Have a Nice Day!

Little Sunflower purse from Crochet Purse Appeal, 1977

Ah, the smiley face. During the 1970s, this manically cheerful symbol got plastered onto clothing, lamps, cookie jars – essentially anything that didn’t move (or moved too slowly). After a decade of oversaturation, this grinning, yellow symbol appeared doomed to haunt garage sales and Wal-Mart smocks, but the smiley face is back with a vengeance, getting its own official postage stamp, making miraculous appearances on carbs, and being fêted on its very own worldwide holiday.

In 2009, the 11th annual World Smile Day will land on Friday, October 2nd, and the official site encourages everyone to mark the day with smiles and acts of kindness. So, what better way to celebrate than by inflicting – I mean, giving a handmade smiley face purse to some random child. And don’t worry, this lucky tyke won’t be mistaken for a short Wal-Mart employee, because in 2008 Wal-Mart lost their bid to monopolize the Smiley face.

So, get ready to celebrate the liberation of smiley faces everywhere, by making one into a receptacle for pennies and snotty tissues!

For the complete pattern (and more snark!):

Little Sunflower Purse

Why is this purse a sunflower? Many projects in this pattern book are named after flowers for no apparent reason. Just wait until I get to the African Daisy purse...

Approximate size 7 ½ ” diameter (plus strap)

Materials
62 yds. 3 ply #72 yellow polypropylene (Satin Sheen by Weaveasy, Color Sunray Yellow was used.)

I’m pretty sure Sunray Yellow isn’t the same as Sunset Yellow FCF more infamously known as FD&C Yellow 6. However, to avoid hyperactivity, don’t let your child chew on the purse.

3 ½ yds. 3 ply #72 blk. polypropylene (Satin Sheen by Weaveasy, color Raven was used.)

Alas, Weaveasy is no longer with us. In the 1970s, not only did they make cord for macramé and weaving, they also created a whole series of books of weaving techniques and designs to help you uglify – I mean, beautify your home. On the bright side, no one’s ever going to steal that lamp!

However, polypropylene cords are still easily available. Not only do these cords have a glamorous plastic-like sheen, polypropylene is also highly resistant to solvents and acids. So you can let your daughter carry her junior chemistry set inside her purse without fear.

On the down side, polypropylene will eventually break down chemically in sunlight, so don’t let her take the purse outside.

“K” crochet hook

Sewing needle and black thread

Front

Chain 5, Sunray Yellow join with sl st to form a ring.

Round 1 Chain 3, work 11 dc in ring (chain 3 counts as 12th dc), sl st to top of chain 3.

Round 2 Chain 3, work dc in the same place as sl st, and dc 2 in each dc around (24 sts). Sl st in top of 3rd chain.

Round 3 Chain 3, work dc in same place as sl st, *dc 1 in next st, dc 2 in next st, repeat from * around (36 sts). Sl st to first sc.

Round 4 Chain 1, sc in same place as sl st and each dc around (36 sts). Join with sl st to first sc. End.

Wow, only 4 rounds. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find out the width of Weaveasy cords, and polypropylene cords come in a wide variety of diameters. All I can say is that 3 mm is definitely too small, but the 97 mm is probably overkill.

Back

Make back same as front.

Eyes for Smiley Face

Make 2. With “K” hook and raven cord, chain 9 sts. End. Form circle and stitch in place on front of purse.

Mouth for Smiley Face

With “K” hook and raven cord, chain 24 sts. End. Stitch in place on front of purse.

If the little girl in question is a Twilight or Buffy fan, add vampire fangs.

Finishing

Holding circles together (wrong sides together) sc around, leaving ⅓ open at top. Do not break cord. Continue (for strap) by chaining 72 sts, sl st to opposite side of purse opening. Sc in each chain toward opposite end of strap. Join.

That’s a pretty thick looking purse strap for just one row of single crochet. What the heck, go ahead and use the 97 mm diameter cord. You never know when a little girl will need a purse strap with 77,564 kg of tensile strength.

ETA: Or, for that matter, a small dog!

Click here for the printable pattern.