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Exceptionally Cute Felted Purse

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Anneliese over at Aesthetic Nest has done it again!  She’s designed this cute little felted purse for her daughter.  I love it!  The bright colors are very appealing.  The tutorial she offers makes it a snap to work up your own version.  But, I’m making one for myself rather than for a little girl.  I think it’ll be perfect for those outings when I only want to carry my ID, keys, and cell phone.  I’m a dedicated walker and this is just the thing for me.  Plus, I own a bunch of brightly colored skeins of needlepoint wool that I’ve crocheted and felted before.

So little yardage is needed for each bag, especially if you use the varying colors that Anneliese does, that this might even be a good project for a Magic Ball of your wool scraps.  Just be sure not to try this with any  yarn marked ‘Superwash’.  That yarn won’t felt.  Almost any other wool or wool blend yarn will felt – some to a lesser degree than you might prefer.  For this project, I’d stick with yarns you are sure will felt.  This is also my opportunity to choose a knock-out single button that will set off the design nicely.  So many ideas!!

Note:  For an adult or older child, be sure to adjust the length of the shoulder strap.

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Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.