Second Half
Cont in seed-st patt, use the cable method (see Glossary) to CO 7 sts at beg of next 2 rows—49 sts. Cont in patt, work the foll color sequence: 4 rows A, 2 rows B, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows B, 2 rows D, 2 rows B, 2 rows A, 4 rows D, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows D, 2 rows C, 4 rows D, 2 rows B, 2 rows C, 2 rows D, 2 rows B, 2 rows D.
With D, work 6-row eyelet band as before. Cont in seed-st patt, work the foll color sequence: 2 rows D, 2 rows C, 2 rows D, 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows B, 1 row A.
Change to smaller needles and work 2 rows in garter st. With WS facing, BO all sts knitwise.
Handle Gussets
With A, smaller needles, RS facing, and beg 12 sts in from right side edge, pick up and knit 25 sts. Knit 1 WS row. Work 4 rows even in St st (knit RS rows; purl WS rows). Purl 1 RS row to form turning ridge. Work 4 more rows in St st. BO all sts. Rep for other end of purse.
Finishing
Weave in loose ends. Block to finished measurements.
Flowers (make 9)
With oddments of yarn and smaller needles, CO 30 sts.
ROW 1: *K1, BO 3 sts (2 sts on right-hand needle); rep from * to end—12 sts rem.
Cut yarn leaving a 10" (25.5 cm) tail. Thread tail through rem sts, pull to make a ⅜" (1 cm) hole in center, and secure with a few sts. With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, sew flowers to RS of purse, attaching a button in the center of each flower.
pom-pom
Cut two circles of cardboard, each ½" (1.3 cm) larger than desired finished pom-pom width. Cut a small circle out of the center and a small wedge out of the side of each circle (Figure 1). Tie a strand of yarn between the circle, hold circles together and wrap with yarn—the more wraps, the denser the pom-pom. Cut between the circles and knot the tie strand tightly (Figure 2). Place pom-pom between two smaller cardboard circles held together with a needle and trim the edges (Figure 3).
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
Assembly
Using purse as a template, cut out lining fabric and interfacing fabric. Place interfacing on WS of purse body and iron in place according to manufacturer’s directions. Trim side edges as necessary. With WS tog, fold knitted piece along bottom fold lines. With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, use a mattress st (see Glossary) to sew side seams.
Turn purse inside out and use backstitches (see Glossary) to sew side gusset seam (BO/CO sts to the selvedge edges of the base to create a flat base).
Using a large needle, poke a hole in each corner of the card stock. Place card stock in base of purse and with sharp-point sewing needle and matching thread, secure in place through the holes.
Turn purse right side out. Sew purse handles in place.
Lining
With WS facing and using a backstitch with a ⅜" (1 cm) seam allowance, sew side seams. Use a backstitch to sew gusset seams as for purse. With WS tog, place lining inside knitted bag, fold over ¾" (2 cm) at top, and whipstitch (see Glossary) in place just below CO/BO edge.
Other Embellishments
Thread a ¼" (6 mm) ribbon through the eyelet band. Thread 2" ribbon through vintage belt buckle and tie into a big bow. Secure with a few sts and attach to purse as desired.
More Extras
For extra embellishment, make two 2" (5 cm) pom-poms (see pom-pom), one with A and one with D. Make 2 knitted chains (one with A and one with D) as foll:
Begin with a sl st on larger needle, k1, slip st from right-hand needle to left-hand needle; rep from * until piece measures about 10" (25.5 cm). Fasten off.
Attach pom-poms to chains of like color, then secure chains to bamboo handles. If desired, thread a purchased flower corsage through the belt buckle and secure with a few sts.
April
Knitted flowers and buttons embellish this quick and simple—and très chic—bolero. For both versions, I knitted the flowers with bits of Grace Silk and Wool in soft dusky pastel shades, then attached them to the left front with complementary buttons. The blossom-shaped buttons come from a fabulous Parisian store called La Droguerie; check out thrift stores for vintage buttons in your area. A satin ribbon tied with a generous bow adds feminine grace.
FINISHED SIZE
About 31¾ (33¾, 35¾, 38, 40½, 42¼)" (80.5 [85.5, 90.5, 96.5, 103, 107.5] cm) bust circumference with about 1" to 2" (2.5 to 5 cm) ease. Sweater shown measures 31¾" (80.5 cm).
YARN
Chunky weight (#5 Bulky).
SHOWN HERE: Louisa Harding Hulda (50% wool, 30% acrylic, 20% linen; 110 yd [100 m]/50 g): #13 Olive, 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) balls.
Louisa Harding Rossetti (67% merino wool, 28% silk, 5% polyamide; 76 yd [70 m]/50 g): #6 Heather, 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9) balls.
NEEDLES
Body: size U.S. 10 (6 mm).
Edging: size U.S. 8 (5 mm).
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
NOTIONS
Hulda version: Tapestry needle; 18 flower-shaped buttons in assorted sizes and colors; 78" (2 m) of 1½" (3.8 cm) ribbon; matching sewing thread; sharp-point sewing needle; oddments of yarn, each about 3¼ yd (3 m) long, in assorted colors for knitted flowers.
