Wednesday, January 04, 2006


I've had so many requests for the pattern for the pink knitted purse I made, I decided to post the instructions here. The yarn I used for the pink purse was from a cone of silk blend fingering weight machine knitting yarn. Since it was treated for use on a machine, it was stiffer and made a purse with "body." I am sure most kinds of yarn would work fine.

Pink Ruffled Purse Pattern


The pattern is very easy. With bulky yarn (or two strands of worsted weight held together, or three strands of fingering weight held together--which is the best option), and size 8 needles, cast on 36 stitches. Knit in garter stitch (knit every row), until purse measures 12 inches from CO edge. Bind off 4 stitches at the beginning of the next two rows. Knit in garter stitch for approximately 4 more inches. Bind off all stitches. Your purse should look like this:



If you are going to line your purse, now is the time to cut out your lining fabric. Lay your purse over the desired fabric and cut around the outside, giving an extra 1/2 inch or so seam allowance to your lining on all sides. Cut out lining. Sew the lining the same way you do the purse.

Fold the purse so that the bottom edge is even with the row where you cast of 4 sts on each side. Weave the side seams. I tucked a little extra fabric in at the bottom "corners," to make it more rounded.

Time to make the ruffle. Using fingering weight yarn and size 4 or 5 24-inch long circular needles, Cast On 116 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: *K1, yarn over. Repeat from * to end. (230 sts)
Row 3: Purl
Row 4: K1, *Increase one by knitting into the front and back of the stitch. Repeat from * to end. (459 sts)
Row 5: *K1, P1 (or K2, P2). Repeat from * to end.

Continue to work in ribbing stitch until the ruffle measures 2 inches wide. Bind off all sitches in pattern. The ruffle should look something like this:



Thread a tapestry needle with one strand of fingering weight yarn and thread it through the holes made by the yarn overs. Gather to fit around the flap of the purse. Sew the ruffle on top of the purse flap, overlapping the back a little to your taste.

With a crochet hook, make a chain, using fingering weight yarn. Tie into a bow and attach to the middle of the front flap.

Turn under 1/2 inch on top and flap edges of lining. Insert lining into purse, wrong sides together and blind stitch edges to purse.

The handle I used is an unused skinny belt from a thrift store. I cut it to size, leaving the buckle as part of the handle, so that it is adjustable. Stuff the purse with some plastic bags to find out where to attach the handles to get the best balance. I used D-rings to attach it to the purse as shown here:


And you're done! Enjoy your lovely little purse. Make one for a friend.




I decided to needle felt some trim to my gray bag. It is my first attempt at needle felting. I really like the way it turned out, and it was SO easy!

12 comments:

Shelly said...

Karen, I love your ruffled bag! I've definitely got to try this one, but maybe with the flap more rounded (?) - it would be perfect for my sister-in-law!

www.theyarntart.blogspot.com

Acornbud said...

Cute purse. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Many thanks for sharing your pattern--anxious to try making the ruffled one. Do you have more patterns to share? Pat

Anonymous said...

how many balls of yarn of what kind of yarn to you need for this bag?

Karen Dupaix said...

g knitter,

I'm assuming that you're referring to the gray bag here. It's knitted from about 520 yards of worsted weight 100% wool yarn. Any yarn that felts well will do. The pattern is available for sale.

Anonymous said...

adorable!!!! thanks you so much for sharing!!! now, i have a bulky brown yarn that i planned on using. would i want to use a skinny yarn for the ruffle???

Karen Dupaix said...

In answer to the question above, yes, you would want to use a skinny yarn for the ruffle.

Karen

Anonymous said...

hi! I just wanted to say that your pink ruffled purse is THUUUUPER cute!!!! All these ideas for knitting crafts are getting me waaay motivated. TY (thank you) 4 sharring your creativity.

Anonymous said...

God has given you a great gift!! Nice job!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I love this bag and i'm on to attaching the ruffle and i'm a wee-bit confuddled (i've only been knitting a year) - i would ask my mummy but i'm making it for her lol.

where does the ruffle attach on the back? does it go all the way around or does it stop at the sides? on my practise piece (i'm deternined to get it right lol) i attached it round to the back as well but cant decide if it looks odd - i'd appreciate any help - cheers!!! natalie.

Karen Dupaix said...

Hi, Thanks for your question. The ruffle extends about 2 inches in the back on both sides. To me it looks fine once it's all finished, even though it seems odd at the time of putting it together!

I created this design by looking at a very expensive, designer purse. This is the way the ruffle was attached on that purse.

I hope this helps.
Karen

Anonymous said...

Hi

Just wanted to say that I have just finished making this rffled bag, and I LOVE it! It was easy to do, I completed it with two evening's knitting and an evening sewing it altogether.

Thank you so much for sharing the pattern, I shall be using my bag tomorrow!

Lola