This is a cute and colorful little clutch with beads and a desert motif design. The bag is worked flat with an intarsia design and seamed together. It is lined with fabric for strength and stability and the colorful tassels and i-cord edging complete the little bag.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 7” / [17 cm] x 15.5” / [40 cm] constructed; 19.5” / [48 cm] x 15.5” / [40 cm] flat.
Gauge: 22 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st after wet blocking.
Materials
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops Karisma (100% Pure New Wool; 109 yards [100 meters]/50 grams): 19 White (MC, 3 balls), 76 Dark Purple (CC1, 1 ball), 60 Turquoise (CC2, 1 ball), 11 Rust (CC3, 1 ball).
Needles: US size 4 (3.5 mm) 24” straight; US size 4 (3.5 mm) DPNs
Notions: Markers, tapestry needle, size 12 steel crochet hook or wire/ dental floss for adding beads, 108 size 6 beads, US size 5/F (3.75 mm) crochet hook for making tassels, fabric (48” x 15.5”), interfacing (48” by 15.5”)
Abbreviations
k2tog-tbl: Knit 2 sts together through the back loop. Dec 1 st.
PB: Place Bead
Special Stitches
I-cord Binding
With DPNs, CO 3 sts, *pick up st on purse edge insuring to pick up sts through both layers of Purse where necessary. Slide sts to other end of the needle, k2 sts, k2tog-tbl*; rep from * to * until you reach the corner, then work 2 rnds of I-cord (i.e. k3, slide sts to end of needle, etc.), then continue along edge of purse working from * to *.
Pattern
Flap
With MC, CO 79 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): Knit.
Rows 3-4: Rep Rows 1 and 2.
Row 5: Knit.
Rows 6-33: Follow Chart from Row 6 through Row 33, including all color changes and adding beads.
Rows 34-49: Work in St st.
Row 50: Knit.
Rows 51-110: Work in St st.
Row 111: Knit.
Rows 112-171: Work in St st.
BO all sts.
Finishing
Sew in all ends.
Block Purse to dimensions.
Using knitted piece as template, cut one piece of fabric lining and one piece of interfacing to fit inside Purse.
I cord Binding
Pin purse together with WS facing each other, ensuring side edges are aligned with each other. With the front of the Purse facing and with MC, starting from the bottom right corner, work I-cord Binding all around the edge of the Purse, up along the flap edge, turning corners as you reach them, and back along the left edge.
Break yarn leaving a long tail, pull yarn through live sts using a tapestry needle and secure. Weave in ends.
Add lining
With an iron, fuse interfacing to the back of the lining. Turn a 0.25” hem all along the 4 edges of the fabric. Pin into the same shape as the knitted outer fabric with the WS on the outside.
With RS facing and 0.25” seam allowance, sew side seams together.
Clip corners close to seams to remove bulk.
Insert into Purse and stitch along the front of the Purse to secure.
Stitch lining along the sides and top of the Purse with matching thread. If you prefer, plastic can be inserted between knitted fabric and lining for a stiffer Purse.
Tassels
Make tassels by cutting two 6” lengths of each color and using a crochet hook, pull yarn from the center of the lengths through gaps in the binding along the front flap. Loop around the loose threads, using photos for guidance on color placement and trim tassels into a v shape.