This crocheted make-up bag makes the perfect Christmas gift for a mum, daughter, or friend, though we won't tell if you decide to keep it for yourself! With a lining and zipper fastening, it's a sturdy bag for storing your make-up essentials, but the lovely two-tone crochet design means it won't look out of place on the dressing table.
How to crochet a cosmetics purse by Emma Friedlander-Collins
As much as I like to think of myself as an elegant Scandi-style minimalist, I just can’t help myself when it comes to sparkly things! On rare occasions when my husband and I do get away for a night, the sparkle and stars of this cosmetics purse make me feel super glam when I’m digging around for my liquid liner and red lipstick.
Yarn
Bergere de France Galaxie (super bulky weight; 80% acrylic, 18% wool, 2% polyester; 38yds/35m per 1¾oz/50g ball)
1 ball of 251701 Sirius (A)
2 balls of 25139 Aphelie (B)
Hooks and Notions
US L/11 (8mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Approx. 10½in x 18½in (26.5cm x 47cm) piece of lining fabric
8in (20cm) zipper
Sewing needle and matching thread
Silver embroidery floss for securing the tassel
Gauge
10 sts and 10 rows to 4in (10cm) measured over single crochet
Finished Size
10in (25cm) wide x 9in (23cm) deep
For the Purse
Using yarn A and US L/11 (8mm) hook, make 22ch.
Round 1: 1sc in second ch from hook (missed ch does not count as st), 1sc in next 19 ch, 3sc in end ch. Working up the other side of the ch, 1sc in next 19 ch, 2sc in end ch, sl st in fi rst sc to join. (44 sts)
Rounds 2–9: 1ch (does not count as st throughout), 1sc in each st around, sl st in first sc to join.
Round 10: Change to yarn B. 1ch, *[1sc, 1ch, 1sc] in next st, sk 1 st; rep from * to end, sl st in fi rst sc to join.
Rounds 11–23: 1ch, [1sc, 1ch, 1sc] in each ch-sp to end, sl st in fi rst sc to join.
Round 24: Change to yarn A. 1ch, *1sc in first 2 sts, sk 1 st; rep from * to end, sl st in first sc to join.
Fasten off.
Making Up and Finishing
Weave in all loose ends and gently block to measurements.
Sew the bottom edge closed. To square off the corners, turn the purse inside out, fold over each bottom corner approx. 1¼in (3cm) and baste the corner point to the bottom seam. Turn right side out again.
Sew the sides of the lining fabric together and square off the bottom corners. Hem the top edge and hand sew the lining into the purse. Insert the zipper, hand-stitching it into place.
Fold several strands of yarn A to make a chunky tassel (see page 120). Wrap the silver embroidery floss around the folded end of the tassel, and use the thread to secure it to the zipper-pull.