1940s Handbag, Style Number Two
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This handbag could be made with a variety of thicknesses of thread or with fingering or sport weight yarn (or with two strands of thread held together). The finished size will depend on the thickness of thread or yarn used. Whether you prefer a small or large bag is up to you. |
Wouldn't it be fun to search out a novelty yarn in a special fiber to make this bag with? My Net Links for Online Yarn/Thread Sources can help with that.
Materials Required:
Original directions called for Jack Frost brand Cordet - (5) 75-yd. tubes, interchangeable with Soutache, Kordette or Plastik-Yon, using a size 1 steel crochet hook.
As outlined above, choose your own thread or yarn, according to the approximate size you want your finished bag to be. Change size of hook according to thread or yarn weight used.
CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS
ch . . . chain
s c . . . Single Crochet
d c . . . Double Crochet
st . . . Stitch
sts . . . Stitches
sl st . . Slip Stitch
Ch 10.
Row 1: Skip first ch, work 1 s c in each of next 8 sts, 3
s c in last st, 8 s c on other side of ch, ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Work 1 s c in each of first 8 s c, taking back loop,
3 s c in next st, 1 s c in next st, 3 s c in next st,
1 s c in each of remaining 8 s c, ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Work 1 s c in each of first 9 sts, 3 s c in next st,
1 s c in each of next 3 sts, 3 s c in next st, 1 s c in each
of remaining 9 sts. Continue working as described above, having 1
more st at each side and 2 more at lower edge on every row,
for desired length. Work a corresponding piece.
FINISHING: Work 3 rows of s c across top of each piece,
taking back loop only.
SIDE GUSSETS: Ch 9. Work back and forth in s c, taking
back loop only, until piece corresponds to sides in length.
Decrease 1 st at each end on every row until 1 st remains.
Fasten off. Insert gussets between the 2 pieces at each
side with a row of s c, fitting the points into the
bottom of bag. Sew remainder of bag together at lower edge.
Sandi's Notes: Increasing and Decreasing - Where row 3 says to "have one more stitch at each side" this means to increase by working two single crochet in a same stitch at each place where it tells you to "have one more". On the side gussets, when it says to decrease, this is done by draw up a loop in first stitch, draw up a loop in next stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through all loops on hook (decrease made). Photos showing steps in doing a decrease.
Where row 2 says "taking back loop", today we would say "crocheting in back loop only". Photo showing crocheting in back loop.
Optional If you choose to, you could make a fabric lining for the inside of the purse. When purse pieces are crocheted, place one front or back piece on a piece of paper and trace around it to make a paper pattern as a guideline for cutting out the fabric liner shape. (Allow a bit extra around all edges for the seam.) Cut two liner pieces. With right sides together, sew around three sides, leaving top open. Fold top edge of liner under about 1/4 inch to wrong side, then fold under again. Sew along folded edge to hold this in place. When crocheted purse pieces are assembled, insert the fabric liner into the purse. Hand sew top edge of liner to the inside of the purse in such a manner that the stitching will not show from the right side of the purse.
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Here's a closer look at the stitch patterning on one side edge of this handbag. |
URL of this page is http://crochet.about.com/library/bl_1940bag2.htm
The pattern and handbag photos are from Jack Frost Handbags printed by Gottlieb Bros. in 1945. (now copyright-expired)
Other 1940s Handbags Patterns: http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa111399.htm
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