Cradle Purses

[terrybb]

I made 1 cradle purse for my church's fall festival. The committee saw it and wanted more so I made 4 more. Someone found the baby dolls at Walmart for $.99 and bought 6 so I made 2 more. We put them on preview display and I got an order for 4 so had to buy more babies. Couldn't resist them so bought 12. Then I found small animals at the dollar store that I thought were the right size so bought 6 for $1.00 each. So I made 4 more purses. Then got an order for 2 but wasn't sure she'd like the bright color so made 4 to give her a selection. Then I discovered the animals were too big so figured out how to make a back-pack carrier in camo for them for little boys. Of course I used yarn from my stash and had to replenish that and needed new yarn in colors I didn't have so had to buy that...and so it goes.
Here's some pics of my most recent obsession - cradle purses
Terrybb
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/257f53f9.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/childspurse.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/31dd34dd.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/babypurses52.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/babypurses4.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/e3369776.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b202/terrybb/cradle%20purses/6b87f330.jpg

I just posted new links to my pics - rearranged my photo album.
Update: 18 cradle purses sold at the Fall Festival for $15.00 each! Now I have to make more for my grandaughters.
terrybb

[caseysmom57]

:clap So cute!!!

[ldsjb]

Sooooo cute!

What pattern did you use? I like how they look in all the colors. These would make great Christmas gifts for the giving tree at church!

Lori B.

[terrybb]

The pattern is free at http://irenecrafts.com/patterns/cradle_purse.htmThere are also several variations if you google cradle purse.

[crochetdiva]

What a great job!!! Those are tremendous!!! I think I have to run out and buy some of those little baby dolls and make some for my kids now, lol.:yay

[caseysmom57]

Thank you so much - I have 3 grandsons and no granddaughters yet but want to make some to sell at craft fairs. How much would you charge?

[terrybb]

We're asking $15 each - it's for the church parsonage fund that breaks ground next week so we need lots of $ and I live in an area where people have $ and like to spend it. My whole cost is under $4 including the doll.

Terrybb

[caseysmom57]

Thank you so much terrybb.

[Mel]

Those are lovely- will have to add a couple of those to my list of xmas/birthday projects- thanks for sharing the pics and the link :)

[mamaoso]

They're soooo cute.. Thank you for the link...

[Celestial Seasonings]

Terry, those came out so cute! What a great deal on the baby dolls! I'll have to try that; I DLd the pattern a few weeks ago. Thanks for the inspiration!:manyheart

[Qmare]

:daydreami That brought back the most wonderful memory for me! I had totally forgotten all about those. A lady at church made those for the kids waaaaaaaay back when I was in preschool!

Thanks for warming my heart! :manyheart

[~BuggaBugga~]

Those are adorable! Thanks for the link, I think my little girl needs one too.

[mercy7]

never seen them before they are cute :tup :cheer

[Pyogazel]

Neat idea and nice job!

[ElizaDaisy]

Beautiful job! They turned out lovely. :clap Did you use baby yarn or worsted weight yarn to make them?

[terrybb]

I used worsted weight on most of them. The sport weight makes a smaller purse or, if you use a larger hook, makes it more meshy. I added a third color on many of them for trim. Think the next one will have a fun fur border or accent to use up scraps of yarn.

Terrybb

[crochetrae]

So cute! Thanks so much for the link and the idea! Those baby dolls are sweet. What's the name of them?

Susan Rae

[suzieluvs2crochet]

These are soooo adorable!! :hook

I need to download a copy of the pattern from the site you provided. We don't have anything like this for children to sell at our church bazaar--these should sell like crazy.

Where do you find camo yarn? Never heard of it and it would be perfect for my nephew's newly finished bedroom (he's in to Bob the Builder and I would like to do it in a brown variation).

Keep making those purses they are adorable :manyheart

[terrybb]

The baby dolls are Kidconnection 6" Mini baby doll. They were in an open box in the toy section - pastels of blue, pink, lavender, aqua and yellow for $.99 each. Not all Walmarts have them. Good luck.

Also found Camo yarn at Walmart - RH worsted weight. This time of year it's especially popular.
Terrybb

[momofgmd]

That is very cute! I have bookmarked the page and will probably do some for Christmas. Great idea and great job! :clap

[Stitchinpick]

I also love the cradles and have made them. They are very popular, even my 12 month old granddaughter will drag it around. It is sooo cute.

