Tis the Season....

.... to be Jolly? Giving? Knitting? I say: ALL 3!!! So here is a free pattern! I wanted to make a cable knit purse for a friend for Christmas and couldn't find a pattern that I liked... so I made my own. Hope you all enjoy this and please e-mail me with any questions. Happy Holidays!

Cable Knit Purse

Materials

2 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn in the color Grey Marble.

2- 8" circular bamboo handles

Size 13 needles

darning needle

thread and fabric for lining (optional)

Pattern

(the following two rows is the repeat pattern. These are the 2 rows you will knit unless you are on a cable row. All cable rows are knit on the right size, so all wrong side rows are knitted in the pattern labeled 'Wrong Side row' shown below).

Right Side row: p4, k6, p k p k p k p, k12, p k p k p k p, k6, p4 (46 sts)

Wrong Side row: k4, p6, p k p k p k p, p12, p k p k p k p, p6, k4 (46 sts)

Cable Row A: (always knit on a right side): p4, slide next 3 sts onto a cable needle and lay needle on front side of work, k next 3 sts, k the sts on the cable needle. p k p k p k p, slide the next 6 sts onto cable needle and lay on front side of work. k6, k the sts on cable needle. p k p k p k p , slide the next 3 sts onto a cable needle and lay needle on front side of work. k next 3 sts, k sts on cable needle, p4. (46 sts)

Cable Row B: (always knit on a right side): p4, slide next 3 sts onto a cable needle and lay needle on front size of work. k next 3 sts, k sts on cable needle. p k p k p k p, k12, p k p k p k p, slide next 3 sts onto a cable needle and lay needle on the front size of work. k next 3 sts, k sts on cable needle, p4. (46 sts)

Cast on 46 sts. Start repeat pattern RS row, WS row until piece measures 5 1/2" ending a WS row.

next row: Cable Row A

starting with a WS row, repeat pattern for next 7 rows ending on a WS row

next row: Cable Row B

starting with a WS row, repeat pattern for next 7 rows ending on a WS row.

next row: Cable Row A

(continue this pattern until piece measures 26" or so, which will be after you knit the 5th Cable row A)

starting with a WS row, continue repeat pattern (WS row, RS row) until piece measures 5 1/2" from last cable row, ending on a RS row.

Bind off.

With right sides together, using a darning needle and the leftover tails or leftover yarn, sew up the sides 9" using a whip stitch. Turn work right side out. Wrap the top of the front side or back side of purse (the cast on or bind off row) around one of the bambo handles toward the inside of purse, just enough to cover and using the same yarn, whip stitch along the entire edge. Repeat with other side. Tuck in ends.

At this point you can line the purse, which is optional. I always recommend lining a knitted purse to give it stability. I cut a rectangle of fabric 22"x30". I folded it in half lengthwise so that that the folded measurement was 22"x15". With the right sides together and using my sewing machine and a 2" seam allowance, I sewed up the sides about 9 1/2". I leave 2" on each side so that I have plenty to work with. I then place the lining into the purse and pin into place with the right side of the fabric showing. I turned the fabric edges toward the wrong side of the fabric and I hand sew it into place using a matching sewing thread. When I sew the top portions, I will cover the whip stitched edge (around the handle), which makes a cleaner look. This part sounds pretty complicated, but it is much easier than it sounds and become pretty self explanatory as you go.

Again, e-mail me with any questions and Happy Holidays!!!