{made} — bouquet clutch. I’ve always wanted to make one of these metal clasp clutches and never knew how. Well, I found this awesome tutorial online from u-handbag, and I decided to give it a try. I am in love!  Picked out some fun fabric from the Urban Craft Center, the last time we were walking around Santa Monica, I could buy everything in their store!  Used a metal frame I had laying around that I bought ages ago. Picked up some glue, which I don’t think is the right stuff, but even though it is super messy seems to do the trick. I gathered everything together, dusted off my sewing machine and started! This is the outcome….  A totally awesome little clutch I can use on our trip to Vegas this weekend for the World Tea Expo!

{made} — bouquet clutch.

I’ve always wanted to make one of these metal clasp clutches and never knew how. Well, I found this awesome tutorial online from u-handbag, and I decided to give it a try. I am in love! 

Picked out some fun fabric from the Urban Craft Center, the last time we were walking around Santa Monica, I could buy everything in their store!  Used a metal frame I had laying around that I bought ages ago. Picked up some glue, which I don’t think is the right stuff, but even though it is super messy seems to do the trick. I gathered everything together, dusted off my sewing machine and started! This is the outcome…. 

A totally awesome little clutch I can use on our trip to Vegas this weekend for the World Tea Expo!

06/24/2011 sewing fiber art clutch purse metal frame
{made} — plum clutch I participated in another crochet swap at wildfiber in Santa Monica. This time around we all made clutches, and boy did they ever turn out fabulous! There was a great mix of colors, patterns, and special touches.  When I started searching for what pattern I was going to use, I fell in love with this purse as soon as I saw it, it was such an unique shape. Finding the pattern though was tricky. I was about two weeks late discovering the pattern before the stores started sending back the outdated UK based magazine, Inside Crochet. After much searching and calling around, I ended up finding a digital copy online that you can purchase here: yudu. The pattern called for a Gimp yarn, but I used cotton instead. Everyone participating in the swap had four yarns to choose from to help keep the bags similar in value. The cotton did make it pretty flimsy, so I double lined it with fabric; a solid purple on the outside to blend in with the bag and a more decorative pattern on the inside. I added some quilt batting in between the layers to help give it some stability and protect any fragile objects that maybe tucked inside.  I intended to use a standard snap closure, but at the last minute found this stylish magnetic clasp that really fit well I thought, the only problem was it had a larger area to cover up on the front of the flap. I had purchased an adorable button to use for the decorative feature, but it wasn’t large enough to cover the clasp. Luckily I found a larger flower pin that perfectly matched the color of the clutch, after a slight modification it covered it up perfectly. I fully intend on making another one for myself later down the road, it was an interesting pattern to figure out… I actually learned a lot technique-wise while making it.  Happy crocheting!

{made} — plum clutch

I participated in another crochet swap at wildfiber in Santa Monica. This time around we all made clutches, and boy did they ever turn out fabulous! There was a great mix of colors, patterns, and special touches. 

When I started searching for what pattern I was going to use, I fell in love with this purse as soon as I saw it, it was such an unique shape. Finding the pattern though was tricky. I was about two weeks late discovering the pattern before the stores started sending back the outdated UK based magazine, Inside Crochet. After much searching and calling around, I ended up finding a digital copy online that you can purchase here: yudu.

The pattern called for a Gimp yarn, but I used cotton instead. Everyone participating in the swap had four yarns to choose from to help keep the bags similar in value. The cotton did make it pretty flimsy, so I double lined it with fabric; a solid purple on the outside to blend in with the bag and a more decorative pattern on the inside. I added some quilt batting in between the layers to help give it some stability and protect any fragile objects that maybe tucked inside. 

I intended to use a standard snap closure, but at the last minute found this stylish magnetic clasp that really fit well I thought, the only problem was it had a larger area to cover up on the front of the flap. I had purchased an adorable button to use for the decorative feature, but it wasn’t large enough to cover the clasp. Luckily I found a larger flower pin that perfectly matched the color of the clutch, after a slight modification it covered it up perfectly.

I fully intend on making another one for myself later down the road, it was an interesting pattern to figure out… I actually learned a lot technique-wise while making it. 

