Make a Crochet & Leather Clutch

Do you feel like making something new for yourself? Then pair some leather scraps with pretty yarn and crochet this chic clutch bag with a leather flap. 

You need

    piece of leather
    100% cotton yarn
    button
    3.5 mm crochet hook
    darning needle
    sewing needle
    thread
    cutter
    scissors
    hole punch
    craft pliers

Materials

Lay out all the materials and tools you will need. Instead of scissors, you can use a cutter, whatever you have at hand.

Making the Pattern

On a piece of paper, draw a pattern for the leather flap in your chosen size. I folded the sheet beforehand and only drew half to make sure the flap was symmetrical.

Using the Pattern

Unfold the paper and place it on your piece of leather. I attached it with clips to keep it secure. Now draw around the template, then you can cut it out.

Mine had a width of about 20 cm and a height of about 9 cm.

Punching the Holes

Punch holes that are a little larger than your crochet hook into the top of the leather. I punched 23 holes. Then punch two holes on each side.

Crochet Into the Leather

Place the leather with the inside facing upwards and crochet individual stitches into the holes. Use only the holes on the top face. For the second row, crochet two single crochet stitches into the existing ones. In my case, that made 46 stitches. At the end of each row, make a turning chain stitch. You can also make the double stitches into the leather as this makes the transition more attractive.

Crochet the Bag

The total length of the bag will, of course, depend on the thickness of your yarn and your own taste. I made 60 rows of 46 stitches. Fold the crocheted part inward, so that the inner part is on the inner side of the leather. It should overlap so that about two rows are parallel to the two side holes.

Crochet Together

When the sides are lined up neatly, you can begin crocheting the sides together. To keep the seam straight, catch the stitches once at the bottom and once at the two holes in the side of the leather. I joined the sides from the outside to give the edges a more interesting look.

Sewing in the Ends

Now sew in all protruding threads.

Position the Button

With two pins, mark the area where the button should go.

Cutting the Buttonhole

Using a cutter, cut a small hole between the two pins. Now the buttonhole is finished! Use the hole punch to make two mini holes at each end of the buttonhole, so that the leather won't tear.

Adding the Button

A berry shaped button is ideal. Take the wire and bend it until it forms a small eyelet, to enable the button to be sewn to the bag. 

Attach the Button

Now take the two pins again and place them where the buttonhole is located. Close the flap, then insert the pins into the bag and remove the flap. Position the button at the bottom end towards the pin and near the buttonhole.

Finishing

Now your bag is finished and ready to wear!