Mother’s Day is only two weeks away; have you finished your gifts yet? If Mom likes jungle-themed accessories, here’s a quick and easy gift for her. Use a black and white ombre yarn, and it will determine the zebra stripe pattern for you. It only takes about 3 hours to crochet this adorable zebra coin purse. It’s large enough to hold money, credit card, and keys but small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. You could even attach a chain to the purse frame to make it a neck wallet.
Zebra Coin Purse Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn
65 yards variegated black & white
10 yards black
Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle
Sew-on wiggle eyes 18 mm
4.33” purse frame
Black thread & needle
Purse measures approximately 6.5” x 4.33”.
Gauge = 5 sc = 1”
Directions:
Rnd 1: With black yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 10 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.
Rnd 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat around (15 sc).
Rnd 3: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat around (20 sc).
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, * repeat around (25 sc).
Rnd 5: Sc in each st. Join with sl st. Fasten off black yarn.
Rnd 6: Attach black/white variegated yarn, sc in each st. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds through Rnd 17.
Rnd 7: *Sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (30 sc).
Rnds 8-11: Sc in each st.
Rnd 12: *Sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).
Rnds 13-18: Sc in each st. At the end of Rnd 18, join with sl st in the same st as the last sc. At this point, zebra should measure 4.25” when laying flat.
(Zebra should be wide enough to reach purse frame on each side.)
Split Sides:
Row 19: Ch 1, turn, sk sl st, dec, sc in next 16 sts. Leave remaining 18 sts unworked (17 sc).
Row 20: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc across (16 sc).
Rows 21-26: Repeat Row 20 (10 sc at end of Row 26). Fasten off.
Other side:
Row 19: Return to unworked sts of Rnd 18 and attach variegated yarn. Ch 1, dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 16 sts (17 sc).
Row 20: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc across (16 sc).
Rows 21-26: Repeat Row 20 (10 sc at end of Row 26). Fasten off.
Open up frame. Using black thread and needle, sew one size of zebra (Rows 19-26) to one side of frame.
Repeat for other side of purse frame.
EARS: (Make 2)
Rnd 1: With black yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout ears.
Rnd 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat twice (9 sc).
Rnd 3: Sc in each st.
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat twice (12 sc).
Rnds 5-8: Sc in each st.
Rnd 9: *Sc in next 2 sts, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat twice (9 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off yarn. Sew ears to top of Zebra head just below the purse frame.
Sew 18-mm eyes to Row 19.
Cut 4 pieces of yarn 3″ long. Fold each strand in half, insert hook into top head between ears, pull loops through, then pull ends through loop. Repeat 3 times.
Last month the Getty Museum challenged people to recreate famous works of art. The results were sometimes amazing, sometimes hysterical. The Getty Challenge
I decided to try my own recreation using crochet. Turns out, one of the biggest challenges was finding a famous painting that looked easy enough to duplicate in yarn but still appealed to me visually. I wanted something colorful to cheer me up on these dreary days. Settling on one of Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings, I rummaged through my yarn stash to find the appropriate colors.
This pattern was just for fun and has not been tested, so feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Finished panel measures approximately 21” tall by 15” wide.
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn:
4 oz. blue
1.5 oz. lavender
2 oz. green
2 oz. yellow
2 oz. gold
½ oz. brown
¼ oz. light green
½ oz. saffron
1 oz. dark green
5 yards blue denim
5 yards pumpkin
Crochet hook size G (4.0 mm)
Directions:
Canvas:
Row 1: With lavender yarn, ch 59, hdc in second ch from hook and each remaining ch (58 hdc). .
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st.
Row 11: (wrong side) Ch 1, turn, 55 hdc in lavender, 3 hdc in blue.
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, 4 hdc in blue, 21 hdc in lavender, 13 hdc in green, 20 hdc in lavender.
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in lavender, 15 hdc in green, 17 hdc in lavender, 7 hdc in blue.
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, 14 hdc in blue, 8 hdc in lavender, 18 hdc in green, 18 hdc in lavender.
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, 17 hdc in lavender, 20 hdc in green, 21 hdc in blue.
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 22 hdc in green, 16 hdc in blue.
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, 16 hdc in blue, 22 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 19: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 19 hdc in blue.
Row 20: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 21: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 19 hdc in blue.
Row 22: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 23: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 19 hdc in blue.
Row 24: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 25: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 23 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 26: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 22 hdc in green, 16 hdc in blue.
