"P" is for Purses...
(very small ones)

How are These Two Purses Different?

Believe it or not, the two purses above are exactly the same, with only a few variations. The most obvious variation is (of course) the thread / yarn used. Both have a circular base of single crochet, and the body is done in moss stitch. Both are about the same size, and both have drawstring closures.

They sure look different, though, don't they?

When you decide to make an "opera purse" (one of those ridiculously small purses that hold a credit card OR a $20 bill, but not both?), you are probably going to match an outfit you own, or a person you know. You have a few considerations:

* Are you going to show off the fiber you're crocheting? (If yes, you will probably want a simple crochet pattern that isn't too busy and doesn't distract from the yarn / thread. Beads, if any, should complement the fiber rather than attracting attention away from it.)

* Are you going to show off your crochet work? (If yes, you probably will want a simple thread that will show off your work. Thread "shows" better than yarn, because yarn fuzzes the stitchwork.)

* Are you going to have beads? Will they be an accent, or an integral part of the purse? (Beads show best, and are more easily strung, on thread.)

If you are planning a beaded design which includes multiple bead colors to make a picture, you are WAY beyond this introductory stuff. But if you are just starting out, I would suggest keeping your pattern simple and using only one type and color of bead. If you use two or more bead colors, use them in a random pattern.

I've done a series of purse "tutorials" that will walk you through a series of mini purses. Hopefully by the end you will be designing your own purses (and other beaded projects) without breaking a sweat.

Now, there are plenty of tutorials that will teach you the RIGHT way to crochet. I'm more inclined to crochet the WRONG way... not counting stitches, changing and adapting patterns, doing what strikes my fancy rather than what the directions say. If you're willing to jump off a ledge with me, you may find we land someplace interesting.

I've set up five different projects on the following pages. Each project builds upon what you learned in the previous purse. If a project covers something you are already competent in, feel free to skip it. You probably won't want to skip all the way to the end unless you've tried beaded crochet before and are fairly confident in your skills.

(I want to say that there is no math, but... you may need a LITTLE math. I can promise NO tests, though. Is that okay?)

The first project is an "envelope" purse with a random bead pattern or a simple bead pattern. You will have beads only on every OTHER row (for reasons explained later). This introduces you to stringing beads, and using beads in a beaded single crochet stitch with simple patternwork.

The second project is a round-bottomed purse with no beads, but using a nice yarn or a nice crochet stitch. The two purses pictured at the top of this page are examples of what you can do. (If you are used to crocheting in the round, both in a spiral and in discrete circles, you can skip this project.) This introduces the idea of creating a base, then expanding the base into a tube to form the purse. You will be working in a spiral for the bulk of the purse, then working in the round again at the end.

The third project adds beads to the second project. The beads may be in a pattern, or may be all-over. This combines the beaded single crochet, working in spirals, and simple patternwork.

The fourth project is a square project worked in the round, using a simple design or beaded pattern. A square purse worked in the round is one that has a square or rectangular base that then extends to form a tube for the body of the purse.

The fifth project is YOUR project, combining more advanced patterns with the skills you mastered earlier. I'll teach you how to get beads on both sides or your work if you are working back and forth. (This WILL require a new skill set, please don't try to skip to here without putting in a little time on the earlier projects!)

Ready to start? Great! On to Project #1, "P" #1 - Envelope Purse

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Please feel free to print copies for your own, personal use only. Thank you.