This little beauty is called Royal Society Purse and the pattern is from the year 1913! So if you are looking to crochet something truly vintage, then join me in creating this elegant purse.
The soft and silky DMC Pearl Cotton thread, which is mostly used for embroidery, is so perfect for this purse. Read on to find some links where you can buy the pretty thread.
Fun fact! While I was working hard to figure out the whole pattern from the chart, I was reading this awesome book by Marie Forleo “Everything is Figureoutable”. Such a motivational book, it definitely encouraged me to complete this project.
VIDEO TUTORIAL OF ROYAL SOCIETY PURSE
WRITTEN PATTERN OF ROYAL SOCIETY PURSE
I use DMC Pearl Cotton size 5 color Lt Antique Blue. One ball has 10g / 49yds and you will need 5 balls. It’s available to purchase on Embroidery.com. Crochet hook is 2.75 mm. You will also need lining fabric, sewing needle & thread, and pins. Optional: you can add beads to the ends of drawstring.
The Royal Society Purse is made in 6 steps:
- crochet 2 sides of the purse
- block both pieces
- attach the sides
- add the lining
- crochet upper edge
- make drawstring
Abbreviations: ch = chain sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet dc = double crochet hdc = half double crochet beg = beginning
Special stitches: Bobble stitch = (yarn over, insert hook in space required, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first 2 loops on hook) three times, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook Ch3-picot = ch 3 and sl st in stitch below
STEP 1 – CROCHET 2 SIDES OF THE PURSE
- Ch 14, sl st in 1st ch to make a ring.
- Round 1 – ch 1, sc 37 in the ring, sl st in 1st sc.
- Round 2 – ch 1, sc 1 in each next 7 sc, ch 2, skip 1 sc, (dc3-bobble in next sc, ch 2, skip 2 sc) 9 times, dc3-bobble in next sc, skip 1 sc, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 3 – ch 1, sc 2 in space created with hdc, sc 1 in each next 7 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (11 sc), ch 2, (in next ch2-space dc2+ch3+dc2) 9 times, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 4 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 11 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (15 sc), ch 2, (in next ch3-space dc3+ch4+dc3) 9 times, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 5 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 15 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (19 sc), ch 2, (in next ch4-space dc2+picot+dc2+picot+dc2+picot+dc2) 9 times, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 6 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 19 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (23 sc), ch 2, sl st in 1st picot, ch 2, sc in 2nd picot, (ch 8, sc in next middle picot) 8 times, ch 2, sl st in last picot, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 7 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 23 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (27 sc), ch 2, ( dc 10 in ch8-space) 8 times, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 8 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 27 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (31 sc), ch 2, (dc 1 in each next 5 dc, ch 1) 15 times, dc 1 in each next 5 dc, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 9 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 31 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (35 sc), ch 5, (in next ch1-space dc+ch2+dc, ch 4) 14 times, in last ch1-space dc+ch2+dc, ch 3, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 10 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 35 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (39 sc), ch 4, (in next ch2-space dc2+ch3+dc2, ch 2, sc in ch4-space, ch 2) 14 times, in last ch2-space dc2+ch3+dc2, ch 2, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 11 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 39 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (43 sc), ch 4, (in next ch3-space dc3+ch4+dc3, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1) 14 times, in last ch3-space dc3+ch4+dc3, ch 2, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 12 – ch 1, sc 2 in hdc-space, sc 1 in each next 43 sc, sc 2 in ch2-space (47 sc), ch 3, (in next ch4-space dc3+picot+dc2+picot+dc2+picot+dc3, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1) 14 times, in last ch4-space dc3+picot+dc2+picot+dc2+picot+dc3, ch 1, hdc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 13 – ch 1, sc 1 in hdc-space, ch 15, skip 1st sc, sc in next sc, (ch 15, skip 3 sc, sc in next sc) 11 times, ch 15, sc in 2nd ch of next ch3-space, ch 15, skip 2 dc, sc in 3rd dc, (in each 3 picot sc+ch3+sc, ch 1, sc in next ch1-space, picot, sc in next ch1-space, ch 1) 14 times, in last 3 picots sc+ch3+sc, sc in next dc, ch 15, sl st in 1st beg sc.
