Melon Ball Felted Crochet Purse

Melon Ball Felted Crochet Purse

What Is Being Made

The Melon Ball Felted Crochet Purse is a structured handbag designed by Anastasia Blaes. This project creates a finished purse approximately 10½ inches in diameter after the felting process. The design combines crochet construction with intentional felting to achieve a durable, finished fabric suitable for everyday use as a functional accessory.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a crochet project that incorporates felting as an essential finishing technique. Felting transforms the crocheted fabric by agitating wool fibers in hot water, causing them to bind together and create a dense, sturdy material. This two-stage process—crochet followed by felting—produces a purse with improved structure and durability compared to unfelted crochet alone.

Crochet Stitches and Construction

The pattern employs fundamental crochet stitches including single crochet (sc) and slip stitch (sl st). The purse features an edging worked in single crochet, and construction details include a button loop created by chaining 9 stitches and securing with slip stitches. This beginner-friendly stitch selection makes the project accessible to newer crocheters while still producing a polished final garment.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Melon Ball purse is worked in DK weight yarn using Brown Sheep Company's Nature Spun Worsted, a 100% wool yarn. The pattern requires:

• 475 yards of #109 Spring Green (Main Color/MC) in 2 hanks
• 60 yards of #116 Blue Boy (Contrasting Color/CC) in 1 hank

The use of 100% wool is essential for this project, as wool's natural fiber properties allow it to felt effectively when exposed to heat, moisture, and agitation in the washing machine.

Felting Process

After completing the crochet construction, the purse undergoes a controlled felting process. The crocheted piece is placed in a zippered pillowcase or mesh bag to protect the washing machine. The garment is then subjected to a hot wash cycle with a small amount of dish soap and an agitation weight. The maker monitors the felting progress every 3 to 5 minutes until the desired density is achieved, then removes the piece and rinses it in cold water to stop the felting process and set the final shape.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as beginner level, making it suitable for crocheters new to the craft. The straightforward stitch selection and clear construction method allow beginners to successfully complete a functional, professional-looking accessory while learning fundamental crochet techniques and the felting process.