How to Crochet Your Own Cozy Clutch

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The idea for this simple crochet clutch came to me one day when I was playing with leftover embroidery thread. What would happen if I crocheted these beautiful variegated blues all at once? I think the result is stunning. I adore the marled fabric and the classic style of the white slip stitch finish. The pearl cotton gives the clutch an elegant silky sheen that makes it a perfect match for both the dressiest of outfits and your favorite pair of jeans.

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At 7.5″ x 4″ in size, the clutch is sized to fit small necessities for a night out, including your favorite lipstick shade, keys, a credit card, and of course, your phone! The cotton thread that makes up the fabric of the clutch makes it easy to hold on to as you tuck it under your arm as well.

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The best part is that this clutch couldn’t be easier to make! It’s the perfect crochet project for beginners, since it allows you to practice two basic techniques: single crochet and the slip stitch. And the finished piece looks impressively elegant. Ready to get started? Here is what you’ll need for the pictured size of 7.5″ (19 m) x 4″ (10 m).

 

Materials

  • 360 yards (329m) of size 8 pearl cotton embroidery thread in each of three colors (120 yards each)
  • 135 yards (110m) of size 10 bamboo crochet thread in “ecru”
  • Size 0 (2.25mm) steel crochet hook

Thread used:

  • 2 balls Size 8 Valdani Pearl Cotton Embroidery Thread in JP12 Seaside (Muddy Monet Collection), 73 yds (67m), 0.35 oz (10g), 100% pearl cotton
  • 2 balls Size 8 Valdani Pearl Cotton Embroidery Thread in O578 Primitive Blue, 73 yds (67m), 0.35 oz (10g), 100% pearl cotton
  • 2 balls size 8 Valdani Pearl Cotton Embroidery Thread in JP11 Heavenly Hue (Muddy Monet Collection), 73 yds (67m), 0.35 oz (10g), 100% pearl cotton
  • 1 ball size 10 Aunt Lydia’s Bamboo Crochet Thread in Ecru, 300 yds (274.3m), 2 oz, (57g), 100% Rayon from Bamboo

 

Abbreviations

  • Ch= chain
  • Sc= single crochet
  • St(s)= stitch(es)

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Pattern

 

Foundation Row: Ch 51, working with four strands at the same time.

 

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain across (50sts), ch 1 and turn.

 

Row 2: Sc across sts, ch1 and turn.

 

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 11″ from the beginning.

 

Fasten off by pulling all four strands through last Sc and weave in ends to finish.

 

To change colors, I recommend overlapping the end of one ball with the beginning of another by 2″ for a few stitches. Work double thick for that color strand only (five strands total), until you have only four strands again. Then clip any ends required. Do this with only one strand at a time.

 

To finish, block crochet piece in clutch shape by folding up 3.5″ (trying to make it an even number of rows) at one end of the rectangle. Leave a small space above what will be the crochet pocket (about four rows) before you fold the top down. The top of the fold should be about 3/4″ from the bottom of the clutch.

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How to Add Decorative Seaming

After the blocked crochet piece is dry, measure out five strands of ecru thread that are each 3 yards long to make the decorative seaming. Beginning at the bottom right hand corner of the clutch, crocheting with five strands at a time, you will use an over-sized slip stitch to join and seam the side of the clutch and decorate around the flap. First, orient the clutch so the fold is facing away from you.

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Bring the hook through both pieces of the fabric at the outer most edge (1) and make a large slip stitch, covering two rows at a time (2). Keep extra slack in the slip stitches so they don’t pucker the fabric. After you finish joining one side of the pocket, continue to slip stitch up the single layer of the front flap of the clutch, making sure the slip stitch covers two rows at a time. Across the top of the clutch flap, have the slip stitches cover two stitches at a time. Next, continue down the other side of the clutch flap until you hit the fold. When you get to the fold, slip stitch through both layers again to join the sides and finish creating the pocket of the clutch. The under side of the flap and the inside of the pocket fold will have a single row of stitches from the slip stitch on the front (3). Weave in and trim all ends (4).

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Enjoy your nights on the town with this beauty! Or save it as a handmade gift for someone’s birthday, the holidays, or Mother’s Day.

SOURCE:http://www.marthastewart.com/1504279/how-to-crochet-cozy-clutch