Creative Focus Worsted from Nashua Handknits 75% wool, 25% alpaca; 3 1/2 oz. (100g); 110 yds. (99m); worsted weight

-- #1630 Salmon (A)

-- #2190 Copper (B)

-- #410 Espresso (C)

-- #100 Natural (D)

-- #4899 Khaki (E)

-- #1460 Juniper (F)

-- #1450 Blue Pine (G)

Download Pattern

• Size 9 (5.5mm) 24-inch (60cm) circular needle OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
• 1 pair 3/4-inch metal purse handle loops
• Man's 1-inch-wide leather belt for strap
• Magnetic purse fastener
• 13-1/2-x-3-1/2-inch piece of 1/4-inch-thick crafts foam for base
• Blunt-end yarn needle
• 1/2 yard of lining fabric
• Sewing needle and thread

3 balls Salmon

1 ball of all remaining colors

After felting: 14 x 8 x 4 inches

Gauge:
16 sts and 22 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in St st before felting. TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

SL1-k = slip next stitch knitwise.

wyib = with yarn at back of work.

With A, cast on 75 sts and work back and forth across needle in rows.
Row 1: Sl1-k, wyib, k across. Rep Row 1 for 41 more times.

Pick up and k21 sts along left side of Base, 75 sts along cast-on edge, and 21 sts along right side of Base -- 192 sts. Place marker between first and last sts to designate beg of rnd. Work in St st (k every rnd) until sides measure 12 inches long. Bind off all sts loosely.

Small Felt Piece (make 1 each with B, C, D, and E) Cast on 48 sts and work in St st until piece measures 9 inches long. Bind off all sts loosely.

Large Felt Piece (make 1 each with F and G) Cast on 48 sts and work in St st until piece measures 18 inches from beg. Bind off all sts loosely.

For felting instructions see:

Felting Basics

Using actual-size pattern pieces (download above) and sharp scissors, cut 2 each of the following: Fig. 1 (large flower) in F; Fig. 2 (large circle) in G; Fig. 3 (small flower) in B; Fig. 4 (medium circle) in D; Fig. 5 (large paisley) in G and C; Fig. 6 (small paisley) in B and F; Fig. 7 (small circle) in D and E. Cut 24 Fig. 8 (leaf) in E. Using photo as a guide and matching yarns, sew applique pieces of flowers and paisleys together and to bag, noting design is the same on back and front of bag. Embroider vine in Chain st with C around front and back of entire bag. Sew leaves in position. Lightly re-felt bag to smooth cut edges. Dry bag and trim any stray pieces of yarn. Cut 2 pieces of lining fabric 15 x 11 inches. Sew side and bottom seams with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn under 1/2 inch at top edge, press and stitch. Attach magnetic closure to center top of lining. Place crafts foam in bottom of bag. Stitch lining in place around top edge of bag. Pinch corners at each side to make 4-inch-deep pleats (2 inches of fabric on each side); position purse-handle loops in place, and secure pleats through all thicknesses. Thread belt through loops, doubling it so the buckle is to the outside and on top.