Crochet a purse with a lining and a zipper

 I've never seen a purse that has been crocheted that has a zipper and a lining, so maybe I'll be starting a new trend with this tutorial...!?

It is SO EASY to add a lining and a zipper!!

Materials Needed: 
Sharp Crochet Hook
Crochet Thread (I used pink Red Heart size 10)
Zipper
Lining fabric (I used a scrap piece of pink cotton fabric)
Yarn (I used three shades of pink by Red Heart Super Saver... Yes, Red Heart isn't soft, but it had the colors I was looking for. Plus, it is a purse, not a blanket, so softness isn't as important).
Sewing machine/thread

Step 1
Cut out and sew the lining.
-Cut two pieces. The width of the fabric be 1/2" larger than the length of the zipper. My zipper was 9 inches, so I cut my fabric to be 9.5" wide. Depth- 8"
-Sew around the three sides of the lining leaving 1/2" seam allowance. Then zig-zag over the raw edges. You don't need to sew the top.

Step 2
Crochet the base layer. 
-Line up and hold the edge of the fabric and the edge of the zipper together. 
-Use the Sharp Crochet Hook and crochet thread to crochet through both the fabric and the zipper lining. Space your stitches 1/4" apart and about 1/4" deep. "Eyeballing" it is acceptable, but if you are uneasy about it, feel free to premark with a pencil.
-The Sharp Crochet Hook will allow you to crochet right through both layers without prepoking holes. It will not snag the lining or the fabric. You can crochet right through it in one easy step.
-For the excess zipper lining, fold under.
-If you are not using a zipper, just use the Sharp Crochet Hook to crochet around the top edge of the purse lining fabric. 

 -When you have crocheted all around, end the round with a slip stitch into the first stitch, tie off, and cut.

-Ta-dah!

Step 3
Crochet the purse using the yarn of your choice.
-Use the base layer to crochet into with a normal crochet hook.
-It is fun because you can use any pattern (even loose and lacy patterns) and any yarn. Because you have a lining and a zipper, you don't have to worry about your items falling out of loose stitch spacing or out of the top if it tips over.

Step 4
Do a row of single crochet stitches around the base layer stitches.  
-This gives it a more "finished" look. 
-Optional: crochet straps to the sides. I opted not to on this one because I want it to fit inside a larger purse I'm working on. 

Step 5
All done!! See, wasn't that easy!?

 

I would love for you to pin this tutorial on Pinterest!

 

Thank you for reading. If you need clarification, or if something doesn't make sense, please let me know- jessica@sharpcrochethook.com