When I found this pattern from HeartHookHome, I had to make it right away! She used cotton yarn to make the purse, which I used for mine as well. Acrylic can be used, but it might stretch out faster than cotton yarn would. With every stitch alternating between a single and a double crochet, using black and white yarn can make a houndstooth pattern! I've also made a purse with solid black yarn, and used rainbow variegated embroidery floss to sew on the clasp. Generally, I like to match the embroidery floss color to that of the yarn, but there are countless color combinations that can be used to give your purse a unique appearance!