Funky Bag !

This stylish purse is perfect for everyday use.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

22 inches wide at base x 9 inches high, excluding Handle

MATERIALS

• Omega Pinky fine (sport) weight nylon yarn (2 oz/98 yds per skein): 4 skeins #16 copper

• Size F/5/3.75mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

• Tapestry needle

• Liquid seam sealant

• Lining fabric (optional)

• Zipper to fit opening (optional)

GAUGE

7 sts = 1¹/₂ inches; 7 dc rows = 3 inches

PATTERN NOTES

Weave in loose ends as work progresses.

Dabbing liquid seam sealant on ends is necessary when using nylon yarn because it unravels easily. When coming to an end, work over the yarn like normal, but leave a little longer tail when fastening off. When you're ready, clip the tail close to the stitches and immediately dab liquid seam sealant on the end and the surrounding area on the inside of your work. It can darken the yarn, so dab lightly, but make sure it's saturated.

Bag is worked in back loops only unless otherwise stated.

Chain-2 at beginning of row does not count as first double crochet.

Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated.

BAG

BODY

Row 1: Leaving long length at beg for sewing side seam, ch 60, sk 2 chs (2 sk chs do not count as a st), dc in each rem ch across, turn. (58 dc)

Rows 2-51: Working in back lps (see Stitch Guide and Pattern Notes), ch 2 (see Pattern Notes), dc in each dc across, turn. (58 dc)

At the end of row 51, leaving long lengths for sewing side seam, fasten off.

Fold bag in half long ways, whipstitch (see illustration) tog both sides, working in every other st to shorten sides. With 5 sts rem, whipstitch all 5 ends tog as to gather to form bottom corner of bag. Fasten off.

TOP BAND

Rnd 1: Now working in mds, join (see Pattern Notes) to top on either side, ch 1, [(sc at end of next row) twice, sc dec (see Stitch Guide) over next 2 rows] around, do notjoin.

Rnd 2-7: Sc in each sc around.

Rnd 8: [Ch 1, sl st in next sc] around, sl st in beg ch 1. Fasten off.

HANDLE

Row 1: Leaving length at beg for sewing, ch 120, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (119 sc)

Rows 2-4: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Rnd 5: Now working in rnds, [sl st in next sc, ch 1] around sides of Handle, working 2 sl sts at each end, leaving a long length, fasten off.

 Fold over each end of Handle 1¹/₂ inches and sew 1 end to each side of Bag.

OPTIONAL FINISHING

Place Bag on 2 layers of fabric. Trace a line around the Bag, adding ¹/₂ inch for seam allowances.

Cut out lining, sew sides and bottom. Fold top edge to WS. Place inside Bag and tack top edge of lining to top edge of Bag.

Sew zipper to inner edge of rnd 7 of Top Band.