How to Crochet a Bassinet Purse

Turn an empty dishwashing liquid bottle into a clever bassinet purse.

Delight a little girl with a clever crochet project that appeals to her fashion sense and doubles as an accessory for her dolls. The crochet drawstring purse folds in on itself to reveal its hidden secret -- it's really a bassinet that's perfectly sized for a tiny baby doll. The pattern uses single crochet, double crochet and half double crochet stitches to work up quickly in the hands of an experienced crocheter.

Things You'll Need

• Empty plastic dish washing liquid bottle
• Scissors or craft knife
• Emery board
• Hole punch
• 2 oz. baby or sport yarn, main color
• 2 oz. baby or sport yarn, contrast color
• Small amount of polyester fiberfill
• 1 square of fabric, about 12 inches square
• Needle and thread or sewing machine

Instructions

Prepare the Bottle

1. Cut the bottle off about 2 inches from the bottom using scissors or a craft knife. Discard the top section.

2. Wash and dry the bottom of the bottle. Smooth the cut edge with an emery board.

3. Punch evenly spaced holes around the top of the bottle section, about 1/4 inch from the cut edge with the hole punch. The number of holes you make depends on the diameter of the hole punch. Space the holes about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart. Set the bottle section aside.

Crochet the Purse

1. Make a starting chain of nine chain stitches with the main color yarn. Work one single crochet in the second chain stitch from the hook and in each chain stitch to the end. Work one chain stitch and turn.

2. Work even in single crochet on eight stitches until your work is the same length as the bottom of the bottle.

3. Work a round of single crochet stitches around the entire piece as follows: work one single crochet in each single crochet stitch to the last stitch. Work three single crochet stitches in the corner stitch. Work one single crochet into the end of each row down the side. Work three single crochet stitches in the corner stitch. Work one single crochet in each of the starting chain stitches, three single crochet stitches in the corner stitch and one single crochet stitch in the end of each row. Work two single crochet stitches in the same stitch as the first single crochet stitch. Slip stitch into the first single crochet stitch to join the round.

4. Work one single crochet stitch in the back loop only of each single crochet stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the first single crochet. Join all rounds from this point on.

5. Work three chain stitches. Work one double crochet stitch in each single crochet stitch around. Continue working in rounds of double crochet stitches until the purse is about 2 inches tall, or tall enough to cover the entire plastic bottle bottom.

6. Fit the plastic bottle bottom into the crocheted piece. Work three chain stitches. Work a row of double crochet stitches around, working each stitch through one of the punched holes in the plastic. Join in the first stitch when you complete the round.

7. Continue working in rounds of double crochet stitches without increasing or decreasing until the purse measures approximately 5 inches from the bottom.

8. Work three chain stitches. Double crochet in the first double crochet stitch. Work two chain stitches. Skip the next two double crochet stitches. Work one double crochet in each of the next two double crochet stitches. Continue in this manner for the entire round. Join with a slip stitch in the third stitch of the beginning chain.

9. Work one chain stitch. Work one single crochet stitch in each double crochet stitch around. Join with a slip stitch in the starting chain stitch.

10. Work three chain stitches. Work a single crochet stitch in the fourth single crochet. Work the rest of the round in this manner. End with three chain stitches and a slip stitch into the same space as the starting chain. Break the yarn about 2 inches from the hook and pull the end through the loop to finish.

11. Insert the crochet hook under the first chain-three loop. Bring contrasting yarn over the hook and pull it back through the loop. Bring the yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop on the hook to attach the contrasting color. In the same chain-three loop, work one single crochet stitch, two half double crochet stitches, one double crochet stitch, two half double crochet stitches and one single crochet. Repeat the last seven stitches in each chain-three loop to the end of the round. End with a slip stitch into the first single crochet. Break the yarn and pull it through the loop to finish off.

12. Fold the top half of the purse down over the bottom half the way that you'd cuff a sock. Insert the crochet hook around the post of one stitch in the row of stitches that attaches the bottle to the purse. Bring contrasting yarn over the hook and pull it back through. Wrap yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop. Work one single crochet stitch around the post of each double crochet stitch in that row.

13. Work a ruffle around the top of the bassinet as you did the ruffle around the top of the purse. Break the yarn and end off.

14. Cut three 2-yard long strands of yarn in each color. Hold the six strands together and fold them in half. Tie the cut ends together in a single knot. Loop the knotted end over a doorknob and slip a pencil through the folded end. Keeping the yarn taut, turn the pencil to twist the strands tightly together. Hold the yarn at the center and slip the looped end off the doorknob, letting the yarn twist naturally onto itself.

15. Weave the twisted cord through the eyelet row at the top of the purse and knot the ends together to create a drawstring closure.

Make the Mattress

1. Fold the fabric square in half from side to side with right sides facing.

2. Trace the shape of the bottom of the purse onto the fabric to make a pattern for the bassinet mattress.

3. Cut along the outline keeping the two halves of the fabric together.

4. Sew the two pieces together with right sides facing about 1/4 inch from the edges, leaving about 2 inches open for turning and stuffing.

5. Turn the mattress pad right side out and stuff with a small amount of fiberfill. Sew the opening closed. Place the mattress pad in the bottom of the bassinet purse.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the leftover yarn to make a matching doll blanket sized to fit the bassinet.

• Add a 5- to 6-inch baby doll to complete the project as a special gift.