Elle’s Crochet Corner

a book in the bag

several months ago, i made a cane-handled handbag following the same pattern as was used for the multi-pink toned bamboo-handled bag (first project).

at first i was going to make them to copy the color (red) that was used in the book the pattern came from, but with a different set of purse handles for variety.

i then considered making them for my mom for her birthday (she loves red). that was back in october.

then i waffled back and forth between making them for her and selling them. the fact is, we don’t get along at all, and i don’t really like her. it’s a mean thing to say i know, but i’m just being honest. it usually doesn’t feel natural to give her gifts, especially if it is something i made.

there is something wrong, something she can find to criticize. i guess deep down inside i’m not willing to present the bag to her ‘proudly’ as one daughter might to her mom, when i know she will most likely find something wrong with them (’oh.. can’t you make this rectangular instead?’), and i’ll just regret having even bothered.

so i decided just to put them up for sale.

although i’ve had success selling ninja dolls and handwarmers, i haven’t had much luck selling this particular red handbag at the price i was asking for. it looks like by default then (since i don’t know what other friend or family might enjoy this bag (color), and i don’t feel comfortable selling it for much less), i may just end up giving it to mother as a winter gift.

* * *

making the bag with pattern

fabric closeup

bag opening closeup

side of opening

handles stitches

cane handles

macrame fringes and beads

book bag

finished product

the back took me 3-4 weeks of my spare time to make. i would say over 8 hours?

i used the following supplies:

• red heart super saver yarn, red color
• cane purse handles set
• deep red thread
• deep red lining fabric
• leftover wooden ‘beads’ (from similar project)

and the following tools:

• elmer’s glue
• yarn needle
• size I crochet hook?
• scissors

i learned about the importance of the use of gauge here! i normally do not enjoy bothering with gauge — in fact, i think i’ve only made a gauge once. i just find them annoying and detaining me from the actual project, the fun part. i think i understand their purpose and usefulness, but eh. i’m a lazy crocheter, i suppose.

well, i learned my lesson: the two sides i made for the bag turned out uneven — one of the sides turned out somewhat wider than the other. i was able to do a crochet ‘hack’ to incorporate the extra width, but i wasn’t happy that it cropped up to begin with.

for projects such as these that require matching sides in the future, i may will myself to make use of gauges!

maybe.

crocheting at the laguna seca superbike races

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In: for sale, projects | tags: crochet, etsy, handbag, mom, red, red heart, super saver. | #