Channel your inner Mary Quant with a 1960s London-inspired purse. This tapestry crochet purse draws on Carnaby Street’s finest fashions, with a touch of wool hinting at classic British textiles. Worked in two colors throughout, the pattern follows a straightforward repeat to create a diagonal plaid, with just a hint of shaping. Use a metal purse frame with a clasp for an extra touch of vintage chic.

Time: Weekend Project

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 8 1/4” [21 cm] width x 8” [20 cm] length

Gauge: 17 sts and 17 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn: Wendy DK with Wool (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 306 yards [280 meters]/100 grams): 5319 Liquorice (MC, 2 balls) 5300 Snow (CC, 1 ball)

Hook/Needles: US size G/6 (4.0 mm) hook

Notions: Tapestry needle, 7” purse frame with clasp

Pattern Notes

The purse sides are sewn to the handles individually to allow space to maneuver as you sew. If preferred, sew the sides together then sew the handles to the fully-formed purse.

Pattern

Purse Sides

Make 2

With MC, ch 36.
Row 1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc across, turn. (35 sts at end of this row)

Row 2: Ch 1, MC 5 sc, [CC 5 sc, MC 5 sc] three times, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, [MC 1 sc, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc] three times, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, MC 1 sc, [CC 1 sc, MC 1 sc] across, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, CC 1 sc, [MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc] across, turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, MC 1 sc, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, [CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc] three times, turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, CC 5 sc, [MC 5 sc, CC 5 sc] three times, turn.

Row 8: Rep row 6.

Row 9: Rep row 5.

Row 10: Rep row 4.

Row 11: Rep row 3.

Row 12: Ch 1, MC sc2tog, MC 3 sc, [CC 5 sc, MC 5 sc] twice, CC 5 sc, MC 3 sc, MC sc2tog. turn. (33 sts at end of this row)

Row 13: Ch 1, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, [MC 1 sc, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc] twice, MC 1 sc, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, turn.

Row 14: Ch 1, CC 1 sc, [MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc] across, turn.

Row 15: Ch 1, MC 1 sc, [CC 1 sc, MC 1 sc] across, turn.

Row 16: Ch 1, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, [CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc] twice, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, turn.

Row 17: Ch 1, CC 4 sc, [MC 5 sc, CC 5 sc] twice, MC 5 sc, CC 4 sc, turn.

Row 18: Rep row 16.

Row 19: Rep row 15.

Row 20: Rep row 14.

Row 21: Rep row 13.

Row 22: Ch 1, MC sc2tog, MC 2 sc, [CC 5 sc, MC 5 sc] twice, CC 5 sc, MC 2 sc, MC sc2tog. turn. (31 sts at end of this row)

Row 23: Ch 1, MC 2 sc, CC 1 sc, [MC 1 sc, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc] twice, MC 1 sc, CC 3 sc, MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 2 sc, turn.

Row 24: Ch 1, MC 1 sc, [CC 1 sc, MC 1 sc] across, turn.

Row 25: Ch 1, CC 1 sc, [MC 1 sc, CC 1 sc] across, turn.

Row 26: Ch 1, CC 2 sc, MC 1 sc, [CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc] twice, CC 1 sc, MC 3 sc, CC 1 sc, CC 1 sc, MC 2 sc, turn.

Row 27: Ch 1, CC 3 sc, [MC 5 sc, CC 5 sc] twice, MC 5, CC 3 sc, turn.

Row 28: Rep row 26.

Row 29: Rep row 25.

Row 30: Rep row 24.

Row 31: Rep row 23.

Row 32: Ch 1, MC sc2tog, MC 1 sc, [CC 5 sc, MC 5 sc] twice, CC 5 sc, MC 1 sc, MC sc2tog. turn. (29 sts at end of this row)

Bind off.

Purse Straps

Make 2

With MC, ch 81.

Rows 1-3: Ch 1, sc across, turn. (80 sts at end of this row)

Row 4: Fold longways with WS tog. Working into both edges, ch 1, sc across. (80 sts at end of this row)

Bind off.

Finishing

Weave in ends and block. With MC, sew straps to top WS of purse sides. Position top of one side panel to purse frame with RS facing and attach with MC. Position second side, ensuring it aligns with the first. With MC, sew around sides and base. BO and weave in ends.