Pattern directions continued from page 1 of this pattern.
You will now work around the top edge of the front and back. Used in Top Round: sc around post of dc. If needed, see how-to photos at http://crochet.about.com/library/blscdpost.htm
Top Round: ch 1, sc in center of cluster just made, 2 sc around post of ea of next 8 dc, ch 6 for strap loop, 2 sc around post of ea of next 8 dc, sc in next st, 2 sc around post of ea of next 8 dc, ch 6 for strap loop, 2 sc around post of ea of next 8 dc, sl st in first sc of this round. Do not turn.
Top Round 2: ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in ea of next 16 sc, 7 sc in ch-6 (strap loop), sc in ea of next 33 sc, make 7 sc in next ch-6 strap loop, sc in ea of next 17 sc, then sl st in the first sc of this round. End off, leaving a strand for weaving in, to secure.
Weave in ends securely, going back and forth several times with the weaving in of each end, so that the end will not unravel with use. See weaving in how-to photos at
http://crochet.about.com/library/bl_weave_ends.htm
Flap: With the back of the purse facing you, attach yarn on the back of the purse, in the first stitch after the right-hand side strap loop.
Flap Row 1: Working in the back loop only of each sc, make an sc in ea sc across until you reach the strap loop on the left-hand side. This row is worked in the back loops only so that the flap will easily fold toward the front of the purse.
Note: sc decrease (sc dec) how-to photos can be seen at
http://crochet.about.com/library/bl_decrease.htm
Flap Row 2: ch 1 to turn, make an sc decrease over the first two sc of the row, sc in ea sc across until 2 sc remain, then make an sc dec over the last two sc of the row.
Flap Rows 3 - 8: Repeat Flap Row 2.
Flap Row 9 (buttonhole row): ch 1 to turn, make an sc dec over the first two sc of the row,
sc in ea of next 6 sc, ch 3, skip next 3 sc, sc in
ea of next 6 sc, then make an sc dec over the last two sc of the row.
Flap Row 10: ch 1 to turn, make an sc dec over the first two sc of the row, sc in ea sc until you reach the chain-3, make 3 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in ea sc until 2 sc remain, then make an sc dec over the last two sc of the row.
Flap Row 11: Repeat Flap Row 2.
Button: Close the purse flap to determine where the button will line up with the buttonhole. Mark that spot and use regular sewing thread and a sewing needle to sew the button in place.
Strap: Leaving a strand to weave in later to secure the end, chain 125.
Strap Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across.
Note: If you are making the purse with a thinner yarn, you may want to make a second row of single crochet on the strap, to make it sturdier. Use your own judgement, according to the materials that you are using to crochet the purse.
End off, leaving a strand for sewing.
Finishing the Strap: Weave the strap through the Strap Loop on one side then through the Strap
Loop on the other side. Check to make sure that the strap is not twisted anywhere along the strap then
sew the two ends of the strap together. Weave the yarn end in, weaving back and forth several times, to secure, so
that it will not come apart with use.
When using the strap to carry the purse: You can double the strap over (refer to photo on page 1) or you can
use the strap as a single strap when you want it longer, as a shoulder strap (as shown in the photo on this page).
Wrap For Strap: If you are planning to only use the strap doubled, as in the photo on page 1, you could add this Wrap For Strap (shown around the top of the strap in the photo on page 1).
Wrap For Strap, Starting Chain: ch 9.
Wrap For Strap, Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across. (8 sc)
Wrap For Strap, Rows 2 - 7: ch 1, turn, sc in ea sc across. (8 sc)
At the end of Row 7, end off, leaving a strand for sewing and for weaving in.
Wrap For Strap, Joining: Wrap this piece around the doubled strap at about the center
of the top of the strap. Being careful not to catch the strap itself in the sewing, sew across
the seam of the Wrap For Strap, to join the two edges.
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure.
