photos: Angela Sixian Wu

Knitpicks

<click for more!

by Angela Sixian Wu

The idea of making thispurse originated with mystudy of improving andenhancing the stiffness ofknitted fabric with liningand interfacing fabrics.

You might not think ofusing a kid­silk blend yarnto make a purse, but withlining and interfacing,everything becomespossible.

Knitted in the round, withtwo different sized andcoloured beads threadedonto two separate balls ofyarn, you will enjoylearning the little tricksand techniques of makinga special clutch handbag

for a special party or wedding. Try it!

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Height: approx. 7 inchesWidth: approx. 11.75 inches

MATERIALS

The SRK Collection Ovation Kid Mohair & Silk [75% kid mohair, 25% silk; 186yd/170m per 20gskein]; color: #2123; 2 skeinsNote: Rowan Kidsilk Haze [70% superkid mohair/30% silk; 229yd/210m per 25g ball] is a suitablesubstitute.

Recommended needle size: Two US #2/2.75mm circular needles, 24 inches or longer

Fabrics:Underlining fabric: 0.3 yard ivory silk dupioniLining fabric: 0.3 yard petal pink silk dupioni Interfacing: 0.3 yard heavy weight sew­in interfacing

One steel purse frame, approx. 2 inches deep and 7.5 inches wideThe purse frame shown was purchased at a bridal shop. Purse frames are also available at many craftstores, and some craft supply websites.

20g size 6/0 Mill Hill pony beads in shade #G16608 Amethyst Ice 25g size 8/0 Mill Hill pony beads in shade #G18081 Jet Sewing thread Fabric marker Straight pins Beading needle Yarn needle Sewing needle and thread Strong glue: purse shown used E6000 Clear Medium Viscosity Multi­Purpose Glue A sewing machine is handy but not necessary

GAUGE

28 sts/50 rows = 4 inches in beaded stockinette st pattern

PATTERN NOTES[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

This purse has fourlayers: a beaded knittedexterior shell, an ivorysilk dupioni underliningto show off the knittedfabric, a heavy­weightsew­in interfacing toshape and support thepurse, and a pink silkdupioni lining for a cleaninterior finish.

Place bead: Bring yarnbetween needles to frontof work, slide bead upyarn so that it sitsdirectly next to rightneedle, slip next st toright needle, bring yarnbetween needles to backof work. Once thefollowing st is worked,the bead will be lockedin place in front of theslipped st.

Directions for Judy'sMagic Cast On can befound here.

Pattern for fabricpieces

Print pattern pieces Aand B ­ each will fit on asingle sheet of letter­sized paper.

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Prepare Pattern and Cut Fabric

Print pattern pieces A and B. Tape togetheralong the bold line as indicated, to produce asymmetrical pattern. The solid outer lineindicates the cutting line; the dotted inner lineindicates the seamline. Check the shape of thepurse frame against the paper pattern; theframe should be the same shape as the upperedge of the seamline, between the edges ofthe purse opening. If necessary, adjust theshape of the pattern before cutting it out.

Cut 2 pieces each from underlining fabric,lining fabric, and interfacing, transfering themarkings for the edges of the purse opening. If desired, cut seam allowances from patternpiece along seam lines shown, and usewashable markers to trace seam lines ontofabric as guides for sewing. Marked seamallowance is 1/2 inch, except at gusset edges(short edges marked with asterisks), where itis 3/8 inch.

Step 2: Attach Interfacing and UnderliningPin interfacing to WS of underlining, matching edges. Baste together around edges, using a 3/8 inchseam allowance. Repeat for other pieces of interfacing and underlining. This forms the front and backpanels of the purse body. The RS of the underlining fabric is the RS of the panel; the interfacing formsthe WS of the panel.

Step 3: Form Purse Body and LiningPin panels together with right sides together, carefully matching edges.Working downward from marked edge of opening and using the marked 1/2 inch seam allowance, sewpanels together along curved side edge, ending at corner where side edge meets gusset edge (shortedges marked with asterisks). Sew other side together in the same way.Sew panels together along straight lower edge, leaving gusset edges open.

Fold corners of bag, pinching inner corners of gussets so that gusset edges meet; pin together. Sewgusset edges, using marked 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Trim seam allowances along curved side edges, clipping every inch or so to reduce bulk and smoothcurves. Turn right side out, checking to ensure that corners are turned properly and edges of openingare even. Press if necessary.

Pin lining pieces together with right sides together, carefully matching edges. Sew together in the sameway as the body panels. Do not turn right side out.

Step 4: Attach Lining to Purse BodyInsert purse body into lining, so that RS of body faces RS of lining. Carefully match edges of upperopening, and pin in place. Sew purse body to lining along edges of opening, leaving a gap approx. 3inches long. It will be easiest to finish the bag neatly if this gap is left along the straight upper edge ofthe opening.Turn lined purse body right side out by pulling carefully through gap. Sew gap closed by hand. Press ifnecessary.

KNITTED SHELL

Using Judy's Magic Cast On, CO 73 sts onto each of two circular needles. Working back and forth overthe sts on one needle, work 19 rows in stockinette st, ending with a RS row.

Continuing from last row worked, pick up and k 10 sts (approx. 1 st for every 2 rows) along one shortedge of piece; using second circular needle, k all sts on second needle, then pick up and k 10 sts alongremaining short edge of piece. Divide sts between needles so that 5 sts from each short edge areplaced on each needle. K 1 round, ending at end of second needle (last 5 picked­up sts are on firstneedle and remain unworked for this round). This point will be beginning of round. 166 sts: 83 sts oneach needle. Break yarn.

Thread large beads onto one ball of yarn, and small beads onto the other ball of yarn. It is notnecessary to thread all beads at one time. You can always break yarn during knitting and thread morebeads. When working the charted bead pattern, some rounds will be worked with one ball of yarn, andsome rounds with the other ball, depending on which beads are required. For rounds that do notrequire beads, use the ball that was not used for the preceding beaded round.

Work Rounds 1­52 of Chart A, decreasing as shown. Chart A is worked twice in each round, once oversts on on first needle, and once over sts on second needle. Outlined pattern repeat is worked ninetimes in each half of the round. 118 sts when Round 52 is complete: 59 sts on each needle.

Divide for Opening:Work Rows 1­22 of Chart B back and forth over sts on first needle, leaving remaining sts on hold onsecond needle. Outlined pattern repeat is worked 7 times in each row. When Row 22 is complete, 51sts remain on first needle.

Bead placement for this panel is complete.

Shape Upper Edge:Row 1 [RS]: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 49 sts.Row 2 [WS]: BO 2 sts, p to last 2 sts, p2tog tbl. 46 sts.Row 3 [RS]: BO 2 sts, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 43 sts.Row 4 [WS]: BO 3 sts, p to last 2 sts, p2tog tbl. 39 sts.Row 5 [RS]: BO 3 sts, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 35 sts.BO remaining 35 sts purlwise.

Join yarn to sts on second needle with RS facing. Work as for sts on first needle.

FINISHING

Weave in the ends. Soak knitted shell in water with a small amount of a gentle soap. Rinse, and squeeze gently to removeexcess water. Block shell, stretching slightly. Allow to dry completely.

Insert purse foundation into knitted shell, carefully matching and pinning edges and corners ofopening. By hand, sew edges of foundation to edges of shell, approx. 1/8 inch from edge.

Very carefully apply a small amount of glue to purse frame to edges of purse. Insert purse edges intoframe. Allow to dry completely.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Angela Sixian Wu enjoys knitting, sewing, and other crafty activities.

She blogs here.

Pattern & images © 2009 Angela Sixian Wu. Contact Angela