Cable Stitch Purse

Materials:

  • Approximately one skein of worsted weight yarn (two strands held together at one time) or chunky yarn.
  • A set of US size 10 knitting needles
  • Purse handles
  • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing on purse handles
  • Cable needles
  • Fabric material (to line inside of purse)
  • Sewing needle (to sew material to inside of purse)
  • Magnetic clasps (or some kind of closure for the purse)

Pattern Abbreviations:

K= knit

P=purl

sts= stitches

K2tog= knit 2 stitches together

CO= Cast Off

ssk= slip, slip, knit ( slip 2 stitches as if to knit, to the right needle, then insert the left needle into the fronts of these two stitches and knit them together).

C2B= “Cable 2 Back”- Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back of work, knit the next two stitches, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.

C3F= “Cable 3 Front”- Slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work, knit the next three stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.

C3B= “Cable 3 Back”- Slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back of work, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.

Pattern Instructions: (Main body = rectangle about 14” long and 12”wide)

Using size 10 knitting needles, cast on 54 sts.

Row 1 (and all odd numbered rows): K6, P6, K4, P4, K4, P6, K4,P4, K4, P6, K6.

Row 2:P6, K6, P4, K4, P4, K6, P4, K4, P4, K6, P6.

Row 4: P6, K6, P4, C2B, P4, K6, P4, C2B, P4, K6, P6.

Row 6:P6, C3F, P4, K4, P4, C3F, P4, K4, P4, C3F, P6.

Row 8: Like Row 4.

Row 10: Like Row 2.

Row 12: Like Row 4.

Row 14: Like Row 2.

Row 16: P6, C3B, P4, C2B, P4, C3B, P4, C2B, P4, C3B, P6.

Row 18:Like Row 2.

Row 20: Like Row 4.

Repeat Rows 1-20 until purse is the desired size.

*Remember, you will be folding the piece in half to make the purse.

Cast Off.

Side Gussets (make two):

Using US size 10 knitting needles, cast on 18 sts.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 6 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 6 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog, K1.

Knit 5 rows.

K1, K2tog.

K4 rows.

K2tog.

Joining pieces:

Fold knitted piece in half. Pin one gusset to a side.On Right side, use gusset's CO tail to mattress stitch side into place. Repeat with second gusset.

Fabric Lining and closure:(This part is not necessary but it keeps items from falling out through the holes of the purse). Sew fabric about the same size as the purse; make sure to leave room for the side gussets. Seam the edges and sew onto the bag, leaving about 1/8 inch at the top. Attach closure to inside of purse (make sure to leave enough room to attach handles).

Attaching Purse Handles:

Attach handles using yarn and a tapestry needle. You can also use thread and a sewing needle but make sure that you use something that will be strong enough to attach the handles. As a cheap alternative, I wrapped heavy duty cardboard in yarn and sewed them onto the purse with a tapestry needle.

*You can adapt the pattern any way that you would like. Have fun with it and be creative!