This compact striped purse comes from Miss Lambert’s My Crochet Sampler, published in New York in 1847. The original design demonstrates how simple rows of plain crochet and carefully chosen colors can produce a strong, practical Victorian accessory.
The original instructions assume familiarity with nineteenth-century purse finishing and do not specify modern hardware. Crochet Board has kept the construction faithful while separating optional modern finishing ideas from the historical pattern.
Materials
The historical pattern calls for moderate-sized netting silk in scarlet with green or stone-colored shades. A modern maker can use a firm crochet thread or smooth fine yarn appropriate for a small purse, together with a compatible hook.
Pattern Instructions
Foundation
With scarlet, make a chain of 140 stitches.
Striped Body
- Work 3 plain rows in scarlet.
- Work 5 plain rows in green shades or stone-colored shades.
- Repeat these two stripe groups until the fabric is wide enough for the purse.
Assembly
When the piece reaches the desired width, join the long sides neatly. The source allows either sewing the seam or crocheting the two sides together. Draw up the ends and add the period-appropriate trimming of your choice.
For a modern interpretation, a small lining and discreet closure may be added without changing the crochet structure.
Vintage Source
Publication: My Crochet Sampler
Author: Miss Lambert
Publisher: D. M. Peyser, New York
Year: 1847
Original pages: 88
Project Gutenberg eBook: #57595
Rights note: Project Gutenberg identifies this work as public domain in the United States. Readers outside the United States should check the copyright law that applies in their location.
About This Crochet Board Edition
This Crochet Board page is an editorially organized presentation of a historical public-domain pattern. The original construction, counts, color sequence, and period terminology have been preserved where they are important to the design, while punctuation and layout have been clarified for easier reading. Historical yarn names, hook conventions, sizing practices, and stitch terms may differ from modern standards.
Explore more: Browse the Vintage Crochet archive or read How to Read Vintage Crochet Patterns before working from nineteenth-century instructions.