Purses- Styles Bag Knitting Pattern

Purses - 3 Styles Bag Knitting Pattern by Plymouth Yarn

Project Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn offers three distinct purse designs that can be customized to suit different style preferences. Each purse is worked from the bottom up using circular and double-pointed needles, creating a seamless, professional finish. The pattern is available free with yarn purchase and uses Plymouth Yarn's Encore Worsted weight yarn.

Garment Specifications

The purses are available in two sizes: the smaller option measures 5 inches in diameter and 7 inches tall, while the larger version measures 6 inches in diameter and 8 inches tall. This size variation allows knitters to choose based on their intended use and personal preference.

Materials and Gauge

Each purse requires 2 balls of 100-gram Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted weight yarn. The pattern provides three color options: color 1233 for Pattern 1, color 1203 for Pattern 3, and color 515 for Pattern 2. Knitters will need US size 7 needles (or the size required to achieve proper gauge), including one 16-inch circular needle and a set of double-pointed needles. The working gauge is 5 stitches equals 1 inch in stockinette stitch.

Construction Techniques

The purse construction begins with a small cast-on worked on double-pointed needles, which are then joined in the round. The base is shaped using strategic increases worked every other round, creating a circular foundation. Knitters divide the initial 6 stitches evenly across 3 double-pointed needles and increase using the knit-front-and-back technique at regular intervals. Once the stitch count reaches a point where circular knitting becomes practical, knitters transition to the 16-inch circular needle and continue working in the round with a placed marker at the beginning of each round.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

• Garter Stitch: Alternating knit and purl rounds create the garter stitch texture used in the base and as transition sections in Pattern 2
• Stockinette Stitch (stst): The primary stitch used throughout all three pattern variations, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Seed Stitch: A textured stitch combining knit and purl stitches in alternating fashion, featured in Pattern 3 for visual interest
• Knit-Front-and-Back Increases: Used during the base shaping phase to gradually expand the stitch count from 6 to either 72 or 96 stitches depending on size
• Knit Two Together Decreases: Applied once during the transition from garter stitch to pattern work to adjust stitch count

Pattern 1 Details

Pattern 1 creates a subtle ribbed texture using a repeating sequence of 5 knit stitches followed by 1 purl stitch. This pattern is worked continuously until the purse reaches 3 rounds short of the desired total height. The knitter then completes the top with 1 purl round followed by 2 knit rounds, creating a finished edge.

Pattern 2 Details

Pattern 2 features alternating blocks of stockinette stitch and garter stitch, creating horizontal stripes. The sequence includes 12 rounds of stockinette stitch, followed by 3 rounds of garter stitch (purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round), then 6 rounds of stockinette stitch, and this garter stitch and stockinette combination repeats. The pattern concludes with stockinette stitch worked until the total height is achieved.

Pattern 3 Details

Pattern 3 combines stockinette stitch with seed stitch in 6-round blocks, alternating between the two textures. This creates a balanced visual pattern with textural variety. The seed stitch sections are worked by alternating knit and purl stitches in each round, ignoring the beginning-of-round marker to create an offset pattern that enhances the textural effect.

Yarn and Fiber Content

Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted is a durable, versatile yarn suitable for structured projects like purses. The worsted weight provides excellent stitch definition and creates a fabric with good body and structure, making it ideal for a bag that needs to hold its shape.