Happy crocheting!

06/09/2011 purse, crochet fiber art clutch wildfiber
{made} — cranberry clutch Super fast pattern and memorizable which is nice. Crocheted this up in a few hours and lined it with a heavy fabric, but it was too flimsy - the yarn was just too fine for this to have much shape. Tried a few options and ended up putting two pieces of flat quilt padding in the front and back of the bottom of the clutch between the yarn and the fabric. Worked like a charm, it has good form and will even protect the contents if dropped. I used a snap clasp to secure the flap. I knitted up a cute little coin purse to put inside too. Pattern available for free online.

{made} — cranberry clutch

Super fast pattern and memorizable which is nice. Crocheted this up in a few hours and lined it with a heavy fabric, but it was too flimsy - the yarn was just too fine for this to have much shape. Tried a few options and ended up putting two pieces of flat quilt padding in the front and back of the bottom of the clutch between the yarn and the fabric. Worked like a charm, it has good form and will even protect the contents if dropped. I used a snap clasp to secure the flap.

I knitted up a cute little coin purse to put inside too.

Pattern available for free online.

12/23/2010 crochet bag purse clutch lined
{made} — purple bobble bag Added another bobble bag to my repertoire! It’s getting much easier and faster to make these. This one I kept on a slightly lighter side by using a playful purple palette. The fabric lining has cute purple and pink birds, which I also used it to sew a simple coin purse to put inside. The pattern is from the book: One Skein by Leigh Radford.  

{made} — purple bobble bag

Added another bobble bag to my repertoire!

It’s getting much easier and faster to make these. This one I kept on a slightly lighter side by using a playful purple palette. The fabric lining has cute purple and pink birds, which I also used it to sew a simple coin purse to put inside.

The pattern is from the book: One Skein by Leigh Radford.  

12/20/2010 crochet fiber art zipper lining clutch purse bag purple
{made} — rustic cable bobble bag Knitted up this cute little bag the other day. Here are my notes on the pattern and process of making it…   Used two skeins of yarn doubled up, the pattern says to use two skeins but never specified it was doubled up, so started it with just one strand and it was really loose; had to restart with two and it’s much better. Guess I spaced out on that detail. The bobbles are a little more difficult with the yarn doubled up, had to really concentrate on them and just take my time. Also, after the bubble is complete you have to push it through to the right side of the bag. Another little thing that I found is the last stitch after you bind off for the handle is a knit stitch not a purl indicated on the chart… it ends up working out right the rest of the way, but the stitch that is left on the needle from binding off screws that up I think. Just continue working in the seed stitch and it’ll be fine. I was concerned that the seed stitch on one of the side seam would look wrong since the last stitch and first stitch of the next row are the same (because of the even number of stitches in the pattern) but it wasn’t hardly noticeable when completed. I did add a crocheted slip stitch edging around both the handle openings with one strand of yarn to sturdy them up and make them a little cleaner looking. This really helped in my opinion. Make sure you are overly generous with the tail yarn from the cast on that is used to join the bottom of the bag. I left a little more than two yards and ran out with only 5 stitches to seam up… grr. But I did use a slightly larger crochet hook to do the seaming because I was having too much trouble trying to grab both strands of yarn with the smaller hook. When binding off the top, I kept the seed stitch pattern going instead of just knitting it off. Now I just need to sew up a cute pocket lining and it’ll be fully complete! Cute pattern, glad I got it.This pattern is available for $1.99 USD on Ravelry. {photography: Jill Cannon}

{made} — rustic cable bobble bag

Knitted up this cute little bag the other day. Here are my notes on the pattern and process of making it…

 

Used two skeins of yarn doubled up, the pattern says to use two skeins but never specified it was doubled up, so started it with just one strand and it was really loose; had to restart with two and it’s much better. Guess I spaced out on that detail.

The bobbles are a little more difficult with the yarn doubled up, had to really concentrate on them and just take my time. Also, after the bubble is complete you have to push it through to the right side of the bag.

