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Behind the Scenes: Crochet Instagram Purse


| Original: June 04, 2018

UPDATE (06/15/2018): The Instagram Purse crochet pattern is now available for FREE.

Most people don't know how much work is involved in creating a crochet pattern. There's a lot of trial, error, testing. Basically a lot of frogging, and making the same thing multiple times.

Instagram changed up its logo about two years ago, but its old logo is still very recognizable. Not only that, but many people have been creating various crafts featuring this iconic logo. 

For example, there are cookies, cakes, felt keychains, cross stitch patterns, wallets, and let's not forget crocheted purses.

Instagram Logo: New and Old

I love all the variations of the different types of crocheted Instagram purses out there, but I had something in mind and wanted to create my own pattern. So that's what I did.

I actually made two of these crocheted purses about a year ago, but never got around to finishing them because I just wasn't completely happy with them. It wasn't until more recently, I set out to create a newer one that I was more satisfied with.

DIY Instagram Purse Free Crochet Pattern

Examining the different types of stitches that I can use for the purse, I loved the look of the half-double crochet in the third loop as it creates a knitted look to the purse. 

Not only that, but half-double crochets work up much faster than single crochets do so I wouldn't have to do as many rounds.

Then, I debated on whether I wanted to do them in rows, or rounds. Joining each row created this undesirable seam up the side of the purse which I wanted to avoid. 

However, if made using rounds, the colour change from light brown to dark brown becomes very obvious given how tall half double crochets are. Long story short, I decided to use rounds anyway.

After that, it came to deciding how I wanted the dark brown part of the purse to look. There could be many options, I could create a flap cover or a separate lid, or simply flip the top part inside-out. 

At first, I created a lid. but the lid didn't always sit straight and there wasn't a good way to secure it. At that point, I grew tired of this project and set it aside for the next year or so. 

As you can see, I even went as far as to sew lining inside of this one.

DIY Instagram Purse Free Crochet Pattern

DIY Instagram Purse Free Crochet Pattern

More recently, I remembered that my Instagram birthday in June is coming up, and I thought maybe I would give this project another try. So I modified the purse and crocheted a taller portion of the dark brown part and folded it down. 

I also tried many different stitches to see which one looked best. To my surprise, the reverse side of the HDC in the third loop complemented the look of this purse very well.

DIY Instagram Purse Free Crochet Pattern

I wanted a purse with a flat base and would be able to at least carry my wallet inside. But after I completed the first two purses, I just felt that the base was too small.

After putting my wallet inside, my keys and my cell phone create this unwanted bulky look to my otherwise neat structured purse. So then, I set out to make a larger base.

DIY Instagram Purse Free Crochet Pattern

Then, I decided that the lens looked kind of small too. I thought a larger lens would make the purse look cuter, so I went ahead and made a larger lens as well.

DIY Instagram Purse Free Crochet Pattern

So you see, in total, I now have 3 variations of this purse sitting at home. However, I only have one that I am completely satisfied with. 

Not only that, but think about how many times I had to frog it and start over. Creating a crochet pattern is no easy task. I haven't even gotten to the part where you have to actually write down the pattern.

The only reason why most of us are able to create something so beautiful on our first try is that there was a crochet designer behind the scenes that put so much work into creating an easy-to-follow pattern.

And for that, I thank all crochet designers out there that provide their patterns for free all over the Internet because technically, they don't have to. But because they do, I was able to learn how to crochet and fall in love with this craft 5 years ago. 

And because I learned and fell in love with crochet, I can now write free patterns on my blog to share with all of you!

The pattern for this Instagram crocheted purse will be released soon, so stay tuned and subscribe to my social media (Instagram, Facebook, The Cheerio Club Email List) for the latest updates.

UPDATE (06/15/2018): The Instagram Purse crochet pattern is now available for FREE.

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