Funky Knit Purse

Suss Cousins shows her knitting process for a fun and funky purse.

All About

Product Ideas

This purse looks complicated, but guess what? It's very easy to make.

Materials and Tools:

1 skein Brown Sheep Company Burly Spun: 100-percent wool, 8 ounces/228 grams, 132 yards. Color: #110-orange
1 pair size 15 (10 mm) knitting needles
1 tapestry needle
1 sewing needle and thread
1 pair of bamboo handles 1" thick and 6" diameter
1 piece of silk dupioni fabric lining 15" x 17"
crocheted flower appliqué

The finished measurement is 15" wide x 18" long.

Figure B

Steps:

1. Cast on 30 stitches.

2. Work 54 rows even in Stockinette Stitch (knit one right side row and purl one wrong side row). Bind off loosely.

Figure D

3. Weave in all loose ends.

4. Fold knitted piece in half—cast-on edge toward bind-off edge—knit side facing each other and the purl side out. With tapestry needle and yarn, sew a backstitch seam from folded edge and up, leaving a four-inch side opening. Repeat on other side.

Figure E

5. Attach handles: Roll 2-1/2 inches of the cast-on edge tightly around one bamboo handle. With tapestry needle and yarn, sew a whipstitch seam along edge. Repeat on other side with second handle. Leave purse wrong side out.

Figure G

6. Fold lining in half with right sides facing each other. With sewing needle and thread, sew a small backstitch seam from folded edge and up, leaving a four-inch side opening (same as for knitted piece). Repeat on other side.

7. Turn lining right side out.

Figure I

8. Take the knitted purse by the handles and place into the lining (the seams of the knitted piece and the seams of the lining should be on the inside of the purse, facing each other). Fold 1/4 inch of the lining to the inside along side edges and handle seams. With sewing needle and thread, sew a whipstitch seam, sewing the lining in place.

9. Turn purse right side out, lining ending up on the inside.

Figure J

10. Place the flower application in the left corner on one side of the purse. With sewing needle and thread, sew flower in place.

Tips:

Use the same pattern for making many different textured purses as gifts.
Make sure to measure your gauge by making a swatch. Note: The gauge is 8 stitches and 12 rows = 4/10cm.
Change the needle size according to the yarn and gauge. A tight stitch is recommended to keep the purse from stretching out.
Try other circular handles in other materials and colors.
Try lining in any fabric and pattern of your choice.
Instead of the flower application, use pins, brooches or decorative buttons.