These were inspired by my frustration at having to drag my large and
overflowing purse with me to the local variety store when all I needed
to take were my keys and a bit of money, but I had no pockets available
at the time. ;)
2 50g balls Bernat Club Classic (DK cotton / acrylic blend) in light
and dark colours (you won't use it all), and a small amount in a bright or
contrasting colour
hook in appropriate size to make a dense fabric
gauge is not crucial
Using one strand each of dark and light, chain 20, turn.
Ch 2 for first hdc (and ch2 for first hdc on every following row /
round). 1 hdc in each chain across, total 20 counting your first ch2.
1 hdc in each hdc across, being certain to hdc into the turning ch
from the previous row.
Repeat this last row twice more, but don't turn after the last row - 4
hdc rows in total.
Ch 2, then 3 hdc along short edge, 20 hdc along long edge, 4 hdc
around other short edge, 20 hdc along other long edge, slip st to join.
Drop light colour, add bright colour, and work 1 hdc in each hdc
around. When final hdc in the round is completed, drop bright, and add
light again, making sl st to join the round.
Continue working these rounds, working colours for the number of
rounds indicated below:
dark and light - 2 rounds
light and bright - 1 round
dark and light - 2 rounds
dark and bright - 1 round
dark and light - 2 rounds
light and bright - 1 rounds
Using dark and light for the rest of the purse, work *1 hdc, hdc2tog*
(hdc 2 together) around, sl st to join.
Work another round with no decreases.
Work *hdc in first hdc, ch1, skip next hdc* around, sl st to join.
Work *1 hdc in first hdc, 1 hdc in ch space* around, sl st to join,
break yarn and fasten ends.
Chain using multiple strands, or otherwise create a strap / handles of
the desired length, and thread it through the holes in the ch-1 round.
Fasten together.
You could work the hdc's through front loop only or back loop only to
vary the texture.
Vary the number of colours or the changes. Just ensure the fabric is
nice and dense, so nothing falls out, since this isn't lined.