Summer Stripe Handbag

Hello,
let's talk handbags.Not your designer type I'm afraid,they're not really me.
This was my winter handbag.......


I found this crochet beauty in a charity shop and I love it's colourful stripes.The gorgeous Russian doll keyring can be found here.

It's not very big ,which is just fine in winter,but come summer and family days out a larger bag is required.It also needs to be sturdy,as it gets a lot of wear and tear,carrying heavy drinks,lotions and miscellaneous junk the boys pick up!
This is the bag I've been using for the past couple of summers....




It's very practical,big enough,lined,it's got an inner pocket and a zip for security.But it must be said it is looking a little shabby and I am bored with it...



So I decided to give it a crochet make over. I made a chain just a little narrower than the width of my bag( because I wanted to make sure the cover wasn't too baggy)......


Then did a half double crochet( U.S.term) in each chain.3 HDC in the last chain,and 1HDC in the opposite side of the chains ,back to the other end.2 further HDC in last chain.Slip stitch to join.This is the base of the cover.



Then its just chain 2 ( counts as first HDC)and HDC in each HDC of previous row.Slip stitch to join at end of row. I made my stripes varying widths to add interest.
Here it is at the park on Sunday....


Once it was deep enough I simply slipped my bag inside the cover and sewed it to the top edge.
And here's the finished result.........



That's better! I know it's a sort of a cheat,making a cover for a ready made bag .But this way I get a sturdy bag which looks pretty. I didn't go out and buy any yarn.I used cotton and some crepe from my stash,and my old bag gets a new lease of life.Here it is being modeled so you can get an idea of size.....




Right,I'm off the the shop with my new bag to test it out... Any excuse !!
See you soon
Jacquie x