NOTES:
GAUGE: 10 hdc = 4 in. (10 cm) before felting with 2 strands of A held tog. EXACT GAUGE IS NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THIS PROJECT.
FRONT
With 2 strands of A held tog, ch 5; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), work 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3 – 12 dc.
Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc here and throughout), hdc in same space as join, 2 hdc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 – 24 hdc.
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 – 36 hdc.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2.
Rnd 5: Ch 2, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 – 48 hdc.
Rnd 6: Ch 2, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2.
Rnd 7: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 – 60 hdc.
Rnd 8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2.
Rnd 9: Ch 2, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 – 72 hdc.
Rnd 10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2.
Rnd 11: Ch 2, hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, *hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-2 – 84 hdc.
Fasten off.
BACK
Work same as Front.
ROSE RUFFLE
With 1 strand of B, ch 161.
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as 2 hdc), hdc in each ch across – 160 hdc.
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc here and throughout), turn, 3 hdc in first st, 4 hdc in each hdc across – 640 hdc.
Row 3: Ch 2, turn, hdc in first st, 2 dc in each hdc across – 1280 hdc.
Fasten off.
Row 4: Turn, join 1 strand of A in first st, ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Arrange Ruffle into a spiral on Front. With tail, sew Ruffle to Front, ending about 5 rnds inside outer edge of bag.
FINISHING
Place WS of Front and Back tog. Join one strand of A in any stitch along outside edge.
Rnd 1: Working through both thicknesses, sc evenly around outside edges to join; leave 29 sts unseamed for top opening. Fasten off.
Handle (make 2)
With 2 strands of A held tog, ch 57.
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as 2 hdc), hdc in each ch to last ch, 3 hdc in last ch; working in free loops along opposite side of ch, hdc in each ch to last ch, 2 hdc in last ch. Fasten off.
Sew ends of each Handle to Front and Back at top opening, 2 rnds below top edge of bag. Weave in ends.
FELTING
Note: Place Handbag into a mesh laundry bag.
Wash by machine on a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with detergent and several pieces of clothing to agitate. Pull into shape, reshaping Rose Ruffle as necessary.
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