Row 27: Ch 1, turn, 17 hdc in blue, 20 hdc in green, 21 hdc in blue.
Row 28: Ch 1, turn, 21 hdc in blue, 19 hdc in green, 18 hdc in blue.
Row 29: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 17 hdc in green, 22 hdc in blue.
Row 30: Ch 1, turn, 23 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 31: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 23 hdc in blue.
Row 32: Ch 1, turn, 23 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 33: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 23 hdc in blue.
Row 34: Ch 1, turn, 23 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Rows 35-60: Ch 1, turn, hdc blue in each st. Fasten off at end of Row 60.
Sunflower #1:
Rnd 1: With brown, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off.
Rnd 3: With yellow, ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Pick up brown, ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Fasten off brown. (24 sc).
Rnd 5: With gold, ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (30 sc).
Rnd 6: Pick up yellow, ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in 3rd ch, dc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st next sc,* repeat around. Repeat this round with sl sts in skipped sts of previous rnd so you have 2 layers of petals. Fasten off yellow leaving 12” length for sewing.
Rnd 8: Attach dark green yarn in sl st between petals at back of Rnd 7. *Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in next 2 ch, sl st between next petals,* repeat 3 times. (Ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in next 2 ch, tr in next 2 ch) twice, repeat * to * twice.
Stem: Ch 18, hdc in 2nd ch and each remaining ch. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Sunflower #2:
Rnd 1: With blue, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: With gold, ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off gold. (18 sc)
Attach brown yarn and alternate between brown and gold for Rnds 4-8. This should be a random pattern, so precision with colors doesn’t count here.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (24 sc).
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (30 sc).
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (42 sc).
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (48 sc). End on a gold st and fasten off brown. Join with sl st.
Rnd 9: *Ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, hdc in 6th ch, sc in 7th ch, sl st in next st (do not sk sc on Rnd 8),* repeat around. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Sunflower #3:
Rnd 1: With green, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next ch, 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st. (8 sc).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next st, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts. Join with sl st. (14 sc). Fasten off green.
Rnd 3: Join saffron yarn, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* 3 times, sc in next st, * to * 2 times. (20 sc).
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (25 sc).
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (30 sc).
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).
Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (42 sc).
Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (48 sc).
Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (54 sc).
Rnd 10: *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (60 sc). Fasten off saffron.
Leaves: Attach dark green in next st, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, sk next sc, sl st next sc,* repeat twice. Fasten off dark green.
Sk 18 sc on Rnd 10, *sl st next st, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in 3rd ch, dc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st next 2 sc, *repeat 6 times. Sl st next st, sc in BLO of next 5 sts, (ch 1, turn, sc in each st) for 10 rows. (Ch 1, turn, dec, sc in remaining sts) repeat until 1 sc remains. Fasten off.
Sunflower #4:
Rnd 1: With brown, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (24 sc).
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. Join with sl st. (30 sc).
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. Join with sl st. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. Join with sl st. (42 sc).
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. (48 sc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 9: Ch 1, with yellow yarn, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (54 sc).
Rnd 10: *Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, sl st in next st, sk next sc on Rnd 9,* repeat around. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Behind yellow petals, attach gold yarn in skipped sc. *Ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in last ch, sl st in next skipped sc,* repeat around. Ch 20 for stem, hdc in 2nd ch and remaining ch. Sl st in joining st. Fasten off.
Sunflower #5:
Rnd 1: With green, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: With yellow yarn, ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: In FLO, *ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat 5 times (6 petals). Fasten off yellow.
Rnd 4: With pale green yarn working in BLO of Rnd 2, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (18 sc)
Rnd 5: In FLO, *ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat around (9 petals).
Rnd 6: Working in BLO of Rnd 4, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (24 sc)
Rnd 7: In FLO, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat around (12 petals).
Rnd 8: Working in BLO of Rnd 6, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (30 sc)
Rnd 9: In FLO, *ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 2 ch, hdc in 2 ch, dc in last ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat around (15 petals). Fasten off light green.
Rnds 5, 7, 9: Sl st around edges of each petal with yellow.
Stem: Attach gold in any skipped st of Rnd 8, ch 20, hdc in 2nd ch and all remaining ch. Sl st in joining st of Rnd 8.
Sunflower #6:
Row 1: With dark green, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch and each remaining ch (4 sc).
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, inc in first st, sc across, inc in last st. (6 sc).
