Via-Mala Rectangle Purse

Size: 8.5" x 6" x 1.5"

yarn: 2 balls GGH Via Mala

needles: US 9
and crochet hooks size F and I

abbreviations

k = knit
p = purl
beg = beginning
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

Cute little rectangle purse made by knitting two rectangles, crochet along the bottom and edges, with a thick crochet strap. A great first project for a knitter who wants to start crocheting more.

INSTRUCTIONS

Knitted rectangles, Make two
- with US 9 needles, cast on 26 sts
- row 1: k4, p1, k1, p1, k5, p2, k5, p1, k1, p1, k4
- row 2: p4, k1, p1, k1, p5, k2, p5, k1, p1, k1, p4
- row 3: k5, p1, k6, p2, k6, p1, k5
- row 4: p5. k1, p6, k2, p6, k1, p5
- row 5: k4, p1, k1, p1, k12, p1, k1, p1, k4
- row 6: p4, k1, p1, k1, p12, k1, p1, k1, p4
- row 7: k5, p1, k14, p1, k5
- row 8: p5. k1, p14, k1, p5

- repeat above 8 rows one more time, then work rows 1 through 4 once
- bind off, cut yarn

Crochet along edges of rectangle
- with I crochet hook and right side of the work facing you, join yarn
to right hand corner of cast on edge, ch 1, work 25 sc along edge, ch 1, turn
- work 5 more rows of sc 
- ch 1, rotate piece clockwise, work 16 sc along short edge, ch 1,
rotate again, work 26 sc along top, turn again, work 16 sc along
bottom edge, join to beg.

Make Strap
- for strap, ch 142, starting at 2nd ch from end, sc along to beg, ch 1, turn
- work 2 more rows of sc
- join strap end to end (forming a loop, being careful not to twist strap) join with sl st across the three rows of sc, ch 1, sc along the chain edge to beg, end

Join strap to rectangles
- place one rectangle face down and lay strap along the edge. * you are going to start at the corner OPPOSITE the corner labeled "strap"-->

* so pick up the two pieces and the right side of the work will now be facing you

- with I crochet hook and Via Mala yarn, join corner through both the rectangle and the strap, ch 1

- work sl st around --->

- for the other side of the bag, line up the rectangle with corresponding stitches on the strap before joining together

Make "hook" closure

- with F crochet hook, chain 7, join to form ring, sew to inside of one side of the bag

- for the other side, with F crochet hook, chain 10, sc along chain to beg, join to inside of bag on the other side (this piece will be curly)