Saturday 12 December 2015

MY 2nd CHEVRON CLUTCH PURSE

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the Chevron Clutch purse
MY CHEVRON CLUTCH PURSE

This is the second clutch purse I’m making using the Chevron stitch.
In the earlier one, I just made a rectangle and folding that in half made a clutch purse.  With this one though, I’m making one end straight-edged and the other one (i.e the flap that will show on top) will have the lovely arrow shaped that is so definitive of the Chevron stitch.

As I said before, I do not find the Chevron stitch a ‘do-in-front-of-TV-and-not-pay-attention’ kind of projects either.  
Chevrons need counting .. well, at least I think so.  Getting that “V” shape just right needs a little focus, but once done .. aah, it’s so totally worth it.

After I made this, someone said that this purse is available as a free pattern titled Bridesmaid Purse, and that one uses a single crochet all through.
Being lazy, I always try to find ‘cheat ways’ to get my project done ‘faster’ but I am fussy enough to want it to look nice and stylish too. 
So this is what I’ve come up with.

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Difficulty level : Intermediate crochet skills

Materials used : Today I’ve used our Indian polyester metallic yarn,  with a 3.5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends ;  beads ; pearls

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros or unbranded knitting cotton as well
General yarn info : This polyester yarn is available only in India.
The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.


Abbreviations used :
ch : chain                ch-sp : chain space
sp : space               rep : Repeat
fsc : Foundation single crochet                                 
hdc : Half double crochet


Stitches usedUsing U.S terminology
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

Foundation half double crochet (fhdc) : This is an easy way to start a row of hdc without the starting chain row.
Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/SEG2UCRfypA

How to add beads : Check this video at https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : Check out this video at https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

How to thread beads onto your yarn :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3WKv0W8miQ

How to attach a zipper : 



Pattern Instructions : 
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

Quick analysis of what we’re going to do here today.  
We start with fsc (or fhdc),  and then start on our Chevron stitch.  
We will make a long rectangular piece, which we will fold up to make this lovely wallet / clutch purse. 
Now the foundation row that we start with will be the inner portion of our clutch purse, and we will end with the lovely chevron edge that forms the flap of our clutch purse.

This difference is only important if you decide to use the beads in this project.

So I feel it does not matter if the part that goes inside (I mean the part that is under the flap) has any beads or not as it is not going to be seen.
So I have opted not to use beads in those rows that go under the flap.

What I have done is decided what the width for my finished clutch purse is.  
I have then not worked beads in that first portion (so say I want a width of 5, I have not worked beads in the first 5” of my purse.
That said, if you decide you don’t want beads on the back of your work either, then calculate that in too.

Per row for this stitch count, we’ll need 18 beads, as we’ll use a total of 6 beads per “V” of the Chevron stitch.

So how do you calculate how wide you want your purse? (i.e from side to side)

So each “V’ of the chevron is made up of (10 + 10 + 2) + 2 , the 10 sts being one half of the “V” and the 2 being sk sts in between the “V”. 
Our project has three “V’s” which makes it (60 + 8) = 68. 

Now my suggestion is that you work the first row (or 2, depending on how mad you get frogging stuff back) and then decide on how wide you want your start row.  
You cannot decide on the length of the 68 fsc as that will shrink when it becomes a “V”, thanks to the Chevron pattern.

Finally, to give it a lovely texture to our purse , we will be working only in back loops throughout the project. 
So that’s what hdc-blo means. (Half double crochet in back loop only)

Right, we have got all our ideas down and you have your calculations ready ..Let’s get started.

Start with 68 fsc.

Half double crochet back loop only (hdc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/mMZhS37JP2k

Row 1 : 2 hdc-blo in the 1st fsc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 9 fsc ; sk next 2 fsc ;
*hdc-blo in the next 10 fsc ; 
3 hdc-blo in the next fsc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 10 fsc ; sk next 2 fsc* ;
rep *to* till the last 10 fsc ; 
hdc-blo in the last 9 fsc ; 
2 hdc-blo in the last fsc.  Turn

Row 2 : 2 hdc-blo in the 1st hdc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 9 hdc ; sk next 2 hdc ;
*hdc-blo in the next 10 hdc ; 3
 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
hdc-blo in the next 10 hdc ; sk next 2 hdc* ;
rep *to* till the last 10 hdc ;
hdc-blo in the last 9 hdc ; 
2 hdc-blo in the last hdc.  Turn

Row 3 : Rep Row 2

And here’s where your creativity comes in.  
If you are working with the beads all the way through your work, then you will work the bead row in now, and work the pattern repeat as given under.