Another little thing that I found is the last stitch after you bind off for the handle is a knit stitch not a purl indicated on the chart… it ends up working out right the rest of the way, but the stitch that is left on the needle from binding off screws that up I think. Just continue working in the seed stitch and it’ll be fine.

I was concerned that the seed stitch on one of the side seam would look wrong since the last stitch and first stitch of the next row are the same (because of the even number of stitches in the pattern) but it wasn’t hardly noticeable when completed.

I did add a crocheted slip stitch edging around both the handle openings with one strand of yarn to sturdy them up and make them a little cleaner looking. This really helped in my opinion.

Make sure you are overly generous with the tail yarn from the cast on that is used to join the bottom of the bag. I left a little more than two yards and ran out with only 5 stitches to seam up… grr. But I did use a slightly larger crochet hook to do the seaming because I was having too much trouble trying to grab both strands of yarn with the smaller hook.

When binding off the top, I kept the seed stitch pattern going instead of just knitting it off.

Now I just need to sew up a cute pocket lining and it’ll be fully complete!

Cute pattern, glad I got it.
This pattern is available for $1.99 USD on Ravelry.

{photography: Jill Cannon}

07/30/2010 knitting, cable, homemade, bobble purse clutch
made — vintage bobble bag I was commissioned to make another crocheted bobble bag by a friend and I really like how it turned out. The color of the yarn mixed with the lighter zipper and floral fabric lining just fit so well together. I tried something new this time and sewed a cute little coin purse to go along with it. This really adds that special touch and makes unzipping it all that more fun because there is something unexpected inside. The pattern is from the book: One Skein by Leigh Radford.   {photography: Jill Cannon} 

made — vintage bobble bag

I was commissioned to make another crocheted bobble bag by a friend and I really like how it turned out. The color of the yarn mixed with the lighter zipper and floral fabric lining just fit so well together. I tried something new this time and sewed a cute little coin purse to go along with it. This really adds that special touch and makes unzipping it all that more fun because there is something unexpected inside.

The pattern is from the book: One Skein by Leigh Radford.  

{photography: Jill Cannon} 

04/22/2010 one skein, made homemade crochet bobble bag yarn clutch purse
made — green bobble bag Enjoyed making the first one so much ended up making another quick bobble bag as a birthday present. The zipper and lining went much easier on this one because I had a better idea as to what I should be doing. I also made this bag a little larger 9x6“ instead of 5x7“ which seemed nice, could put more things into it. {photography: Jill Cannon}

made — green bobble bag

Enjoyed making the first one so much ended up making another quick bobble bag as a birthday present. The zipper and lining went much easier on this one because I had a better idea as to what I should be doing. I also made this bag a little larger 9x6“ instead of 5x7“ which seemed nice, could put more things into it.

{photography: Jill Cannon}

01/30/2010 crochet, homemade, bobble bag purse clutch
made — bobble zipper bag I dug out the crochet needle that I haven’t used in a long time and made this cute little bobble bag. It was a fun, and for the most part, a fast project. The actual crocheting flew by, the sewing of the zipper and lining not so fast, for me at least. It was the first time I’ve ventured with a zipper or bag liner and let’s just say there is some room for growth and improvement… but, for a first attempt I’m pretty proud of myself. The pattern didn’t call for a lining, but I’m glad I did because it just really polishes it off and gives it a little more stability — otherwise the bag is a little flimsy. It also prevents anything from poking through the stitches. The pattern is from the book: One Skein by Leigh Radford. {photography: Jill Cannon}

made — bobble zipper bag

I dug out the crochet needle that I haven’t used in a long time and made this cute little bobble bag. It was a fun, and for the most part, a fast project. The actual crocheting flew by, the sewing of the zipper and lining not so fast, for me at least. It was the first time I’ve ventured with a zipper or bag liner and let’s just say there is some room for growth and improvement… but, for a first attempt I’m pretty proud of myself.

The pattern didn’t call for a lining, but I’m glad I did because it just really polishes it off and gives it a little more stability — otherwise the bag is a little flimsy. It also prevents anything from poking through the stitches.

The pattern is from the book: One Skein by Leigh Radford.

{photography: Jill Cannon}

01/27/2010 crochet homemade bobble bag clutch purse