Helen's Strap

This is a pretty easy to make purse strap, it is quite lovely if you make it in two colors, so that the loops will show more. Sew the ends to purse rings and you're set!
Materials-
Worsted weight yarn of your choice (I used Red Heart) in at least 2 different colors (for the sides), I chose to make it in 3 different colors for effect.
Crochet hook size H.
Scissors
Pins
A surface to pin your ropes to while you loop (it could be a pillow or a piece of cardboard)

As usual, we will start with two crocheted ropes. Please refer to our tutorial on how to make them.
You will find it here:
How to Make the Crocheted Ropes
Your ropes can contrast or match your bag in any combination of your liking.
To start, make your ropes. Pin them to the top of your working surface or pillow.
Step 1- Take rope #1, the one that is to the left and bring it to the front of rope #2, then around that rope to the back of it and then pass it over the little curve that formed as you went around, and bring it back to the front again.
Step 2- Now take rope #4 (the one that lies first to your right), bring it to the front of the middle rope (rope #2), around it toward the back and then
bring it to the front again, passing it over the little curve that forms on the side as you work. Tighten a bit.

To form your strap, repeat step #1 and step #2 alternately for as long as you need to to form the length of strap you want.
Fasten off, and sew ends to purse rights.

Done!

If you want to, you can make the loops a bit more loose to allow the middle color to be seen. But if you make them tight, you will have a nice, strong strap that you
look very nice pretty rings in a small purse with pretty as a substitution to a more expensive wooden handle. It also makes a strong strap for a large tote bag.














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A Courageous Attitude. . .

Cynthia's Purse Strap or Handle

An interesting and pretty purse handle or strap can add interest to even a common-looking tote or bag. This one's pretty easy and you can use it to liven up any bag!

Color is key in a rope strap. You can make the strap in contrasting colors or in different hues of the same color of your bag.
Make 4 crocheted cords (please, use the search box in this blog to find the tutorial on how to make ropes) in 4 different colors, this way you will be able to follow the tutorial , the more easily.

Pin the ropes to a pillow or a piece of cardboard with some fabric on top to avoid soiling.
To make the braid proceed as follows:

1- Place rope #4 over the two central ropes and under rope #1.
2- Bring rope #1 under the two central ropes and out over rope #4. Carefully, tighten up a bit to
pull up the beginning of the knot.
3- Bring new rope #1 under the two central ropes and over rope #1, bring rope #1 over the two central ropes and under rope #4. Tighten up a bit. You just formed a square knot.
4- Bright rope #1 over rope #2, rope #4 over rope #3, bring the two new central ropes over one another, the left one over the right one. Bright the two ropes at the edges over the two central ones, and cross them one over the other as before. Bring the ropes that are now at the two edges to the center over the other two and cross them as before.
5- Repeat a square knot.

Alternate rows 1 to 5 until you have the length of strap you need. When you finish, sew ends to purse rings. Fasten off.

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Bible Universe