If you decide NOT to add beads now and only for the flap, then rep Row 2 till your project reaches the width needed before you decide to add in the bead row.
Once you add in the bead row, please follow the pattern repeat given.

Finally, as I’ve decided to use the beads only on the flap, I thought I’d keep the bead rows closer.  
So I’ve alternated Rows 2 and 4, thus I have a bead row every alternate row.  
So more decisions for you.

Row 4 : Bead  row : 2 hdc-blo in the 1sthdc; 
(hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
INSERT BEAD, sk next hdc ; hdc-blo in the next hdc) ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
sk next 2 hdc ;
*[rep (to) 3 times ; 
hdc-blo in the next hdc] ; 
3 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
rep [to] once ; 
sk next 2 hdc* ;
rep *to* till the last 10 hdc ; 
rep (to) 2 times ; 
2 hdc-blo in the last hdc.  Turn.

Row 5 - 7 : Rep Row 2.

Row 8 : Rep Row 4.

Note : In Row 5, finding that back loop may be a bit troublesome, but don’t worry too much about it, as the lovely bead will make up for it.  
In Rows 6 & 7, you will find the back loop easily.

Rep Rows 5 - 8 till your project is the length  you are happy with.  
Remember though, this is just a general statement, as you may have (as I have) decided to change your Bead Row frequency.  
So let’s get this rectangular bit done and we will then fold our rectangular project to make a neat clutch ..that looks like a cute crown!

Fasten off and weave in ends.

We’ve finished with the chevron portion of the purse.  
We’ll now go back to the start fsc / fhdc row and will straighten that edge.
Re-attach your yarn in that first row.

Now what we’re going to do here is fill in the “V” bits, so we’ll work all the way to the tip of the first “V” and then work back and forth to close this “V” and straighten this edge.  We will then fasten off and work the next “V”, all the way through the top edge, till its neat and straight.
Let’s get this bit done then.  

Oh, we're using a bunch of stitches over the next row, so here's video tutorials for them all placed conveniently.  Remember to check the top of the blog as well, for any stitch video tutorial you need.

Triple Crochet : trc : wrap yarn twice around hook, insert hk into st ; yo (4 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] three times.  One trc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/A0y4BbgDTbs

Chainless start for Triple / Treble Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of trc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/f42MO0cGYC0  

Single crochet 3-tog : sc 3-tog :   Here is an easy video tutorial at

Double crochet 3-tog : dc 3-tog :   Here is an easy video tutorial at https://youtu.be/qlnqXDB3OUM

Top Row 1 : ch 1, trc in the 1st st ; 
dc in the next 3 sts ; hdc in the next 3 sts ; 
sc in the next 3 sts 
(and you should be in the of the 1st 3-hdc set) ;
sc 3-tog over the next 3 sts ; 
*sc in the next 3 sts ; hdc in the next 3 sts ; 
dc in the next 3 sts ; (and you should be near the centre ‘valley’ sts) ; 
dc 3-tog over the next 3 sts ; dc in the next 3 sts ; 
hdc in the next 3 sts ; sc in the next 3 sts (and you’re be in the 3-hdc set) ; 
sc 3-tog over the next 3 sts* ; 
rep *to* through the “V” sts till you’re at the last half “V” ; 
sc in the next 3 sts ; hdc in the next 3 sts ; 
dc in the next 3 sts ; trc in the last st. Turn.

Top Row 2 : sc in the 1st st and each st till end.  Turn.

Top Row 3 : Rep Top Row 2 once.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the Chevron Clutch purse showing magnet catch

Finishing :
Line your bag, attach the zipper ..and we’re done with this lovely beaded Chevron stitch clutch purse.  Check the top of this blog for zipper and lining ideas.

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the Chevron Clutch purse showing zipper and lining

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the Chevron Clutch purse showing the whole finished bag

Sweet Nothings Crochet free crochet pattern blog ; photo of the Chevron Clutch purse peeking inside

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.. and some bag patterns