Free 1940s Handbag Pattern, Style Number Three
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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 Straw - (3) 2-oz. tubes, interchangeable with Cordet, Soutache or Kordette, using a size 4 white 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
sc . . . Single Crochet
st . . . Stitch
sts . . Stitches
Shell = (3 d c, ch 1, 3 d c) in next st
Ch 61. Skip first ch. Work 1 s c in each of the next 60 ch sts. Repeat
for 12 rows, then work in pattern as follows:
Row 1: * Skip 2 s c; (3 d c, ch 1, 3 d c) in next st,
skip 2 s c, 1 s c in next st; repeat from * across row
(10 shell sts).
Row 2: Work a shell st in the s c of
row below and 1 s c in the ch 1 of shell st below
(11 shells).
Repeat above 2 rows for 18 rows.
Work a corresponding piece.
GUSSET: Ch 7, turn. Work 6 s c on ch.
Work back and forth in s c for 29 inches. Join around 3 sides of
bag with a row of s c. Fold in gusset at top. Sew the s c
rows together at both sides. Fold down cuff. Insert zipper.
Sandi's Notes: In the Gusset, where it says to "Work back and forth in s c for 29 inches", the number of inches that you need this piece to be may vary according to the thickness of thread or yarn that you are using and the resulting size of your handbag. Every once in awhile as you're making it, just check the length of this gusset piece against the length needed to fit around the sides and bottom of your handbag and adjust the length accordingly.
In the Gusset instructions, it says "Insert zipper". This would be done by sewing machine or by hand sewing. It may work out best to hand sew a zipper into these crocheted pieces.
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 stitches used in making this handbag style. The photo of the finished handbag shows the pieces turned and assembled so that the shell stitches are upside-down. Interesting effect! |
URL of this page is http://crochet.about.com/library/bl_1940bag3.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
