How to Crochet a Rag Purse

Recycle old clothing into beautiful rag purses.

Recycling T-shirt material for making items like rag rugs, rag grocery bags and rag purses is a smart choice for anyone who cares about the earth. Reusing these materials keeps them out of the trash dump, and gives the items a new purpose. Each purse costs $3 or less if the strap material and felt liner is recycled. Making a crochet rag purse is simple, and anyone is capable of completing the project. Create a bunch of these simple purses for yourself, as gifts or sell them at craft shows.

Things You'll Need

• Size J crochet hook
• T-shirt material cut into 1/4-inch strips
• Ruler
• Scissors
• 20-by 8-inch piece of felt that matches the yarn
• 1/2 inch-wide purse strap material that matches the yarn
• Sewing needle
• Thread that matches the yarn
• 8-inch piece of self adhesive hook and loop tape

Instructions

Basic Crochet Stitches

1. Cast on the yarn by wrapping the yarn around the tip of the crochet hook, catching the yarn facing the skein and pulling it through the loop around the crochet hook.

2. Make a chain stitch by catching the yarn with the hook on the side facing the skein. Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook, and the stitch is done.

3. Create a treble crochet by wrapping the yarn around the crochet hook, and sliding the hook through the stitch where you want the new treble crochet stitch. Wrap the yarn around the tip of the hook, and pull it through the stitch. There are three loops on the crochet hook now. Wrap the yarn around the tip of the needle, and pull it through two loops. Wrap the yarn around the tip again and pull it through two stitches, and repeat the procedure one more time. This completes the stitch.

Crocheting The Purse

1. Cast on the yarn, and make 38 chain stitches. This makes the first row. Measure the row. If it is eight inches long, move on to the next step. If it is longer, remove stitches until you reach eight inches. If it is shorter, add more stitches until you reach eight inches.

2. Make a triple crochet stitch into the first stitch by the crochet hook, and make a treble crochet into each single crochet all the way back to the beginning of the first row. This completes the second row. Make three chain stitches, and treble crochet into the first stitch next to the hook. Continue making treble crochets across the row. Continue following this pattern until the purse is 19 1/2 inches long.

3. Cut the yarn on the side facing the skein of yarn, so there is four inches of thread left hanging. Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. Weave the leftover four inches of yarn back and forth through the stitches, so it disappears. Cut off any excess yarn. Look over the crocheted rectangle, and weave in any hanging threads.

Finishing The Purse

1. Lay the crocheted rectangle on a flat surface, and center the felt on top of the crochet. Attach the felt in place using stick pins, and then sew the felt to the crocheted piece. The felt forms the lining of the purse.

2. Remove the stick pins. Lay the crocheted piece on the flat surface, so the felt side faces up. Turn the piece, so one of the eight inch ends faces you. Fold the side facing you up towards the top of the crocheted piece eight inches.

3. Cut the strap material the length you want the purse strap. For a long strap, cut it 36 inches. For a short strap, cut it 20 inches. Place the ends of the strap between the part you just folded with one side of the strap lining up on the left side, and the other side of the strap lining up on the right side.

4. Pin the folded end in place with the stick pins. Sew a straight line up the left side and right side of the crocheted piece, so it forms the purse.

5. Attach one side of the self adhesive hook and loop tape to the top edge of the purse. Fold the top four inches of the purse down over the opening, and attach the other side of the hook and loop tape to the lower section of the purse. This makes the flap that closes on top of the bag. Sew the hook and loop tape together if you want. The adhesive backing is strong, so this is optional. Once this step is complete, the purse is done.

References

• Fave Crafts: Crochet Envelope Purse
• My Recycled Bags: Crocheted Denim Rag Bag
• Woolcrafting: Learn Basic Crochet Stitches! Then Get Creative!