The For Small Things Purse is worked flat in a slip stitch textural pattern, which creates three-dimensional textured stripes as well as a firm fabric that is suitable for bags. The intarsia technique is also used, creating two botanical shapes using three colours.

The purse is knitted in one rectangle and folded in half. You knit the first side of the purse with an I-cord edge along both sides while following Chart 1 (see page 47) for the intarsia colour pattern. You then decerease the I-cord edge sts and work the second side with a garter stitch edge while following Chart 2 (see page 47) for the intarsia pattern. After finishing both sides, you work an I-cord cast (bind) off all the way around, then sew together the side seams. Next, you attach a zipper, followed by a cotton ribbon to hide the zipper seam.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
This purse can be knitted in various weights of yarn, such
as 4-ply (fingering weight), DK (light worsted) or aran
(worsted), meaning this pattern can result in various sizes.
Measurements of finished purse in the suggested yarn:

1. Length: 15cm (6in)
2. Height: 11cm (4¼in)

YARN
Heavy weight DK or lightweight aran (worsted weight) yarn
in a blend of wool and plant fibres for strength. As the
purse uses only a small amount of yarn, this project is
perfect for stash busting. You will also need waste yarn for
casting on.

MC: 33m (36yds)
CC1: 33m (36yds)
CC2: 25m (28yds)

Yarn used in the sample: De Rerum Natura Robinson (70 per cent Organic merino d’Arles (France) and 30 per cent recycled cotton, including 2 per cent of other recycled fibres), 250m (270yds) per 100g (3½oz).

MC: pêche melba, 1 skein
CC1: azur, 1 skein
CC2: grand bleu, 1 skein

ZIPPER
Use a zipper suitable for the size of your finished purse.
Zipper for the suggested yarn: 14cm (5½in) long

COTTON RIBBON
1.5cm (½in) wide, approx. 50cm (19½in) long, or to suit the
size of the finished purse.

NEEDLES
3.75mm (US 5) circular needles, or size needed to obtain
the correct tension (gauge).

TENSION (GAUGE)
26 sts x 46 rows to 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) in the slip stitch
pattern, measured after washing and blocking.

SKILL LEVEL
3 of 5