Knit Purse Pattern

This Knit Purse Pattern uses the Half-Linen Stitch for the body of the purse. This easy to make handbag is lined and features detachable leather handles for easy washing.

This knit purse pattern was a first for me! After years of knitting washcloths and towels, I decided to try my hand and something new. It was a fun change and I will definitely be expanding my knit purse and handbag repertoire.

It did take me a while to figure out the best stitch for this knit purse pattern. I started several times, with a variety of different knit stitches, but finally realized that I needed a stitch that wouldn’t have much give to it. The linen stitch is one of my favorite knit stitches and creates a beautiful, non-stretch fabric that will lay flat. But, with 1 linen stitch project (this Linen Stitch Blanket) already under my belt, I wanted to try something else.

While only a minor modification to the Linen Stitch, the Half-Linen Stitch is a great stitch that creates a non-stretch fabric. It doesn’t lay quite as flat, but is a much quicker stitch.

Other qualities I wanted to incorporate into this knitted handbag pattern were washable yarn, detachable straps so that the purse could be washed and a lining.

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I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky in Vanilla Cream for the body of the purse. It is an acrylic yarn that washes up beautifully. I have washed my knit purse twice already and it hasn’t shown any pilling.

Attaching the leather straps with buttons was my answer for making a washable purse. You can easily remove the straps when you need to toss your knit handbag in the washer.

The materials and instructions are all in this post, but if you would like a printable PDF version of the knit purse pattern, click this button.

(body of purse measures 12” x 12”)

You can view the complete video for the Knit Purse Pattern here.

300 yards bulky/chunky yarn. I used 2 skeins of Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky in Vanilla Cream in this knitted handbag pattern

US 10 (6mm) Straight Needles, 14″

4 buttons ( I used 3/4” as I wanted my buttons to fit within the width of my 1” leather straps)

2 leather straps (mine were 24” long. I cut off the ends with the holes that were there if I had wanted to sew the straps on)

Exacto knife or something to cut leather

13-inch square piece of fabric for lining

Tapestry Needle

Sewing Needle and thread

Sewing Machine

Gauge: 17 stitches and 28 rows in a 4” square, using half-linen stitch

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Stitches Used

K: Knit

P: Purl

WYIF: with yarn in front

SL 1: slip next stitch from left-hand needle to right-hand needle, purlwise

Knitting Instructions for Purse

Using 2 balls of yarn, cast on 53 stitches twice, creating two pieces of knit fabric on your needle. This will ensure that your 2 pieces are the exact size.

1st row : *K1, WYIF SL1* Repeat until last stitch, K1

2nd row: Purl all

3rd row: P1, *K1, WYIF SL1* Repeat until last stitch, P1

4th row; Purl all

Repeat these 4 rows until work measures 12”

On the right side (an odd-numbered row) Purl all stitches to create a fold-over, turn edge.

Repeat rows 1-4 for one more inch, 8 rows.

Bind off loosely.

Wash and block

Constructing the Knit Purse:

Sew sides of the knit purse together, wrong sides together, on three sides, leaving the side with the turn edge open. Pin your purse sides at corners and at several spots to make sure the pieces are lining up correctly.  

Cut fabric for lining 1 each wider and longer than purse dimensions. In this case, with a 12” by 12” purse dimension, I cut my fabric 13” by 13”. It is better to err on the side of making your purse lining a wee bit bigger than too small.

Sew lining fabric together with right sides together, using a 1/2” seam allowance.

Place lining inside of the purse, with the wrong side of the fabric facing the inside of the purse

Turn over the top turn edge of your knit purse, catching the top of the lining fabric and using needle and thread, sew the bottom edge of the turn through the lining to the knit fabric of the purse.

If you’d like, you can wash the purse and block it again after sewing. 

This is optional, but I wanted to finish my knit purse off a bit by tucking in the corners.

 I tucked in the corners to match, pinned them and then sewed the edge.

Attach the Buttons and the Leather Straps:

Mark where your buttons will go. I measured in 3” from each side, right along the seam where you turned the edge over and sewed it. Sewing your buttons here will provide more support for the buttons and the purse.

Before you sew your buttons on, measure and cut your leather. It’s hard to say exactly how long your cut should be, it depends on the diameter and depth of your button.

Using an Exacto knife or something similar, start 1/2” up from the bottom edge of your strap and make small cuts until you can squeeze your button through the cut.

Sew your buttons on the knit purse, once again making sure you sew them on the thicker seam created when you turned the top edge of your purse over.

Attach the straps and enjoy your new knit purse!

When you want to wash your handbag, remove the leather straps.

To refer back to this Knit Purse Pattern in the future, bookmark this page or pin the following image.

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