Free Vintage Crochet pattern 1940s Handbag

 

BIG Crocheted handbags in the 1940s and, guess what, accessories from this period come back into style.

This handbag was made ​​with a variety of thicknesses of thread or fingering or sport weight yarn (or with two strands of yarn held together). The final size will depend depend on the thickness of thread or yarn. Whether you prefer a small or large bag is up to you.

Materials Required:

Original directions called for Jack Frost brand Cordet - (5) 75-yd. tubes, interchangeable with Soutache or Kordette, using a size 5 white crochet hook.

As outlined above, choose your own thread or yarn, according to the approximate size you want your finished bag to be. Change size of hook according to thread or yarn weight used.

CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS
ch . . . chain
s c . . Single Crochet
d c . . Double Crochet
st . . . Stitch
sts . . Stitches
sl st .. Slip Stitch

Ch 4, join with a sl st.
Row 1: Ch 3, work 16 d c in ring, join with a sl st.
Row 2: Ch 3, work 2 d c in each st (32 d c in ring), join with a sl st.
Row 3: Ch 3, increase to 54 d c at even intervals around the row, join with a sl st.
Row 4: Ch 3, increase to 72 sts at even intervals around row, join with a sl st.
Row 5: Ch 3, work 1 d c in same st as ch 3, ch 2, 2 d c in same space, * skip 1 st, 1 d c around the post of the d c of previous row, skip 1 st, (2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c) in next st; repeat from * for 1 row ending with skip 1 st, 1 d c around the post of the d c of previous row, join with a sl st.
Rows 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10: Repeat row 5.
Rows 11, 12 and 13: Repeat row 5 having 3 d c, ch 2, 3 d c over the ch 2 of row below instead of 2 d c, ch 2, 2 d c.
Row 14: Repeat row 5 having 4 d c, ch 2, 4 d c over the ch 2 of row below.
Fold bag into shape.

GUSSET: Fold bag in half, then work gusset as follows: starting at lower edge (be sure to have a shell at base of fold) join last shell to first st of next shell, ch 1, turn.
Row 1: (4 d c, ch 2, 4 d c) in ch 2 of row below, ch 1, 1 s c in ch 2 of previous shell, ch 2, 1 s c in 2nd st of same shell, ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Work shell pattern in ch 2 of row below, ch 1, 1 s c in ch 2 of opposite shell, ch 2, 1 s c in 2nd st from hook, ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Work shell pattern in ch 2 of row below, ch 1, work 1 s c in 2nd st from last s c worked in that shell, ch 2, 1 s c in 2nd st of next shell, ch 1, turn. Continue working shell pattern from side to side in this manner until 8 shell patterns have been made in all, working 5 d c, ch 2, 5 d c in last shell. Work gusset on other side to correspond.

    Here's a closer look at the stitches used in making this handbag.

Note: Optional If you choose to, you could make a fabric lining for the inside of the purse. When purse pieces are crocheted, place one front or back piece on a piece of paper and trace around it to make a paper pattern as a guideline for cutting out the fabric liner shape. (Allow a bit extra around all edges for the seam.) Cut two liner pieces. With right sides together, sew around three sides, leaving top open. Fold top edge of liner under about 1/4 inch to wrong side, then fold under again. Sew along folded edge to hold this in place. When crocheted purse pieces are assembled, insert the fabric liner into the purse. Hand sew top edge of liner to the inside of the purse in such a manner that the stitching will not show from the right side of the purse.

How to crochet around post: Some of the instructions in this pattern say to "d c around the post of the d c of previous row". Here's a Diagram of crocheting around post.

Source : crochet.about.com

The pattern and the handbag photos are from Jack Frost Handbags printed by Gottlieb Bros. in 1945. (now copyright-expired)