I want to know where you got the backpack pattern! Did you design that? What a great idea! I have a grandson too and I never know what to make for him. I have made him hats and blankets but that would be a fun item.chi

Stitchinpick

[caseysmom57]

I tried one last nite and must have used the wrong yarn because it didn't come out that way LOL. The hood especially seemed too small. Did you alter the pattern at all?

[PaganBaby69]

Hi Caseysmom,

Here is another version that uses a G hook:
http://www.knitting-crochet.com/crochet/crapur.html

PaganBaby69

[yarncat]

Adorable!!

[caseysmom57]

:yay Thanks hope I have better luck with that one.

[crochetlady]

I want to know where you got the backpack pattern! Did you design that? What a great idea! I have a grandson too and I never know what to make for him. I have made him hats and blankets but that would be a fun item.chi

Stitchinpick
:cheer:cheer:cheer
Terry , these purses are adorable! I too made many as gifts for my daughter's friends:) Would love to know where you got the backpack pattern .. It seems just so right for boys!!

hugs
Vims

[terrybb]

I just made up the pattern for the backpack. There are at least 2 ways to do it.

1. Crochet a long rectangle the width of your toy plus a little extra and the length of the toy times 2 plus a little extra. When it's long enough start decreasing 1 stitch each side to form a point and finish off. Then sew the sides closed leaving the pointed end to overlap like a flap. Make 2 chains the length of the the newly created envelope plus enough to go around the child's shoulders. Double crochet to give these straps some width then sew to the sides of the envelope starting at the bottom to the top, leaving the extra for shoulder straps. Join the ends at the bottom of the bag.

or

2. The way I did it. Crochet a chain the width of the animal plus a little extra. HDC in the 3rd chain from the end to the other end then HDC 3 more times in the end and HDC around the loop of the chain to the other end. 3 Hdc in the last chain and slip stitch to the first HDC then continue HDC around till it's the length to fit just under the animal's armpits when you place the animal inside the pouch. This is just like making the cradle part of the cradle purse but deeper because the animal is standing up, not lying down like a doll. Then HDC only the back half to the proper length to fit up and over the animal till it's completely covered and decrease 1 stitch each side to form a point. Sew the top half together on the sides so the pointed end overlaps the bottom half. Make the shoulder straps like #1 and sew them on the sides and there you have it.
This was the first time I've ever "designed" anything from scratch and I must say I was awfully proud of myself for figuring it out and very happy with the result. And you are making my head swell even bigger with your compliments. Thanks.
Regarding the hood on the cradle purse - I too had trouble with the first one - it was too flat and I fooled with it some, moving my decreases, adding rows between decreases, etc. Probable no two were done alike. I just kept at it till it worked. Sorry I can't be more help on this.
Terrybb

[khourtniey]

Those are adorable!

[carrieanne]

Oh my gosh are those CUTE!!!!!!!!!!! What a great idea!

[NINA]

I LOVE THEM I AM GOING TO TRY TO MAKE ONE FOR MY DAUGTER WHO LOVES BABY DOLLS THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE LINK AND GREAT GREAT GREAT JOB ON THE CRADLE PURSES:manyheart

[caseysmom57]

PaganBaby69, The pattern you gave me is coming along nicely - I am half way done and will let you know how it comes out. Thanks again!

[PaganBaby69]

Hi Caseysmom57, So glad I could help you! I thought the first pattern's hook size was too big. I would love to get some of the little dolls. They're so cute!

PaganBaby69

[caseysmom57]

Finished mine last nite and it came out so cute! I too purchased the little dolls at Walmart for .97 each. They had a good supply of them right in the doll section of the toy department.

[faithpa76]

Those are adorable!!

[FelixLake]

Soooooo cute!!! Thanks for the pattern link.

[yirishrose]

:think Could someone email me the pattern please as I cant seem to access the link. yirishrose@hotmail.com

[auntbubbels]

what a great idea - they are beautiful

[karen25667]

I made one also when I first started crocheting But I had a hard time finding a doll that fit. Thanks for the info I think I will make a few for Christmas presents. Karen :c9