DIY Network

Purse Body and Straps Purse Body and Straps From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-103

You've finished the bottom of the purse; now it's time to start knitting the body and shaping the straps.

The bag as it looks while it's still on the circular knitting needles.

The knitted -- but not yet felted -- bag.

advertisement

	Knitting a tube (to see a step-by-step demo, click on the video link below)...
	Media Watch the Video

Knitting Quick Tip: Did you know that wool is actually warmer when wet?

Body of Purse
Knit 8 rounds even in stockinette stitch.
Increase Round: k2, m1, k21, m1, k3, m1, k21, m1, k1. (52 sts)
Knit 8 rounds even.
Increase Round: k2, m1, k23, m1, k3, m1, k23, m1, k1. (56 sts)
Knit 6 rounds even.
Increase Round: k3, m1, k25, m1, k3, m1, k25, m1, k1. (60 sts)
Knit 4 rounds even.
Increase Round: k2, m1, k27, m1, k3, m1, k27, m1, k1 (64 sts)
Knit 2 rounds even.
Increase Round: k2, m1, k29, m1, k3, m1, k29, m1, k1. (68 sts)

Top Border
Round 1: Knit, stopping 1 stitch before the beginning of round marker. Place a new marker at this point.
Round 2: Purl 1, remove old marker and purl to end of round.
Round 3: Knit.
Round 4: Purl.
Round 5: Cast off 3 sts, *k14, cast off the next 3 sts,* repeat 2 more times, end k14.

Note: Don't be confused if some knitting instructions tell you to "cast off" and others tell you to "bind off": both terms mean the same thing.

	Figure A
	Figure B

Straps
Work each triangular section separately (figure A), beginning with the one that yarn is attached to.
Row 1: k2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Repeat row 1 until 4 sts remain.
Cut yarn and place the 4 sts on a holder.
With WS facing, join yarn to the next group of stitches on the same side of the purse.
Work as for first triangle until 4 sts remain.
Do not cut yarn. Slip these stitches onto one size 13 double-pointed needle. Join a second strand of yarn and using both strands together, work in I-cord as follows (figure B):
*k4, slip sts to the other end of the needle and taking yarn firmly across back of work repeat from *.
Continue working in I-cord until strap measures 14" from top of triangle.

Joining Strap
Slip the 4 sts of the first triangle onto a spare needle. Making sure that strap is not twisted, place the I-cord stitches over the RS of triangle stitches. Join with a 3-needle cast off as follows:
Holding both needles in your left hand, with working needle knit together a stitch from the front needle with a stitch from the back needle. Continue across in this manner and cast off at the same time.
Cut yarn and fasten off last stitch.
Repeat this process on the remaining 2 sections to make and join the second strap.

Figure C

Bottom Band
This band helps keep the bottom flat and gives a nice shape to the purse (figure C).
With purse upside down, slip the circular needle into the top loops of the last round of garter stitch around the outer edge of the bottom. There should be 48 loops on the needle.
Join a single strand of wool and knit 1 round on the size 11 needle.
Next round: Joining a second strand of yarn and using a size 13 needle in your right hand, loosely cast off all stitches. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Finishing
Work in all yarn ends carefully on the wrong side, taking care to neaten the strap joins in the process. Sew cast-on edges together to close the bottom of the purse using a loose overcast stitch.

RESOURCES :

Woolpak wool yarn
14-ply (bulky) 100 percent New Zealand wool

Fiber Trends' Needle Felting Starter Kit and Colored Roving Variety Pack
Fiber Trends
Web: fibertrends.com

Felted Knits
By Beverly Galeskas
Interweave Press 2003
Website: www.interweave.com

GUESTS :

Beverly Galeskas
Fiber Trends
Website: www.fibertrends.com