I had made a purse several years ago, it was a flukey thing. I intended to start a crocheted beanie hat when it occurred to me that it was going to end up being huge because the yarn I'd chosen was bulky and I wasn't using a pattern just going along freestyle. I decided to keep going and make a purse! The off-white with rust is that purse. I found a nifty snap & leather closure for it that I LOVE! -wish I could remember where I got it from. sigh. Anyway, every time I carry this purse people give me good comments about it. Decided I should make a few more. I made one larger and one smaller. I used black store-bought handles for the smaller one, not too crazy about them. On the larger bag I made my own handles which is what I am going to tell you about:
Using Bulky yarn I chained double the length of the strap I wanted. I then hdc across the chain. Then fold the whole thing in half and join the two ends. Just stitch them together the best and flattest that you can, weave in ends.
Next make sure that when you have it folded in half that the stitched edges are in the middle, not at either end. (see my lame drawing).
Now you will begin to sc around the doubled length. Start about 1 1/2" from the end and end leaving about 1 1/2". Make sure you tie off and weave in your end when you are done sc-ing. Make a second one to match.
To make it super secure I then did a running stitch from end to end, maybe it was because it was black but you couldn't even see it. I hope I have explained this well enough to help someone else make this strap.
Love your purses!! Your handle reminds me of clothesline crochet. Crocheting over an ordinary cotton clothesline makes sturdy purse handles, trivets, floor mats, etc.
ReplyDeleteYes! exactly.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful purses came out of a beanie mistake!! I would love to see one of these felted. I am a machine knitter and I make purses and the handle is a great idea especially when the store bought handles don't match in color. It also keeps cost down. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCarol :)