Navigation: home \ fiber arts \ knitting projects \ cable knit purse
Cable Knit Purse
Inspired by Margaret Nicole's purses


[click on pic for enlarged view]

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman color
One and a half skeins (one skein is 6.00 oz./170 g and 106 yd/97 m)
Note: my bag started pilling after a while...perhaps you can substitute a more durable super-bulky yarn)

Needles: US 13 bamboo circulars

Other tools: row markers and knit counter, pair of round bamboo handles 6" diameter, 1 yard matching lining material (quilt fabric works nicely), 2 yards of 7/8" satin ribbon, thread in matching colors

Gauge: 12 sts = 4" in stockinette stitch (3 st = 1")


[click on pic for enlarged view]

Pattern:
main body (one rectangle measuring about 14" long x 12" wide)
CO 43 st
row 1 (WS): opposite of pattern
k1, p2, k2, p6, k2, p2, k2, p9, k2, p2, k2, p6, k2, p2, k
row 2 (RS): k3, p2, [c6b], p2, k2, p2, [c6f] k3, p2, k2, p2, [c6b], p2, k3
row 3 (WS): first & last st are always knit, otherwise knit the knits & purl the purls
row 4 (RS): first & last st are knit, otherwise knit the knits & purl the purls
row 5 (WS): first & last st are knit, otherwise knit the knits & purl the purls
row 6 (RS): k3, p2, [c6b], p2, k2, p2, k3[c6b], p2, k2, p2, [c6b], p2, k3
row 7 (WS): k first st, knit the knits & purl the purls, k last st
row 8 (RS): k first st, knit the knits & purl the purls, k last st

repeat pattern, ending in a multiple of 8.  BO after a row #8 right sided repeat (before a cabling row).  I knit about 48 rows and the piece measured about 14" long x 12" wide unstretched.

side gussets (make two)
CO 12 st (leave 10" tail for seaming later)
row 1-4: k (garter stitch)
row 5: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1 (use marker to indicate rt side)
rows 6-10: k
row 11: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1
row 12-16: k
row 17: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1
row 18-20: k
row 21: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1
row 22: k
row 23: k2tog, ssk
row 24: k
BO two stitches.  Leave a tail for easy seaming.


[click on pic for enlarged view]

 

Joining pieces:
Count about 24 stitches on each side & fold piece in half.  Pin one gusset to a side.   Use gusset's CO tail to mattress stitch side into place (on right side).  Use extra piece of yarn to attach the other side.

Lining:
Sew fabric into a rectangle about the same size as the bag.  I just eyeballed it and it measured 19 x 22" or 19" x 11" when folded.  This seems big, but remember to leave room for the gussets!  Seam up the edges.  Hand stitch to bag about 1/5" from the top.  No need for fancy hidden stitches, since this area will be covered by the yarn looped around the handle.  It's best to use lining of a coordinating color, since it may show through the knitting.  I used cotton quilting fabrics.

Attaching clasps:
I bought some magnetic clasps on eBay (3/4" silver).  They are really easy to install.  Make sure to leave about 1/4" from the top of the lining so you can stitch through it during the next step.


[click on pic for enlarged view]
note: this version of the purse didn't have a clasp.

Attaching handles:
Use a large yarn needle and attach with a long piece of yarn.  Pierce through both the knitting and the lining for greater durability.  Hide tails in the gusset pieces.

Comments:
Compared with the original Margaret Nicole bags, this one uses heavier gauge yarn.  It knits up fairly quick, even with the cabling.  The originals also have a gusseted side, and they look seamed as well.  Another option would be to knit the whole bag in the round, so no seaming is necessary.  The cables would be identical on both sides then.
Also note: if you carry this purse around, everyone will ask you to knit them one too!!

Back to the Knitted Projects Page