Some wonderful ladies at a knitting and crochet group I attend are constantly making items for the Red Cross fundraising stalls they hold regularly.
I saw this pattern and thought of them - simple to make, cool to look at, attractive to buy... and useful for children to transport little treasures, as they like to do.
Image source: http://anisbee.canalblog.com/archives/2012/05/13/24247781.html
They're here on the creator's blog (in French):
There's a detailed step by step photo tutorial here (in French):
And here on Ravelry:
If you do a Google Translate version of the tutorial, it's still a bit iffish to follow, because it's an automated translation that hasn't quite grasped crochet terminology.... (although I gather it's in US crochet terms).
So I wrote out a version of this in English (and UK terminology) for the Red Cross ladies. My French is spotty and school-level, but between the French, the photos and my trial and error... it's done.
The other sticking point* was the zips: for charity fundraising, zips at standard retail prices would add to the cost of making, and reduce the revenue going to the Red Cross. But I lucked on a cache of small zips at several op shops and gave them to the ladies. Any op shop with a haberdashery section probably has some zips, if you're looking.... (*sorry!)
Here's my English version: not for any kind of profiting, but just to help you if the photo tutorial isn't enough. If you're puzzled at any point, check back there first.
CROCHET
MONEY PURSES (La porte-monnaie en crochet)
Pattern in French with step by step photos:
version below is my English interpretation of that, to assist those bamboozled by French...
My introduction:
These look modern and crisp in light grey and dark grey with
a neon stripe in orange or green or pink or yellow, but could also be done with
scraps of yarn.
Both samples I made used Spotlight Marvel 8 ply acrylic yarn. The grey/orange/grey one was done with a 4mm
hook and has a denser fabric. I tried one with a 6mm hook, which made a larger purse with looser texture: I prefer the 4mm hook version.
This isn’t an expensive yarn, but the result is pleasing in texture and
colour: the double crochet works well.
One purse used about 30g of yarn.
I thought these would be good for a charity stall because
they’re quick to make and have lots of uses, not just as a coin purse. Kids often have stuff to carry – special toys
etc (eg. little farm animals or dolls).
Below are my pattern notes.
Basically, you make a six-sided ‘circle’ with increases, then stop
increasing and the rows become the sides of a circular bowl. Sew in the zip and you have a purse/pouch…you
might find there is also a market for the bowls, for bedside tables for
change/watch/bits and pieces, too.
If you wanted to make larger bowls, you keep increasing the
base (you’ll see below the pattern/maths of the increases) till you have the
size you want, then make the sides. As a
bowl, the modern homewares look for these usually involves making these high
enough so you can turn over the edges for an inch or so – which also gives a
slightly more rigid edge to the bowl.
Instructions for the basic coin purse/pouch
I've used UK crochet terminology. dc=double crochet ch=chain (in US terms, sc and ch)
Start with a magic loop (so you can draw it tight and the
coin purse doesn’t have a hole in the bottom. Never an asset to a purse).
Use dark grey yarn.
Rows 1-9 are
increasing rows. You start with 6 stitches and end up with 54.
Row 1: 2 ch (=1 dc), 5dc.
Join with a slip stitch. Add a
marker (eg. With yarn or a stitch marker) to note the beginning of the row. Stitch count: 6
Row 2: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 2 dc in each of
the remaining dc. Join with a slip
stitch. Stitch count: 12
Row 3: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in the
next dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in the next dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 18
Row 4: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in each of
the next two dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next two dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 24
Row 5: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in each of
the next three dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next three
dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 30
Row 6: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in each of
the next four dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next four dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 36
Row 7: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in each of
the next five dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next five dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 42
Row 8: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in each of
the next six dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next six dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 48
Row 9: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in the same place, 1 dc in each of
the next seven dc, *2 dc in the next dc, 1 dc in each of the next seven
dc*. Repeat from * * to the end. Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 54
This is the base of
the purse.
Rows 10 – 28 make the
sides of the purse.
Row 10: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in each dc, Join with a slip
stitch. Stitch count remains 54
Rows 11-15: As for Row 10.
2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in each dc, Join with a slip stitch. Stitch count: 54.
Change to orange yarn
Rows 16-17: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in each dc, Join with a slip
stitch. Stitch count remains 54
Change to light grey
yarn
Rows 18-28: 2 ch (=1 dc), 1 dc in each dc, Join with a slip
stitch. Stitch count remains 54
The crochet is finished.
Weave in the yarn ends. Pin in the zip and sew it with grey thread. If it’s a little long, line up the top of the
zip with one side of the purse and let the bottom of the zip sit down in the purse
(see the grey example). I used doubled
thread and did a backstitch every fourth stitch or so for strength.
See more of Sabine (annisbee) 's crochet on Ravelry - she has some lovely designs:
Note:INSTRUCTIONS in UK crochet terminology.
Note: links are in US crochet terminology.
