Daisy Stripes Purse
by Jessica Johnson-Gammon Strawberry Fashions on Etsy Morrighan on Ravelry
Difficulty: Advanced Beginner (Requires a small knowledge of sewing, good eyes, and Gauge: 16 stitches & 24 rows over 4" in stockinette in the round. Finished Size: Small Bag: 7.5" wide. Large Bag: 9" wide. Recommended Yarn: Any Bulky Weight Example uses Bernat Softee Chunky, 1 skein of MC (164 yards), 1/2 skein of CC(82 yards) Needle Size: Us 8 circular needies, or size needed for gauge. Other Notions: yarn needle for attaching handles, 1 set acrylic purse handles like the ones pictured. (I got these from Wal-Mart, but they are also available here.) Optional: Fabric and matching thread for lining. A fat quarter should be sufficient for either size bag. Project is knit in the round. Instructions are written for magic loop, but if provisional cast on is used it can also be knit on DPN's or $16"$ circular needles. Abbreviations: K- Knit P- Purl MC- Main Color (Green in the example bag) CC- Contrasting Color (Silver in the example bag) BO-Bind Off BLCO- Backwards Loop Cast On AKA Single Cast-On
Knit Bag:
Instructions are written small bag(large bag). Using MC and the figure 8 cast on or Judy's Magic Cast On cast on 60(80) stitches, 30(40) for each side of the bag. K 3 rounds then switch to CC without breaking yarn and begin color pattern. Both colors will be carried up the side throughout pattern without breaking yarn. Color pattern: Row 1-2 CC:K Row 3-5 MC:K Row 6 CC: $\ast\mathsf{K}5.$ , insert needle in stitch 3 rows below 3rd stitch on left needle and pull up loop, K2, insert needle in same stitch as before and pull up loop, K3, insert needle in same stitch as before and pull up loop, Repeat from \* 5(7) more times. Row 7 CC: $\ast\mathsf{k}\mathsf{5}$ , k2tog, ki, k2tog,ki, k2tog, repeat from \* 5(7) more times. Row 8-12 MC:K Row 13-14 CC:K Row 15-17 MC:K Row 18 CC: \*insert needle in stitch 3 rows below 3rd stitch on left needle and pull up loop, K2, insert needle in same stitch as before and pull up loop, K3, insert needle in same stitch as before and pull up loop, k5, Repeat from \* 5(7) more times. Row 19 CC: \*k2tog, k1, k2tog,k1, k2tog, k5, repeat from \* 5(7) more times. Row 20-24 MC:K Here the instructions split for the small and large bags. Small Bag: Rows 25-46: Repeat Rows 1-22 Row 47 MC: P4, Bind off 4, P14, Bind off 4, P8, Bind off 4, P14, Bind off 4, P4. Row 48 MC: K4, BLCO4, K14, BLCO4, K8, BLCO4, K14, BLCO4, K4. Rows 49-52 MC: K Bind off. Large Bag: Rows 25-48 Repeat Rows 1-24. Rows 49-58 Repeat Rows 1-10 Row 59 MC: P9, Bind off 4, P14, Bind off 4, P18, Bind off 4, P14, Bind off 4, P9. Row 60 MC: K9, BLCO4, K14, BLCO4, K18, BLCO4, K14, BLCO4, K9. Rows 61-64 MC: K Bind off. Lining instructions: (Both Bags) Cut a piece of fabric as tall and twice as wide as the knitted bag, plus an inch on each measurement for seam allowances. Sew short sides right sides together with 1/2" seam. Trim slightly, then turn tube wrong side out. Sew along previously seamed edge with a 1/2" allowance. This creates a french seam for added stability. (I do this on almost everything I sew. I can't stand raw fabric edges...) Slip lining tube over knitted purse right sides together, with about 1/2" fabric above BO edge. Hand baste together, then zigzag stitch around BO edge of knitting. Turn lining to the inside, folding knitting at line of purl stitches. (Don't worry about the bottom of the lining, we will finish that last.)
Attaching Handles: (Both Bags)
Slip both ends of one handle into holes created by the BO4's on one side of bag. Using MC yarn and yarn needle whipstitch BO and BLCO edges together through hole in handle. (This part is a little tricky. If it helps you can go all the way around the bottom of the handles with each stitch instead of keeping the yarn going back and forth through the hole. Even that's a little tricky, but it also adds stability.)
Finishing:
If you used the provisional cast on for the bottom of the bag, return bottom edge to needles and join with your preferred method. Weave in ends if desired. (I didn't. It's not like they're going to show right? I just tied them off and left them.) Pull lining out of bag. Fold about half an inch inside the tube of lining. (To the wrong side.) Seam along the folded edge, with a quarter inch seam allowance. Return lining to inside of bag and smooth lining and knitting together. Stuff with your stuff. Pattern copyright 2008 By Jessica Johnson-Gammon Pattern for personal use only. Limited commercial license available. Do not distribute this pattern. See designer's website for further information and possible errata. Thanks to Kim, aka Lav Ackerly, for proofreading and to Jenean, aka Headmistress Wartbobble for sponsoring the contest that spurred me to design this.
