MATERIALS
Caron International's Felt-It (100% wool; 1.76 oz/50 g): #0003 Wildflowers, 2 balls
One pair size US 11 (8mm) or size to obtain gauge
Yarn needle
beaded fringe (5 fringes)
sewing needle and matching thread
SPECIAL TECHNIQUE
Felting: Completely assemble purse (see Finishing). Place purse in mesh sweater bag or pillowcase and close. Using hottest possible water and approximately 2 tablespoons (one capful) liquid hand soap, fill washer 1/3 full. Place piece in washer with an old pair of jeans (for agitation). Agitate for 6 minutes. Check the felting progress every minute after 6 minutes; depending on your washer, it will take 6 – 8 minutes of agitation to felt the desired amount. When you're pleased with the amount of felting, remove the purse and drain wash water from machine; gently squeeze water from piece. Fill washer to the same water level with cold water. Place piece into washer and rinse/agitate for another minute – the cold water will make the purse felt just a bit more. Set machine to drain, then run spin cycle for approximately 30 seconds - creases caused by over spinning are difficult to remove from the finished piece. Remove purse, gently stretching into shape, if needed. Fold flap over Front and lay purse flat to dry. Note: Strap will curl naturally into a tube. Drying process may take up to 2 days, depending on
humidity in the air.
STITCHES USED
Stockinette stitch (St st): Knit on RS, purl on WS;
GAUGE
In Stockinette st, 13 sts and 16 rows = 4"/10 cm (before felting); 16 sts and 28 rows (after felting)
Gauge is not critical for this project.
STRAP (make first)
Cast on 3 sts. Work even in St st for 110 rows. Bind off all sts.
FRONT
Cast on 12 sts; begin St st.
Shape Lower edge: (RS) Beginning this row, inc 1 st each side every row 6 times, end with a WS row—24 sts. (RS) Inc 1 st each side every other row 4 times—32 sts.
Work even until piece measures 12" from beginning, end with a WS row. Bind off all sts loosely.
BACK
Work as for Front until piece measures 12" from beginning; do NOT bind off. Flap: (RS) Continuing in St st, bind off 10 sts at beginning of next 2 rows—12 sts remain for Flap. Work even for 14 rows, end with a WS row. Shape Flap: (RS) Dec 1 st each side every other row 3
times, end with a RS row—6 sts remain. (WS) Dec 1 st each side once—4 sts remain. Bind off all sts loosely.
FINISHING
Assembly: Sew side seams, matching shaping. Sew ends of Strap centered over side seams. Weave in ends.
Felt Purse: (see Special Technique).
Beaded Fringe: In center of flap, using a knitting needle, make a small hole. Gather ribbon at top of Beaded Fringe together and push through hole in Flap, leaving just the beaded fringe on the RS of the flap. Using sewing needle and thread, sew ribbon securely to WS of Flap. Splay out the beaded fringes, using photo as guide; using sewing needle and thread, attach each Fringe in place on RS of Flap.
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