Crochet a Durable Purse or Pouch from T-shirt Yarn.

My four year old son was pretty chuffed to receive a Leap Pad 3 touch pad for Christmas last year. I had some t-shirt yarn lying around and thought it was an ideal yarn to make a case for his new leap pad. This pouch can work as a beauty bag or purse too. It’s easy to make and highly adaptable. You can change the size by making it from a lighter weight yarn. Or you can decorate it by adding appliques.

As mentioned I used t-shirt yarn. T-shirt yarn is basically recycled t-shirts turned into yarn. It’s typically made from cotton, jersey, or polyester. I have tried a few different varieties as well as making my own. I’ve found they can vary a lot in weight depending on how thin the strips are cut. The yarn I used for my crochet case was created by Lincraft (Australian craft store) and the gauge on the yarn label reads 11 sts and 8 rows. I got a wpi (wrap per inch) of 5-6, so this is classed as a super-bulky weight.

The case is worked bottom up in the round. The yarn is then re-attached to make the flap. Once completed, all you need is a nice button to complete your case. I reckon the button is like the icing on the cake, so I always like to invest in nice buttons to finish my projects. Here I used a beautiful handcrafted button by Nullarbor Beads. I didn’t add lining to my case as the t-shirt yarn is so thick and durable it didn’t seem necessary, but you may like to add lining to yours.

Copyright
Please do not reproduce or distribute any part of this pattern without permission. Items created from this pattern may be sold by individuals on a small-scale, but please acknowledge Roaming Pixies as the designer.

Pattern Notes

Pattern is written in US terminology.

Gauge

14 sts and 9 rows in dc.

Materials

Main Colour – 140gr (65m/71 yds) t-shirt/super bulky yarn
5mm – H – hook or other hook size to achieve gauge.

LeapPad3 Case/ Pouch – Free Crochet Pattern

The pouch segment is worked in the round. Join each round with a slip stitch. h 1, and ch2, at beginning of round does not count as stitch. 

Rnd 1   Using MC, ch 25, working in the top chain loop only 2sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 22 sts, 2sc in last st, now turn and work across the unworked bottom loop of the chain: 2sc in first bottom chain loop, sc in next 22 sts, 2sc in last st (52)

Rnd 2   ch 1, sc in first st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 22 sts, *sc in next st, 2sc in next* twice, sc in next 23 sts, 2sc in last st (56)

Rnd 3-14   ch2, dc in each st around [12 rounds] (56) 
Fasten off.

Flap

Reattach your yarn with a slip stitch to the 16th last st worked. That is, find your last stitch worked and count the next 16 stitches backwards, and that 16th stitch is where you will reattach your yarn. 

This section is worked in rows. The ch2 does not count as a stitch. 

Tip! You can adjust your button hole size at Row 5. Skip more stitches to make the button hole bigger or skip fewer stitches to make it smaller 

Row 1   ch2, dc in same st and next 9 sts (10)

Row 2-4   ch2, turn, dc in 10 sts [3 rounds] 

Row 5   ch2, turn, dc in 3 sts, ch 4, skip 4 sts, dc in last 3 sts (6) 

Row 6   ch2, turn, dc in 3 sts, dc in next 4 chains, dc in last 3 sts (10)

Fasten off. 

Now weave in the ends and sew on your button. Add lining if desired. 

Your Leap Pad 3 case is finished! I hope you enjoyed this free pattern by Roaming Pixies. I am always happy to hear your thoughts or questions or recommendations for new patterns, so feel free to comment below.