- Fasten off, cut off.
- Repeat rounds 1-13 for the second piece but don’t finish the last round, pause after last ch15-loop and sc in 3rd dc. Fasten off but don’t cut off thread.
STEP 2 – BLOCK BOTH PIECES
Make the pieces wet and lay them on the blocking mats, adjust the shape and attach with pins. Let them dry completely before removing the pins.
STEP 3 – ATTACH THE SIDES
- right side out and wrong side facing each other.
- Continue round 13 on second piece: *(sc in 1st picot, ch 1, sl st in the corresponding ch3-space on the first piece, ch 1, sc in same picot on second piece) three times, ch 1, sc in next ch1-space, ch 1 sl st in corresponding picot on the first piece, ch 1, finish the picot on second piece, sc in next ch1-space, ch 1, repeat from*
- After last picot sc in next dc, ch 15, sl st in 1st sc of round 13, fasten off, cut off.
STEP 4 – ADD THE LINING
- Place the crochet piece on the lining fabric, mark the side all around and cut the piece following the marks.
- Cut the second piece of fabric using the first one as a template.
- Using fine sewing needle and thread, stitch the sides together.
- Insert the lining pocket in the purse, fold back the upper edge of lining, leaving the cut edge inside to stay invisible.
- Stitch around the upper edge, inserting needle through crochet piece and lining fabric alternatively.
- Please see the video tutorial for additional help.
STEP 5 – CROCHET UPPER EDGE
- Round 1 – join thread with sc in one of the ch15-loops, ch 5, (sc in next ch15-loop, ch 5) repeat, instead of last 5 chains = ch 2 and dc in 1st beg sc.
- Round 2 – ch 5 (counts as dc and 2 ch), ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of next ch5-space, ch 2, (dc+ch2+dc in 3rd ch of next ch5-space, ch 2, sc in 3rd ch of next ch5-space, ch 2) repeat, sl st in 3rd beg ch.
- Round 3 – sl st in ch2-space, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc, ch 3, dc 2 in same space, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1, (dc2+ch3+dc2 in next ch2-space, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1) repeat, sl st in 3rd beg ch.
- Round 4 – sl st in next dc and ch3-space, ch 3, dc 2, ch 3, dc 3 in same space, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1, (dc3+ch3+dc3 in next ch3-space, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1) repeat, sl st in 3rd beg ch.
- Round 5 – sl st in next 2 dc and ch3-space, ch 3, dc 2, picot, dc 2, picot, dc 2, picot, dc 3 in same space, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1, (dc3+picot+dc2+picot+dc2+picot+dc3 in next ch3-space, ch 1, sc in next sc, ch 1) repeat, sl st in 3rd beg ch.
- Fasten off, cut off, weave in all ends.
STEP 6 – DRAWSTRING
- Holding 2 strands of thread ch 150, fasten off, cut off, weave in tails on both ends.
- Weave the string through the long ch15-loops on the purse.
- Tie a knot and add a bead if you prefer.
- Repeat the same for the second string.
- Weave in the second string starting with opposite side ch15-loop.
- Please see video tutorial for illustration.
If you enjoyed making this purse, please see my other crochet bag patterns and tutorials.
Happy crocheting!
DISCLAIMER: I take no credit for this FREE pattern as it is not my design. DO NOT try to sell the pattern or pass it off as your own. However, you are welcome to sell your products made with the pattern. Unfortunately I don’t have the name but thank you to the designer of this free pattern!
Some links in this post are affiliate, meaning I’ll make a small commission if you make a purchase, but this is at no cost to you.
