First thing you have to understand is that I am crazy about my dog. She is a wonderfully smart, beautiful, 3-year-old German Shepard. See, for a while I have been looking for something I could make her and that was cute. A lot of people tend to be frightened at first when they see her, and I thought something cute would help make her more approachable. But she’s too big for a sweater (and we live in Maryland where it is never that cold). My husband refuses to dress her in anything girly, so no bright collar with flowers. And then the idea for this pattern hit me…
See we live in a pretty urban area, and the law at our condo is to pick up your pet’s waste. I, of course, always forget to bring poop bags when we go for walks. And I thought, if Fayette had a purse, we would always have poop bags.
The matching leash is made with Crochet Nylon because it is very strong and durable if it gets wet. I am happy to report that this leash has been strong enough to take on my hyperactive 65lb puppy. I used Tunisian crochet for the leash, but if you want, the leash can always be made with sc instead. Lastly, decorating the leash and purse is half the fun, so go ahead and be creative!
- J & P Coats Crochet Nylon, 150 yards (plenty for a long leash and purse), Color #51
- H (5mm) hook (no need for an afghan hook- a regular hook will work, because the leash is so narrow)
- 3 yards of 7/8” white ribbon
- One metal latch (I stole mine from an old leash)
- Hot glue gun
- Embroidery cotton floss, Dark Rose, 6 yards
- Strong big needle
- One small button
- Decorations for purse
US pattern notations used
Ch = chain
YO = yarn over
Sc = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
TSS = Tunisian simple stitch: skip first vertical bar, *insert hook under next vertical bar, YO, pull up loop*, repeat * to *. For more information, see the tutorial [1] in our April/May ’05 issue.
Leash
Ch 5.
Row 1: (forward) insert hook in 2nd ch, YO, pull up loop, (insert hook in next ch, YO, pull up loop) in each ch across – 5 loops on hook.
(reverse) YO and pull thru one loop, *YO and pull through two loops*, repeat * to * across to end.
Row 2: (forward) TSS across (see Detail 1).
(reverse) YO and pull thru one loop, *YO and pull through two loops*, repeat * to * across to end.
Continue in Row 2 until piece measures 52” or however long you like your leash to be.
Last Row: Skip first vertical bar and * pull up loop in next vertical bar, YO and pull through two loops*, repeat * to * across to end.
Finish off by tucking in loose ends.
Finishing
(optional) Hot glue ribbon to back of leash. The more glue you use the stiffer the leash becomes. Tacking will be plenty to keep the ribbon from sliding around. - Whip stitch ribbon to leash. Ribbon adds support to leash. (see Detail 2)
- Fold over end 6” to make a loop for the handle. Tack in place with the hot glue gun. Sew thru both pieces several times to secure. Best to make a box with an “x” in it.
- Thread latch onto leash and fold over an inch and a half. Tack and sew as in step 3.
Purse
Ch 10.
Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 7 ch across, sc twice in end ch, working in bottom loops of chain, sc in next 8 ch, sc twice in bottom of beginning ch, join with sl st to first sc, do not turn. (20 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, sc around in back loop only. Join with sl st.
Round 3-6: Ch 1, sc around. Join with sl st.
Round 7 : Ch 1, in back loop only, sc in first 9 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in last st. Join with sl st. (22 sc)
Round 8-12: Ch 1, sc around. Join with sl st.
Round 13: Ch 1, in back loop only, sc in first 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in last st. Join with sl st. (24 sc)
Round 14-17: Ch 1, sc around. Join with sl st.
Row 18: Ch 1, sl st in first 5 sc.
Row 19 (forward) Into next 4 sc, insert hook, YO, and pull up one loop. - 5 loops on hook
(reverse) YO and pull through one loop, *YO and pull through two loops*, repeat *to* across to end.
Row 20: (forward) TSS across (see Detail 1, above)
(reverse) YO and pull through one loop, *YO and pull through two loops*, repeat *to* across to end.
Continue Row 20 until handle measures about 4”.
Row 34: Skip first vertical bar and *pull up loop in next vertical bar, YO pull through two loops*, repeat *to* across to end. Ch 1, turn.
Row 35: Sc in first stitch and each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. (5 sc)
Row 36: Sc in first sc, ch 3, sc in last sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 37: Sc in first sc, (sc in ch-3 space) 3 times, sc in last sc. Ch 1, turn. (Buttonhole made)
Row 38: Sl st in each sc across.
Finish off and tuck in loose ends.
Finishing
- Sew button to front of purse (see photo above for location).
- Decorate purse. I added a big crocheted flower pin for my puppy.
- Fill with bags or treats, and attach to leash. You're ready to go!
