This medium size handbag has an openwork outer layer and a liner in a contrasting color behind the boxed shell design front.
Abbreviations: beg = beginning, ch = chain, dc = double crochet, ea = each, sc = single crochet, sl st = slip stitch, sp = space
Materials Used in the Example: about 2 1/2 oz. color A, 2 oz. color B worsted weight yarn, US size H hook, a button that's about 1 inch in diameter
In the example, I used Red Heart Super Saver Pretty n' Pink for color A and Black for color B.
Pattern Note: Worked in rounds; do not turn at the end of a round. If you display on the Internet your photo of a bag that you made from my pattern, please be kind and include a link to my free pattern so that others will know where to find the pattern also and can come to this site for themselves. Thank you. I appreciate it.
Starting Chain: ch 22.
Rnd 1: dc in back loop of 5th ch from hook (this forms the first 2 dc of the round), dc in back loop of ea of next 16 chs, 6 dc in next ch, then working in remaining looops on opposite side of starting chain, dc in ea of next 17 chs, 5 dc in next ch, then sl st in 3rd ch of stitch that counts as first dc at beginning of this round.
Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same place as ch-3 just made, dc in ea of next 17 dc, 2 dc in ea of next 6 dc, dc in ea of next 17 dc, 2 dc in ea of next 5 dc, sl st in top of beg ch-3 of this round.
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in next dc, dc in ea of next 18 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 6 times, dc in ea of next 18 dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 5 times, sl st in top of beginning ch-3 of this round.
Rnd 4: ch 1, sc in first dc, sc in ea dc around then sl st in front loop of beg sc of this round.
Rnd 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 3 more dc in front loop in same place as ch-3 just made, * skip next 3 sc, 4 dc in front loop of next sc **, repeat the directions between * and ** around until only 3 sc remain, then skip next 3 sc, sl st in beg ch-3 of this rnd.
Rnd 6: ch 5 (counts as first dc and a ch-2), skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 2 dc, * ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 2 dc **, repeat the directions between * and ** until 2 dc remain, then ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc, sl st in beg ch-3 of this rnd.
Rnd 7: ch 1, sc in first dc, * 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in ea of next 2 dc **, repeat the directions between * and ** around, ending with 2 sc in ch-2 sp, sc in next dc, sl st in beg sc of this rnd.
Rnd 8: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 3 more dc in same place as ch-3 just made, * skip next 3 sc, 4 dc in next sc **, repeat the directions between * and ** around, until only 3 sc remain, then skip next 3 sc, sl st in beg ch-3 of this rnd.
Rnds 9 - 11: Repeat Rnds 6 - 8.
Rnds 12 - 14: Repeat Rnds 6 - 8.
Rnd 15: slip stitch in next dc (to be at the right spot to begin this round), ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 more dc in same place as ch-3 just made, 2 dc in next dc, * skip next 2 dc, 2 dc in ea of next 2 dc **, repeat the directions between * and ** until only 2 dc remain, then skip next 2 dc, sl st in beg ch-3 of this rnd.
Rnd 16: Repeat Rnd 15.
Rnd 17: ch 5 (counts as first dc and a ch-2), skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 2 dc, * ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in ea of next 2 dc **, repeat the directions between * and ** until only 3 dc remain, then ch 2, skip next 2 dc, dc in next dc, sl st in beg ch-3 of this rnd.
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure.
Lining: Turn the Front Piece inside out so you can crochet the lining behind the stitches of the Front Piece. Attach color B in the remaining loop of an sc at the base of one of the dc groups on Rnd 5. The easiest way to crochet this lining is to let the rounds point outward away from the main piece then fold the completed lining upward when finished, so that the lining will be directly behind the front piece.
Lining Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), * dc in both loops of ea of the next 3 sc (between dc groups), dc in the remaining loop of next sc at the base of next dc group **, repeat the directions between * and ** to go around, then sl st in the to ch of the beg ch-3 of this rnd.
Lining Rnds 2 - 10: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea dc around, skip the sl st that joined the end of the previous rnd (so you don't accidentally increase by one extra stitch on each rnd), sl st in the top ch of the beg ch-3 of this rnd.
Lining Rnd 11: ch 1, sc in ea dc around, then sl st in first sc of this rnd.
Lining Rnd 12: ch 5 (counts as first dc and a ch-2), skip next 2 sc, dc in ea of next 2 sc, * ch 2, skip next 2 sc, dc in ea of next 2 sc **, repeat the directions between * and ** 17 more times, then ch 2, skip next 2 sc, dc in next sc, sl st in beg ch-3 of this rnd. Do not end off yet.
Turn right side out so that the Front Piece is on the outside and the Lining is inside the front piece.
Joining Lining and Front: Line up the two pieces and work through both pieces at the same time, to join, beginning with a ch-1, then making an sc in ea dc and 2 sc in ea ch-2 sp. At end of the
round, sl st in the first sc of this round.
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure.
Directions for the closure piece and the strap are on Page 2 of this pattern.
