Felted Purse Bag Knitting Pattern

Felted Purse Bag Knitting Pattern by Plymouth Yarn

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn creates a structured felted purse using the Galway Worsted yarn line. The finished bag measures approximately 8 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 6 inches tall (not including handles), making it a practical accessory for everyday use. The pattern combines traditional knitting techniques with wet felting to produce a durable, textured final product.

What Is Being Made

The Felted Purse Bag is a medium-sized handbag featuring two I-cord handles and a body constructed from double-stranded yarn. The design incorporates decorative ridged texture created through strategic color changes and picking up stitches from previous rows. The purse is intentionally oversized before felting to account for the significant shrinkage that occurs during the felting process.

Materials Required

This pattern calls for 2 skeins of Plymouth Yarn Galway Worsted—one skein in the main color (MC) and one skein in a contrasting color (CC). The yarn is worked double-stranded throughout the entire project, which is achieved by dividing each ball in half before beginning. Needles include a 24-inch circular needle in US size 13 and double-pointed needles in sizes 11 or 13 for the I-cord handles.

Knitting Techniques

The pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques executed at a larger gauge to prepare the fabric for felting. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric structure, worked at a gauge of 10 stitches over 4 inches before felting on US size 13 needles. The purse body is constructed in the round using circular needles, allowing for seamless construction of the main bag.

I-cord is used to create the two handles. This technique involves working a small tube by knitting across stitches on double-pointed needles, then sliding the stitches to the opposite end of the needle without turning, wrapping the yarn around the back, and continuing to knit. This creates a continuous cord that is both decorative and functional.

A key textural element involves picking up stitches from rows worked several rounds below and knitting them together with live stitches on the needle. This creates intentional lumps or ridges in the fabric that become more pronounced after felting, adding visual interest and dimension to the finished purse.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): Knit every round when working in the round, forming the smooth V-pattern base fabric
• Garter stitch: Created by alternating purl and knit rounds near the top of the purse
• I-cord: A specialized technique for creating tubular cords used as handles
• Picking up stitches: Stitches are retrieved from previous rows and worked together with current stitches to create textured ridges

Construction Process

The pattern is constructed in distinct sections. The two handles are made first using I-cord on double-pointed needles, then set aside. The purse body begins with a flat rectangular base worked on circular needles, which is then picked up around all four sides to begin working in the round. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch with three decorative ridges created by changing colors and picking up stitches from previous rows. The top edge features a short section of garter stitch before binding off loosely.

Once all knitting is complete, the two I-cord handles are sewn to the long sides of the purse, positioned approximately 5 inches apart. The entire bag is then wet felted to shrink and thicken the fabric, transforming the loose knit structure into a dense, durable textile. After felting, the purse is stretched over a box slightly larger than the finished dimensions and allowed to dry, which sets the shape and ensures even felting throughout.

Felting and Finishing

Felting is an essential final step that dramatically transforms the appearance and functionality of the purse. The double-stranded Galway Worsted yarn is specifically chosen for its felting properties. The felting process shrinks the fabric significantly while the color changes and picked-up stitches create pronounced textured ridges. Blocking the damp felted purse over a appropriately-sized box during drying ensures the finished bag maintains a structured, professional shape suitable for daily use.