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, inc in first st, sc across, inc in last st. (8 sc).
Row 4: Turn, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, sc in next 8 sc of Row 3, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch and next 3 ch. Sc down side, across bottom, and up other side. Join with sl st. Fold piece in half and mark center st of Row 4.
Attach dark green, ch 3, 7 dc in same st. Sk 1 st, sl st in next st. Attach gold at center top, sl st around all edges. Join. Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch and next 10 ch for stem.
Leaves under Flower #2: (Make 2)
Row 1: With dark green, ch 16, sc in 2nd ch, sc in next 3 ch, hdc in next 7 ch, sc in last 4 ch.
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, in BLO, sc in 4 sts, hdc in 7 sts, sc in 4 sts. At end of Row 5, turn to work across side edge with 1 sc in each row end. Turn to work across bottom in remaining loops of starting ch, sc in 4 ch, hdc in 7 ch, sc in 4 ch.
Leaf above Flower #3:
Row 1: With dark green, ch 24, sc in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, hdc in next 4 ch, dc in next 7 ch, hdc in next 4 ch, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in 3 ch, hdc in 4 ch, dc in 7 ch, hdc in 4 ch, sc in 4 ch.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in 4 sts, hdc in 4 sts, dc in 7 sts, hdc in 4 sts, sc in 4 sts, (ch 4, sl st in 2nd and 3rd ch, sc in last ch), sc in 4 sts, hdc in 4 sts, dc in 7 sts, hdc in 4 sts, sc in 4 sts. Fasten off.
Row 3: Do not turn. Count 12 sts from beg of Row 2. In BLO, attach yarn in 12th st. Ch 1, hdc in same st, hdc in next 10 sts, ch 4, sl st in 3 ch, sc in next st, sl st in next st. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Sew flowers and leaves to canvas using photo as guide for placement. Block flowers and leavings, again using photo to block petals in the right direction. Use double strand of yellow and straight st to embroider a line between purple and blue portions of canvas. Use single strand of gold to outline right side of vase and leaves of flower #3. Use double strand of pumpkin yarn to outline flower #3 and single strand to outline leaves of flower #2 and stem of flower #1. Use saffron to outline stems of flowers #4 and #5.
This week has been a busy one for me preparing the launch of a new section of my store – fiber-themed t-shirts and accessories. It’s always exciting to start a new venture, but it can be intimidating, too. My Fingers Fly will now offer t-shirts, coffee cups, tote bags, and more with silly crochet characters. Use code FRIENDS&FAMILY for 15% off t-shirts.
Next week will be National Police Week (May 13 to May 19, 2019). One of my favorite baby patterns is the Police Baby Sweater with a donut-shaped baby rattle. The sweater is crocheted in baby weight yarn and can be personalized with any color uniform you choose.
There’s also still time to crochet a gift for mom. The Lacy Infinity Scarf works up quickly in one evening and can be made with any yarn you have in your stash.
One of the questions that I see over and over in the crochet groups on Facebook is, “Can I take my crochet hooks on a plane?” Personally, I have never had a problem with my hooks, and I carry a small nail clipper rather than scissors just to be safe. According to the TSA website, crochet hooks and knitting needles are allowed.
Scissors are allowed, but they must be less than 4″.
Airline travel involves lots of down time, so I always pack a small project in my carry-on to keep me occupied on long flights and layovers. There’s nothing more satisfying than turning down time into productive time. Enjoy your summer vacation and happy crocheting!
To celebrate Month of the Military Child, I am giving away a copy of Military Baby Sweaters Kindle book. Like the post and tag a friend by 4/28/2019 to be entered. See my Instagram for details. http://instagram.com/p/Bwr1M6fBfAX/
My most popular pattern last Mother’s Day was the Poodle Eyeglass Holder. This free pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry with instructions for crochet or to make on the Addi King knitting machine. The pattern is also available translated to Dutch by Jeannette Kemp – Poedel Brilhouder. It’s a great Mother’s Day gift, and it also works well for those of you who do spring craft shows. Several other eyeglass holders are also available including elephant, tiger, lamb, and clown. Post a photo of your poodle to Instagram and tag @myfingersfly. I’d love to see them all!
Another alternative for a Mother’s Day gift is poetry. If Mom loves the greeting cards you buy her every year and saves them in a scrapbook, she’ll flip over this poetry book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095818457
