Zippered Crochet Change Purse DIY

When I first started this project, I thought I would need to sew a blanket stitch around the zipper to crochet into. Imagine my excitement when I realized I could actually slide my hook through the zipper fabric and crochet directly into it! I know, I know - sometimes I take the crochet geek levels to a brand new high. Anyway, this project is a wonderful way to use up your yarn scraps, and zippers are so cheap! Pick up a few and make a bunch of these cute little change purses to give as gifts.

You will need:

4" zipper of your color choice

Worsted weight yarn in two (or three, or four) colors 

Size 3 cotton thread

1.9mm crochet hook

G/4.25 mm crochet hook

How to make:

Take your 1.9mm hook and size 3 thread and single crochet 28 stitches around the zipper, working two single crochets in each end. This might take a few tries, figuring out where to yarn over, but it's easier than you think! The step-by-step photos below should help. Join with slip stitch in first single crochet.

Change to larger hook and first desired color. Chain 1, work a single crochet in same stitch as last slip stitch and in each single crochet around, join with a slip stitch to first single crochet.

Chain 1, work a single crochet in same stitch as last slip stitch, *chain 1, single crochet in next single crochet, repeat from * around, end with a chain 1 and slip stitch in first single crochet, changing to next color as you pull through the slip stitch.

Slip stitch into next chain-1 space, chain 1, single crochet in same space, *chain 1, single crochet in next chain-1 space, repeat from * around, ending chain 1, slip stitch in first single crochet. Repeat this round, changing colors as desired, until you have 8 rounds altogether (not counting the size 3 thread round). 

Now we're going to decrease. Chain 1, single crochet in same stitch as last slip stitch, *chain 1, single crochet in next chain 1 space*, repeat between * and * until you reach the side of the change purse (exact stitch count doesn't really matter, as long as you're on the side), single crochet two together (decrease stitch) over next 2 chain spaces, repeat between * and * until you reach the other side of the purse, single crochet two together over next 2 chains spaces, repeat between * and * until you reach the first single crochet, chain 1, slip stitch to first single crochet. Repeat this last row, working the decrease stitch over the 2 chain spaces on either side of the decrease stitch below.

[Work two even rounds (no decreasing), then two more decrease rounds] twice. Fasten off.

Unzipper the purse, flip it inside out, and crochet the bottom edges together with a row of single crochet.

Weave in all those ends and you're done!

You can make a simple lining for these purses or leave them as is - the stitch pattern is solid enough that it won't let coins or other objects slip though, yet pliable enough to have some give. Have fun!