Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Tweedy Purse

Carry your keys in style with this easy-to-knit handbag. After a rectangular base is made working in rows, stitches are picked up on the remaining three sides and worked in-the-round on double-pointed needles. Seed stitch gives this variegated yarn a trendy, tweed-like look, and smaller-than-recommended needles mean a denser fabric, eliminating the need for a lining. Two I-cord straps are attached on the sides of the top, and a button and small pom-pom with uncut loops add a little extra something on the front.

Materials:
TLC Essentials (100% Acrylic, 6oz/170g, 312yds/285m) one skein in Surf & Turf (discontinued)
US 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles
One small turquoise button
Tapestry needle

Gauge:
22 sts = 4in (10cm) in seed st on US 5 (3.75mm)

Finished Size:
7in (18cm) wide by 7.5in (19cm) tall with 15in (38cm) straps


Pattern:
CO 32. Using only two dpns, work 8 rows in seed st ([k1, p1] on odd rows and [p1, k1] on even rows). Leaving active sts on one needle, use two other needles to pick up 6 sts on one end of rectangle, 32 along cast on edge, and 7 on other end (6 + 16 sts on one needle, 16 + 7 sts on the other). Begin working in seed st in the rnd ([k1, p1] all the way around since there is an odd number of sts). Continue even in seed st until purse measures about 7in (18cm) from beg. BO all sts.
Make two 15in (38cm) lengths of 4-st I-cord and attach one end of each to each side of purse. Make a small, loose pom-pom, but do not cut loops. Attach it to one corner along with a small turquoise button.

Feel free to comment here with questions.

This pattern is intended for personal use only. Please do not try to sell it or any product made from it. Thank you.