Put to good use

I received some wonderful gifts this Christmas, including a great little book on handbags, and a wonderful selection of buttons and beads. So I put both to good use, to make a dinky little handbag shaped purse for a friend who shares the same birthday as me.


The purse is knitted in stocking stitch from hand dyed linen, and the handle is plaited wool and linen. I made the pattern up, and it is fairly basic, but if anyone is interested: cast on 20 stitches, work stocking stitch for approx 50 rows (or until the piece is twice the depth of the desired purse).


Continue in stocking stitch, knitting two together at the beginning and end of every knit row. Continue until the closing flap is narrow enough for your chosen fastening, cast off.


Cut a rectangle of linen to form the lining for the body of the purse (I left the flap unlined).

Sew the side seams of both the knitted purse and the lining, insert the lining and stitch around the top to fasten it to the purse. Use the tail of the yarn from casting off to make a loop for closing the purse. Attach a bead or button for the closure. Use buttons to attach the plaited handle to the purse.