Lion Brand^® Martha Stewart Crafts^TM/MC Extra Soft Wool Blend

GAUGE:

Rows 1-4 of Front measure about 4 in. (10 cm) across straight edge and have a 2 in. (5 cm) radius (from beg ring to edge). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:

4-dc Cl (4 double crochet cluster) Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops rem on hook), *yarn over, insert hook in same st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook; rep from * 2 more times, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook. 5-dc Cl (5 double crochet cluster) Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook (2 loops rem on hook), *yarn over, insert hook in same st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook; rep from * 3 more times, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook. FPhtr (front post half treble crochet) Working loosely, yo twice, insert hook from front to back then to front, going around post of indicated st, draw up a loop,  yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook. FPtr (front post treble crochet) Yo twice, insert hook from front to back then to front, going around post of indicated st, draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. FPtr2tog (front post treble crochet 2 sts together) Yo twice, insert hook from front to back then to front, going around post of indicated st, draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) 2 times; yo twice, insert hook from front to back then to front, going around post of next indicated st, draw up a loop, (yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) 2 times; yo and draw through all loops on hook. sc2tog (sc 2 sts together) Insert hook into st and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook – 1 st decreased.

NOTES:

1. Front and Back are worked back and forth in rows, each is a semicircle.
2. Take care when reading instructions for post st rows. Post sts are worked around sts 2 rows below. Stitch markers may be used to aid in locating the correct sts to work post sts around.
3. Sometimes you will be instructed to sk the st 'behind' the post st and sometimes you will not. Only sk the st 'behind' a post st when instructed to do so.
4. Bag may be lined with a fused in felt lining or a sewn fabric lining.
5. Stitch Witchery fusible web is available in many fabric stores. It is a very thin fabric consisting mostly of glue. When heat from a steam iron is applied, the glue melts and fuses 2 pieces of fabric together. Use this option if you prefer not to sew the lining.

FRONT
With larger hook, ch 3.
Row 1 (WS): Work 4 hdc in 3rd ch from hook (beg ch counts as first hdc) – 5 hdc at the end of this row.
Row 2 (RS): Ch 2 (counts as first hdc in this row and in all following rows), turn, hdc in first st (increase made), 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in top of beg ch – 9 hdc at the end of this row.
Row 3: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, (2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st) 3 times, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in top of beg ch – 13 hdc at the end of this row.
Row 4: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, (hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) 2 times, hdc in next st, hdc in top of beg ch – 17 hdc at the end of this row.
Place a marker in the 4th, 7th, 11th, and 14th sts of Row 4 to indicate where post sts will be worked when working Row 6. Do not move these markers up as you work the next row.
Row 5 (Cluster Row): Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 2 sts, (5-dc Cl, hdc) in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, 5-dc Cl in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, (hdc, 5-dc Cl) in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 21 sts at the end of this row.
Note: Only sk the st 'behind' a post st when instructed to do so. Remove the Row 4 markers as you work Row 6.
Row 6: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next st, FPtr around 4th (marked) st of Row 4), hdc in next 2 sts of Row 5, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, sk next st behind FPtr, hdc in next st, FPtr around 7th (marked) st of Row 4, hdc in next 2 sts, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, sk next st behind FPtr, hdc in next 3 sts, FPtr around 11th (marked) st of Row 4, hdc in next 2 sts, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, sk next st behind FPtr, hdc in next st, FPtr around 14th (marked) st of Row 4, hdc in next 2 sts, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, sk next st behind FPtr, hdc in next st, hdc in top of beg ch – 25 sts at the end of this row.
Row 7: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 29 sts at the end of this row.
Row 8: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next st, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below (in Row 6), sk next st of Row 7 behind the FPhtr, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 2 sts, FPhtr around post of next FPtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPhtr, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 5 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPhtr, hdc in next 2 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPhtr, hdc in next st, hdc in top of beg ch – 33 sts at the end of this row.
Note: The two halves of Row 9 are not exact mirror-images of each other. This is part of the design. This slight asymmetry allows the clusters to align better with the clusters in previous rows.
Row 9: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 2 sts, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 37 sts at the end of this row.
Row 10: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 3 sts, FPtr2tog working around each of the first 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk the next st behind FPtr2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, FPtr2tog working around each of the next 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPtr2tog, hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, FPtr2tog working around each of the next 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPtr2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, FPtr2tog working around each of the next 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPtr2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 41 sts at the end of this row.
Place a marker in the 10th, 21st (center st), and 32nd st of Row 10 to indicate where post sts will be worked when working Row 12. Do not move these markers up as you work the next row.
Row 11: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 8 sts, (hdc, 5-dc Cl) in next st, hdc in next 9 sts, 2 hdc in next st, 5-dc Cl in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 9 sts, (5-dc Cl, hdc) in next st, hdc in next 8 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 45 sts at the end of this row.
Note: Remove Row 10 markers as you work Row 12.
Row 12: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 8 sts, FPtr around 10th (marked) st of Row 10, sk next st behind FPtr, hdc in next 2 sts, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, hdc in next 9 sts, FPtr around center (marked) st of Row 10, hdc in next 3 sts, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, hdc in next 9 sts, FPtr around 32nd (marked) of Row 10, hdc in next 2 sts, FPtr around same st as last FPtr made, sk next st behind FPtr, hdc in next 8 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 49 sts at the end of this row.
Row 13: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 10 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 11 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 10 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 53 sts at the end of this row.
Row 14: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 8 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPhtr, hdc in next 12 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 12 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, hdc in next 3 sts, FPhtr around next FPtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPhtr, hdc in next 8 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 57 sts at the end of this row.
Row 15: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 10 sts, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 13 sts, 2 hdc in next st, 5-dc Cl in next st, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 13 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st, 5-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next 10 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 61 sts at the end of this row.
Row 16: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, hdc in next 10 sts, FPtr2tog working around each of the first 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPtr2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 14 sts, 2 hdc in next st, FPtr2tog working around each of the next 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPtr2tog, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 14 sts, 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts, FPtr2tog working around each of the next 2 FPhtr 2 rows below, sk next st behind FPtr2tog, hdc in next 10 sts, hdc in top of beg ch – 65 sts at the end of this row.
Row 17: Ch 2, turn, sk first st, *4-dc Cl in next st, hdc in next st; rep from * to last st, hdc in last st. Fasten off.

