Today I finished my Willow Purse pattern, which you can find below all this rambling, and edited those photos, and next I’m going to be working on a secret project with Tanya from Hodgepodge Crochet, which I’m really glad to be a part of but also nervous, as it’s takin’ me out of my comfort zone. Wow, with all this “can’t talk about it/ tell you about it” you’d think I was a secret agent, not a crochet designer! Then, while walking through Michael’s Halloween section yesterday (it’s my favorite time of year!) I got great ideas for Halloween themed crochet stuff, I just need to find the time to work on it! I also got inspired for a scarf from watching Lorelei on Gilmore Girls. My list of things to crochet is a mile long, I exaggerate but I think it’s at least pretty close. To make matters worse they added Beverly Hills 90210, in it’s entirety, to Hulu and I’ve been watching it and it was ridiculous. What were the 90’s doing? (disclaimer: I was born in 1986) :p

Quick question, anything specific YOU would like to see from me in preparation for the holiday/ gifting season (let me know in the comments)?
Anyway, like a month or more ago I got the idea for the Willow Purse, it was around the time I released the Diana Purse, and I never found the time to write up the pattern, even if I did complete the project in one night. It’s a quick and really easy pattern, which I think you’ll like, that you can really customize to your liking. I’m going to be making it smaller so I can gift a child size to my little model, as she was bribed to sit for pictures and I must make good on the promise (even if she forgets, I (almost always) pay my debts). The sc/ spike sc combo of this bag makes it really thick and might not even need a lining, if you’re one of those people who can sew (I am not) and would think of adding one.

You can purchase an ad-free downloadable pdf in my Ravelry shop.

Materials:

• US I (5.50 mm) crochet hook
• 3 colors of worsted weight/ size #4 yarn (5 oz/ 241 yards)
  • I used Vanna’s Choice in dusty blue, silver grey and pink
• Tapestry needle

Gauge:

• I: 17 dcs x 8 row =  4″

Terms/ stitches used:

• st(s): stitch(es)
• ch(s): chain(s)
• sc(s): single crochet(s)
• spike sc(s): spike single crochet (s)

Notes:

• You will need to know how to work into the back loop only for a row of this pattern.
• The ch 1 at the beginning of the rows does not count as a stitch.
• Rotate on row 7 means rotate the whole piece 90°.
• This pattern is created in the round with a slip st at the end of each row into the first st.
• Colors are labeled color A (dusty blue), color B (pink), and color C (silver grey).

Finished product dimensions:

• Height: 7.5″ (from row 8 to 46)
• Width: 10.75″ (laid completely flat)
• Straps: 30″ish (from side 1 where it secures to the bag to side 2 where it secures to the bag)

Pattern Instructions:

Bag:

Base
Color A: Row 1: Ch 31, sc into the second ch from the hook and across – 30 scs
Rows 2 – 6: Turn, ch 1, sc into each st across – 30 scs
Row 7: Turn, ch 1, sc into the next 30 sts, ch 1 at the corner and rotate the piece, sc into the next 6 row ends, ch 1 at the corner and rotate the piece, sc into the next 30 sts, ch 1 at the corner and rotate the piece, sc into the next 6 row ends, ch 1 at the corner and rotate the piece, slip st into the first sc to secure –  72 scs, 4 ch-1 spaces
Row 8: Ch 1, sc into the back loop only of the same st as join and into the back loop only of the next 71 sts, slip st into the first st to secure – 72 scs

Sides
Row 9: Ch 1, sc into the same st as join and into the next 71 sts, slip st into the first st to secure – 72 scs
Color B: Row 10: Ch 1, sc into the same st as join and spike sc into the next st, *sc into the next st, spike sc into the next st,* repeat from * to * 34 more times, slip st into the first st to secure – 36 scs, 36 spike scs
Row 11: Ch 1, spike sc into the same st as join and sc into the next st, “spike sc into the next st, sc into the next st,* repeat from * to * 34 more times, slip st into the first st to secure – 36 spike scs, 36 scs
Color A: Rows 12 – 13: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color B: Rows 14 – 15: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color C: Rows 16 – 17: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color B: Rows 18 – 19: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color C: Rows 20 – 21: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color A: Rows 22 – 23: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color C: Rows 24 – 25: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color A: Rows 26 – 27: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color B: Rows 28 – 29: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color A: Rows 30 – 31: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color B: Rows 32 – 33: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color C: Rows 34 – 35: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color B: Rows 36 – 37: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color C: Rows 38 – 39: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color A: Rows 40 – 41: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color C: Rows 42 – 43: repeat rows 10 – 11
Color A: Row 44: repeat row 10
Rows 45 – 46: ch 1, sc into the same st as join and into the next 71 sts, slip st into the first st to secure – 72 scs
Fasten off all your colors, weave in your ends.

Straps:

Side 1:
Note: Line up your first st with the corner of your 6 sc side (refer to row 7 if you’re confused)

Color B: Row 1: Ch 1, sc into the first st, spike sc into the next st, sc into the next st, *spike sc into the next st,* repeat from * to * once more – 3 scs, 3 spike scs
Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc into the first st, spike sc into the next st, sc into the next st, *spike sc into the next st,* repeat from * to * once more – 3 scs, 3 spike scs
Color C: Rows 3 – 4: repeat row 2
Color B: Rows 5 – 6: repeat row 2
Color C: Rows 7 – 8: repeat row 2
Rows 9 – 122: Turn, ch 1, sc across – 6 scs
Fasten off, leave a very long tail, which you will use to secure the other side of the strap.

Side 2:
Switch to the other side (parallel to side 1). Line up your first st with the corner of your 6 sc side (refer to row 7 if you’re confused).

Color B: Row 1: Ch 1, sc into the first st, spike sc into the next st, sc into the next st, *spike sc into the next st,* repeat from * to * once more – 3 scs, 3 spike scs
Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc into the first st, spike sc into the next st, sc into the next st, *spike sc into the next st,* repeat from * to * once more – 3 scs, 3 spike scs
Color C: Rows 3 – 4: repeat row 2
Color B: Rows 5 – 6: repeat row 2
Color C: Rows 7 – 8: repeat row 2
Fasten off, leave a long tail.

Finishing:
Use the tail from this side and the tail from side 1’s row 122, to secure side 2’s row 8 to side 1’s row 122. Make sure it’s good and secure before weaving your ends complete.
Weave in all ends.

You can definitely adjust as you would like, making the bag bigger or smaller at your discretion, or making the straps bigger or smaller. I think when I make this for a little I’m gonna put a button closure, for fun. I’ll post pictures if I decide to do this.

This pattern was shared on Linky Ladies’s Community Link Party #12, OombawkaDesign’s Link and Share Wednesday #105, Creative Spark Link Party #67, and GS Heller’s Yarn Along.