Crochet Purse

Ok, so i've been meaning to write up this post for about a week, but i've been so involved in several practical projects that I didn't get around to it!
Last month my KAL (Knit A Long) project was this little knitted bag ...

The rib pattern gave it the feel of a 'retro' crochet bag, so with some encouragement from Meanyjar I set about transferring the design (in a way) into crochet. I decided to start small with a purse rather than a bag, just to see if the design in my head would work in reality, and here is the purse ...

Please excuse the colours (chosen by daughter, who immediately claimed the purse) - and the yarn, because it is a practice project, is the sort you get free in knitting magazines - it has its uses!
A full blown bag pattern will follow in the next week or two, but i'll post that pattern on Ravelry. In the meantime here is my purse pattern ...

Crochet Purse by Giddystuff
Written using UK terms and abbreviations)

You will need :-
3.5 mm crochet hook
Approx. 60g DK yarn, or 30g each of two colours.
Two buttons (12mm/15mm diameter)

Method:-
Foundation chain. Make 21 chain.

Base
Row 1. Work 1dc into 2nd chain from the hook, 1dc into each of the remaining chain. (20 stitches) Turn.
Row 2. 1ch, then work into 2nd dc, and then work into each of the remaining stitch. Turn. There are 20 stitches in each row of the base.
Repeat Row 2 six times, this gives you the base of your purse.

Sides
Make 1ch, dc into second stitch and continue along the row, add a stitch marker at this last stitch. Turn your work 90 degrees, and dc into each of the 'holes' from the side of the base of your work - you should make 8dc - don't be tempted to add any chain stitches when you turn, you are going to work up the sides of your base from now on. Add a stitch marker to the last dc you have made.
Now dc along the start edge of your base - you should have 20dc stitches, add a stitch marker to the final dc.
Turn your work 90 degrees again and make 8dc along the final side, working into the 'holes' along the row edges again. Add a stitch marker. These stitch markers mark out the corners of your purse so you can check that you haven't added any stitches anywhere and distorted the shape.
Join these four sides with a slip stitch into the original chain stitch at the start of the sides.
Basic row instructions - make 1ch, dc into second dc along row edge, and continiue along the 4 sides - 20dc, 8dc, 20dc, 8dc, slip stitch into the first chain to join the edge, turn work.
Repeat this row 23 times. If you want to do a colour change, change to the second colour after 16 repeats of this row pattern.
This makes the basic body of your purse.

Purse Flap
Ch1, 1dc into 2nd stitch along 'back' edge of purse, continue until you have produced 20 dc. This will form the flap of your purse.
Turn your work, ch1, then dc into the rest of the stitches in the row - 20 dc.
Repeat this row 9 times.
Now to make the buttonholes - Ch1, the work into 2nd stitch, 2dc, then make 3ch. Miss three dc stitches, then 8dc. Make another 3ch, miss three dc stitches and then dc until the end of the row. Turn work.
1ch, work into 2nd chain in row, then continue along the row, working dc into chain stitches from previous row too - 20dc. You will be able to see your buttonholes now!
Repeat the last row two more times, then fasten off.

Weave in any ends. 'Close' the purse shut, remember the sides will fold in, and mark where buttonholes are with a pin.
Sew on the buttons.

Please let me know if there are any glitches in the way I have written this pattern, it's the first time i've written up one of my crochet designs for others to use!

Remember this pattern is not for commercial use, but you may use it to make purses for personal use/gifts or to raise money for charity.