Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag/Purse Free Pattern

Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag/Purse Free Pattern

Hi everyone, today I am bringing to you this crochet vintage clutch bag/purse (free pattern). This crochet project is perfect for beginners, and it so easy to make too! It is part of my Vintage Crochet Series. I hope you enjoy this new tutorial!

The video tutorial for this project can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIuwcG15gP0

Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag/Purse Free Pattern: The Inspiration

This crochet purse is inspired by the 1970s, and it is part of my Vintage Crochet Series. Indeed, the simple yet elegant shape of this clutch bag is inspired by times gone by. I also crocheted this clutch bag with vintage yarn that I purchase in bulk last year. The Adrienne Vintage Shawl I crocheted a few months ago is also made with this yarn. So both this new vintage clutch bag design and the Adrienne Shawl match perfectly!

This yarn is called Border Tricel Nylon yarn, also known as Double Crepe yarn. It was made by a British brand called Norland Wools in Newcastle Upon Tyne, where I live! Sadly this company does not exist anymore. My research showed it was in operation during the 1970s and 1980s, selling goods including local yarns.

Not a lot of information is written on the yarn packet. However, I can identify it as being a light 3/DK weight yarn. This yarn can easily be substituted with any light 3/DK weight yarn of your preference, however I will be listing a few different yarns you can use in lieu of this fabulously beautiful vintage yarn.

In lieu of this yarn, you could use Bernat Softee Baby yarn in shade Baby Pink. This is also a light 3/DK yarn, and I love it so much!

Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag/Purse Free Pattern: A Feminine Project

I love crocheting feminine projects. The Adrienne Shawl (linked above) was crocheted with this very same yarn. It is also part of my Vintage Crochet Series.

The Classic Man Scarf from last year features this very elegant textured. I love the Griddle stitch, as it is so easy and relaxing to crochet. It is perfect for many different designs too.

Connecting with you

I love connecting with my Crochet Community through my blog and Social Media. You can find me on Youtube, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok!

Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag/Purse: The Pattern

You can purchase the ad free, large print, PDF pattern from my Etsy store: Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag PDF Pattern

You can purchase the ad free, large print, PDF pattern from my Ravelry store: Crochet Vintage Clutch Bag PDF Pattern

Level: Easy

Notes

I will be using US terms (British terms in brackets).

I used a vintage yarn to crochet this vintage shawl. This yarn is called “Border Tricel Nylon Double Crepe” yarn and was a yarn made in the 1970s (England). This yarn is no longer available, however you can very easily substitute it with any light 3/DK weight yarn of your preference. I have written down in the materials section different options you can use for this shawl.

Materials

2 skeins of Drops Muskat in shade Desert Pink (or any other light 3/DK 100% cotton yarn)

A 4 mm crochet hook

Tapestry needle

A pair of scissors

1 pearl decorative ornament (purchased from Amazon)

Darning thread and needle

Sewing pins (optional)

Abbreviations

Ch: chain

Sk: skip

Sp: space

Sl st: Slip stitch

SC: Single Crochet (UK Double Crochet)

DC: Double Crochet (UK Treble Crochet)

EOR: End of row/end of round

Gauge

4” (10 cm): 16 stitches

4” (10 cm): 14 rows

Size of clutch bag

5” (12,5 cm) x 8” (20 cm)

Pattern begins here

Create rectangle that will be the front and back panels once folded and stitched

Make a slip knot, ch 32.

1: SC in 4^th ch from hook (first ch 3 counts as a DC), [DC into next ch, SC into next stitch] until eor.

2: Ch 3 (=DC), turn your work, SC into next stitch, [DC into next stitch, SC into next stitch] until eor.

3-until project measures 12,5” (31,5 cm): Repeat row 2.

Do not fasten off.

Single Crochet Edging

Place Single Crochets all around your project as seen in the photograph below. Make sure you place Single Crochets evenly all around the 4 sides of this rectangle (there is no specific number of Single Crochets you need for this part).

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing in seam.

Create envelope shape (including sewing seams on each side)

Fold this little part into 3 parts as seen in photo below (this is the inside of the bag; once all the sewing is done, you will be turning the purse inside out so that the right side will be facing after the stitching is completed):

The top layer will be the envelope flap and opening, so we will only be sewing the two sides for now (the inside fold will be the bottom of the envelope).

With tapestry needle and loose end, sew the first side using the mattress stitch (or your preferred stitch). Now fasten off and tidy up all loose ends.

Now with tapestry needle and piece of yarn (or loose end), sew the second side of the envelope in using the same method as the first side.

Fasten off, tidy up all loose ends. Turn project around so that right side is facing.

Now place your little pearl ornament on the front of the envelope, making sure it is centered (see photograph on page 1). With darning needle and thread, sew the button onto the front flap of this envelope.