Place Front onto paper. Smooth Front to desired measurements, then trace around the Front onto the paper. Remove the Front from the paper.

Note: Decide at this point which lining you want to make. To make the fused felt lining, continue with the next section of the pattern. To make the fabric lining, proceed to the pattern section marked “Top Flap’.

Fused Felt Lining option
Cut out paper shape about 1/2 in. (1.5 cm) INSIDE the marked line. Fold fusible web in half and pin paper pattern to it.  Cut around paper pattern to make 2 pieces of web. Pin pattern to felt and cut 2 pieces of felt.

Lay Front of Bag onto ironing board, with WS facing up. Lay fusible web, then felt piece onto Front.

With steam iron, and working on felt side, carefully press the piece until the interfacing melts and fuses the felt to the Front. Press lightly and slowly, do not overly flatten the Front. After felt is fused to Front, use fingers to pull out the clusters and post sts, so they maintain a 3-dimensional look.

Top Flap (to attach handle)
From RS with smaller hook, join yarn with sl st in end of Row 16, to work in ends of rows across top of piece.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, work 32 sc evenly spaced across top of piece to opposite end of Row 16.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sk first st, sc in each st across to last 2 sts, sc2tog – 30 sts at the end of this row.
Rows 4–6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st across to last st, 2 sc in last st – 32 sts at the end of this row.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Draw flap from RS to WS through opening in one purse handle. Fold flap down and over handle. On WS, with sewing needle and thread, sew Row 8 to Row 1.

BACK
Make same as Front.

FINISHING
Hold Front and Back with WS together, matching sts of last row of pieces. From RS, working through both thicknesses and leaving a long tail, join yarn with sl st in first st, sl st in each st across Row 17 to join. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave in beg and end yarn tails carefully, making neat and secure joins at top edge of Bag opening.  Weave in remaining ends.

Sewn Fabric Lining option
Cut out paper pattern about 1/2 in. (1.5 cm) OUTSIDE the marked line.
Fold lining fabric in half and pin paper pattern to it. Cut around paper pattern to make 2 pieces of lining.

With RS of fabric pieces together, seam curved edges. With steam iron, press 1/2 in. (1.5 cm) along open (top) edge of lining down to WS.
Slip lining into Bag. With sewing needle and thread, sew top edge of lining to inside top edge of Bag.

  Learn to Crochet Instructions:  http://learnToCrochet.LionBrand.com