Go beyond the granny square

I’ve been working on a few cupcake purses for a knit/crochet swap I’m taking part in this month.  I whipped up three and finished last week.

I really didn’t have a pattern. I used a popcorn stitch to make the ‘icing’ at the bottom of the cupcake. My first cupcake purse didn’t turn out as great as I had hoped. I used a shell stitch for the icing but didn’t like the way it looked. So I went with something else this time. It’s a little more subtle but I think it looks okay.

I also used cotton yarn instead of acrylic yarn. It is not as stiff but I still like it better. Let’s just hope the recipients like it now.

Swaps are fun to take part in because you get something especially made for you. It’s also a great opportunity to try something new. I decided to make a purse for my partner. There were a few challenges in making it but overall I was pleased at how it turned out.

I used Gryffindor colors and found a simple pattern in a crochet book. The purse is basically made up on single crochet. I just switched colors to make the flap a different color. It’s all one piece except for the strap.

Once I attached the strap and stitched up the sides, it was time to line the purse. I had bought some festive material. Having no clue as to how to line a purse, I consulted the Internet. After reading a tutorial, I was even more confused than ever. I decided to mix the advice of the website and to do what I assumed would have to be done to make a lining. I measured twice and cut once My lining was way too big but I tacked it up. The purse could stretch so at least the lining will be big enough.

After sewing the lining together, I had to hand stitch it into the purse. My stitching is not perfect but a lot better than I thought I could do.

I did learn a few things and can’t wait to make another one. In fact, next year some people might find a purse made by me as their Christmas gift. It took about a week to make this one but I worked on it probably everyday. It was a fun project and showed me I can line purses. I’m glad it turned out OK and can’t wait to start my second purse.

There is an adorable Santa Hat crocheted purse on Ravelry. It would be such a cute bag to take to a Christmas party or other holiday event.  The problem is - along with not having enough time to add one more project to my list this December - there is no pattern. The pattern is from Quick and Easy Crochet magazine July/August 2006.

The hat part might be straightforward to do since it is most likely made up of single crochet. Just need to increase in rounds until you have the desired size of the purse. I have plenty of fun fur, so making the edge and the top of the hat should not be a problem. I know I have plenty of red yarn to work with, too.

While I ran out of time to crochet one this year, this is one project that I would like to tackle before next Christmas. I figure around February will be a good time to start tackling crafts for next Christmas. Maybe ten months will be enough time to get everything done.

Now here is a little child’s cupcake purse that I did by modifying the simple cupcake crochet pattern. I just worked a few more rounds to make the bottom bigger before working on the sides. I wished I had done a round of icing and then done the edging instead of trying to do the edging first.

This would be a cute present for a little girl. It didn’t take long to make either. This is easily made in one evening. I didn’t jot down any notes with this one as I was just experimenting around with the idea. I do plan to make at least one more, so when I do, I will write down instructions.

Apparently these crocheted cradle purses were popular in the 1970s. Now they are making a comeback. This pattern is easy to do and is pretty straightforward. I have been wanting to try to do one since I think it would make a cute Christmas gift.

These sell well at bazaars and craft shows. Just add a small doll to it for a really neat purse/toy. You can find them on Etsy for sale. If you decide to crochet one, it shouldn’t take but a few hours to complete it.

I was hoping to make enough to give each girl in our family one for Christmas. The pattern calls for Caron yarn but I might try a cotton for the cradle since it is a stiffer yarn. Hopefully it will hold the shape better than my first attempt.

The cradle purse is an easy enough pattern for the beginner to tackle since it only uses single crochet and double crochet. Use two colors to add more interest to the cradle. You will have to either purchase a small doll, make one, or use a small stuff animal with the cradle.