Magic Mondays

So, for my first Magic Monday I thought I would introduce you to not one but two of my favorite Witches. The first being quite possibly the most famous. Elphaba Thropp as portrayed below by Idina Menzel in the Broadway musical Wicked.

Or more commonly known as The Wicked Witch of the West immortalized by the late Margaret Hamilton.

I came across the idea of dedicating this small handbag to Elphaba when I posted it to my facebook photostream and my BFF noted it looked like something she would wear. After doing a wee bit of research I discovered that Elphaba wore a hat with some similar stitching.

 

Even though her hat is blue I like that this purse is in her traditional Wicked Witch black and green.

I really like this color wise and though it looks good on film, it has small flaws in it that I find that bother me. It made me think of the first number Idina and Kristin do together in Wicked.

“What is this feeling fervid as a flame, does it have a name, yeeesss, loathing, unadulterated loathing”

 

Elphaba’s Bag Crochet Pattern

Supplies:

Lily Sugar n’ Cream yarn in Black

Lily Sugar n’ Cream in Hot Green

Size H crochet hook

yarn or tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

st: stitch

sk: skip

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

slst: slip stitch

 

Instructions:

Purse Bottom

With The Black Yarn ch 26

Row 1 in second ch from hook sc evenly across (25 st)

Row 2 ch1 turn sc evenly across (25 st)

Row 3 ch1 turn, sc evenly across (25 st)

Row 4 ch 1 turn, sc evenly across (25 st)

ok, now were going to start working in the round… Not hard I promise.

Round 1 sc into the last sc from Row 4, rotate, 4sc down the side, now your at the bottom side of Row 1, sc evenly across 4sc up side, you’re now at the top of Row 4, sc evenly across (51 st)

Continue to work in the round for four more rounds. Finish off by slst to the first sc on the last round, weave in ends with tapestry needle.

Purse Body:

Add on the Green yarn starting at the far right corner and sc evenly around once, slst to first sc to join the ends.

Row 1 {ch 5, sk next 3sc, sc in next sc}17 times,  ch 5, sk 1 sc, sc

Row 2 {ch 5, sc in ch on previous row}18 times.

Row3-Row 11 repeat Row 2.

The purse should now measure around 7 inches. Bind off the green and weave in the ends.

Join the black on the far right corner sc, sc in same stitch you joined the yarn, in the ch 5 do 3 sc, sc in the next sc and repeat all around the top for three rounds. Bind off and weave in the ends…

Handle

Here is the only place where is can get a little tricky. Lay your on a flat surface and find the middle of the side and mark it with either a stitch markers or a piece of left over yarn. Like so,

Count four sc to the right of the stitch marker and join your black yarn. 8 sc across.

Row 1 ch 1 turn sc evenly across (8 st)

Row2-Row 75 ch1 turn sc evenly across (8 st)

Attaching the handle to the left side.

Now this is where it’s important that you had both sides evenly marked. (as I obviously did not. apparently my lap isn’t flat, as my handles came out lop sided) Line up the handle and slst evenly across the 8 sc. Bind off and weave in all ends.  You’re Finished!

Next week, I’ll be putting the lining in with a possible pocket and zipper.

 

 

My second witch that I would like to honor is Galinda! Which is my personal favorite and preferably as played by Kristin Chenoweth.

But also, the Billie Burke version we all know and love.

Galinda’s little clutch is a fairly similar pattern as Elphaba’s bag, just shorter with a small wristlet handle. I <3 it!!!

Galinda’s Munchkin Clutch

Supplies:

Lily Sugar n’ Cream yarn in Hot Pink

Lily Sugar n’ Cream yarn in Hot Green

Size H hook and F hook

yarn or tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

st: stitch

sk: skip

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

slst: slip stitch

Instructions:

Clutch Bottom

With green yarn and H hook, ch 26

Row 1: starting in second ch from hook sc even across (25 st)

now working in the round as we did with Elphaba’s Bag rotate your work to the bottom of the row you just stitched. Sc evenly across (25 st)

Continue working in the round for 6 rounds your piece should measure around 1 1/2 inches on both sides. Slst to meet ends, bind off and weave in all ends.

Clutch Body

Using the F hook, join pink yarn in far right corner

Row 1 {sc, ch 5, sk 2 st, sc} repeat 24 times, sc

Row 2 {ch 5, sc in ch from previous row} repeat 24 times.

Row 3 – Row 8 repeat row 2. Bind off and weave in all ends.

Join green yarn at far right corner. This is similar to how we worked the top of Elphaba’s Bag with one exception, Alternate one sc with a dc. a Stitch in all the sc and three in the ch 5 all the way around the clutch. Do three rounds, bind off and weave in all ends. Your piece should measure around 5 inches on both sides.

Wrist Strap

First lay your bag on a flat surface and mark the middle of the right side, Generally this will be right where is folds. Using a stitch marker or left over yarn (as I do many times). count two stitches over.

Join your green yarn in this place. 4 sc. At the end of this row ch 44

Row 1 in second ch from hook sc evenly down chain bind off, leaving enough yarn to sew your strap to the beginning of your first 4sc row . (43 st) The strap should measure about 5 1/2 inches. You’re now finished.

Next week, I’ll be sewing the lining in and adding a zipper. All with snazzy pictures and some info on our actresses that play theses witches of harmony and wonderment.

To my readers wanting to see more geekdom, My Next Wizard is Willow Ufgood! Can’t wait to see what I do with that! Look for it week after next!