A Charity Purse to Crochet

The title "Charity Purse" suggests that it was intended to be sold at a charity bazaar. Bart Elwell has made it in one solid color and chose to use a chain instead of the "strings" that were suggested in the original pattern, a hidden snap closure under the flap, and finished the edges with a stitch reminiscent of beading. For the body of the purse, he used an interlocking block stitch of double crochets. His aim was to make the purse practical for today while retaining a vintage quality.

Finished Size: About 6 x 5 inches (15 x 13 cm)
Required Materials:

• Handy Hands Lizbeth, 100% cotton thread, size 20, 210 yards (192.0 m)/25 gram (0.8 oz) ball, 2 balls of #691 Mocha Brown Medium; www.hhtatting.com
• Crochet hook, steel, size 7 (1.5 mm)
• Fabric, lightweight woven cotton, ¼ yard (0.2 m), for lining; theclothmerchants.com
• Pellon interfacing, lightweight or medium weight, ¼ (0.2 m), for interlining; theclothmerchants.com
• Magnetic snap or hook closure
• Chain, fine or medium weight, for handle, 24 inches (61.0 cm); available at jewelry supply stores

Gauge: 26 sts and 21 rows = 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Originally Published: PieceWork Sept/Oct 2013