Tuesday 18 December 2007

Sampler Purses


My little purse seems to be holding up well, so well that I've made a few since. It's a fun way to try out stitch patterns, without having to commit to a whole lot of knitting. The only limitation is that the stitch pattern needs to work in the round; though if you're not as averse to sewing as I am, you could knit it flat.* But that sort of defeats the point, which is that when you're done knitting, it's finished. So satisfying!

Here's how I did it:

1 circular needle
some yarn, whatever weight will work with whatever size needle you grabbed - gauge is not important, other than to note that lots of bobbles at a very tight gauge can be hard on your hands.

Cast on 50 stitches using the Turkish Cast-on (that's 25 stitches on each needle) or the closest number that will work for your chosen stitch pattern. Instructions for the Turkish Cast-on here, or here, or here. Video here.

The number is only really important for even distribution of the bobbles; no reason you couldn't cast on more, and decrease near the top to make a more shapely purse.

Knit till the pocket is long enough - about 7 cm.

Next round, the bobble-making round:
K2, make bobble, *k3, make bobble* to last 2 stitches, k2 (6 bobbles) Knit to end of round.
**To make a bobble, knit front, back, front, back, front into next stitch, turn, k5, turn, p5, turn, k2tog, k2tog, k1, turn, p3 tog. Small, tight bobbles seem to work best for this**

Next round: Cast off 25 stitches. K5, cast on 5 stitches (I just use a single cast-on), *k3tog, cast on 5* to last 5 stitches, k5. Turn.
Next row: knit
Cast off.

If your stitch pattern requires more than 25 stitches, just centre the 25 stitches needed for the bobbles, and cast off the extra stitches with the others in the cast-off row.

*To knit the purse flat, cast on 25 stitches, knit a row, knit the bobble-making row, knit another row, start your stitch pattern, and knit until you have the length you want, then knit the loops, cast off, and sew up the sides.

If my numbers for the bobble placement are squiffy, let me know, I'll check and fix them right away. I have this drawn out on a scrap of paper with many corrections crossed out...

2 comments:

Cristina Salgueiro said...

I've made one. it is perfect, you know i'm a sucker for free patterns, and when i saw your little purse i couldn't resist. Everything makes sence, the only thing that i didn't do was the cast on turkish way, i simply can't understand. i have to sitt alone with no kids around. I will post a photo of my purse in my blog maybe tomorow and then you can see! CUTE!

Sonya said...

These are wonderful - they look like beautiful cakes, complete with bobble-cherries!