Rossetti version: Tapestry needle; 16 mother-of-pearl buttons in assorted sizes; 78" (2 m) of 3/8" (1 cm) ribbon; matching sewing thread; sharp-point sewing needle; oddments of yarn, each about 3¼ yd (3 m) long for knitted flowers.
GAUGE
15 stitches and 20 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on larger needles.
Hulda version.
Back
With larger needles, CO 51 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71) sts. Beg with a RS row, work 6 rows in St st (knit RS rows; purl WS rows).
INC ROW: (RS) K3, M1 (see Glossary), knit to last 3 sts, M1, k3—2 sts inc’d.
Work 5 rows even in St st. Rep the last 6 rows 3 more times—59 (63, 67, 71, 75, 79) sts. Work even until piece measures 8" (20.5 cm) from CO, ending with a WS row.
Shape Armholes
BO 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then BO 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3) sts at beg of foll 2 rows—49 (51, 53, 55, 59, 61) sts rem.
DEC ROW: (RS) K3, k2tog, knit to last 5 sts, ssk, k3—2 sts dec’d.
Purl 1 WS row. Rep the last 2 rows 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) more times—45 (47, 47, 49, 51, 53) sts rem. Work even until armholes measure 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" (18 [18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5] cm), ending with a WS row.
Shape Shoulders
Right Shoulder
BO 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts at beg of next 2 rows—37 (39, 39, 41, 41, 43) sts rem.
NEXT ROW: (RS) BO 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts, knit until there are 6 (7, 7, 8, 7, 8) sts on right-hand needle, turn work—6 (7, 7, 8, 7, 8) right shoulder sts; rem 27 (28, 28, 29, 29, 30) sts will be worked later for neck and left shoulder. With WS facing, BO 3 sts, purl to end—3 (4, 4, 5, 4, 5) sts rem. BO rem sts.
Left Shoulder
With RS facing, keep center 17 sts on holder, rejoin yarn to held sts, BO center 17 sts, knit to end—10 (11, 11, 12, 12, 13) sts rem. With WS facing, BO 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts, purl to end—6 (7, 7, 8, 7, 8) sts rem. With RS facing, BO 3 sts, knit to end—3 (4, 4, 5, 4, 5) sts rem. BO rem sts.
Left Front
With larger needles, CO 23 (25, 27, 29, 31, 33) sts. Beg with a RS row, work 2 rows in St st.
INC ROW 1: (RS) Knit to last 3 sts, M1, k3—1 st inc’d.
Work 1 WS row even. Rep the last 2 rows once more—25 (27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts.
INC ROW 2: (RS) K3, M1, knit to last 3 sts, M1, k3—27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) sts.
Work 5 rows even in St st.
INC ROW 3: (RS) K3, M1, knit to end—1 st inc’d.
Work 5 rows even in St st. Rep the last 6 rows 2 more times—30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) sts. Work even until piece measures 8" (20.5 cm) from CO, ending with a WS row.
Shape Armhole and Neck
At armhole edge (beg of RS rows), BO 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts once, then BO 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3) sts once—25 (26, 27, 28, 30, 31) sts rem. Work 1 WS row even.
DEC ROW 1: (RS)
K3, k2tog, knit to last 5 sts, ssk, k3—2 sts dec’d.
Work 1 WS row even. Rep the last 2 rows 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) more time(s)—21 (22, 21, 22, 22, 23) sts rem. Purl 1 WS row.
DEC ROW 2: (RS) Knit to last 5 sts, ssk, k3—1 st dec’d.
Rep the last 2 rows 9 (9, 8, 8, 7, 7) more times—11 (12, 12, 13, 14, 15) sts rem. Work even until armhole measures 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" (18 [18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5] cm), ending with a WS row.
Shape Shoulder
At armhole edge, BO 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts 2 times, then BO rem 3 (4, 4, 5, 4, 5) sts.
Right Front
With larger needles, CO 23 (25, 27, 29, 31, 33) sts. Beg with a RS row, work 2 rows in St st.
INC ROW 1: (RS) K3, M1, knit to end—1 st inc’d.
Work 1 WS row even. Rep the last 2 rows once more—25 (27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts.
INC ROW 2: (RS) K3, M1, knit to last 3 sts, M1, k3—27 (29, 31, 33, 35, 37) sts.
Work 5 rows even in St st.
INC ROW 3: (RS) Knit to last 3 sts, M1, k3—1 st inc’d.
Work 5 rows even in St st. Rep the last 6 rows 2 more times—30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) sts. Work even until piece measures 8" (20.5 cm) from CO, ending with a RS row.
Shape Armhole and Neck
At armhole edge (beg of WS rows), BO 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts once, then BO 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3) sts once—25 (26, 27, 28, 30, 31) sts rem.
DEC ROW 1: (RS) K3, k2tog, knit to last 5 sts, ssk, k3—2 sts dec’d.
Work 1 WS row even. Rep the last 2 rows 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) more time(s)—21 (22, 21, 22, 22, 23) sts rem. Purl 1 WS row.
DEC ROW 2: (RS) K3, k2tog, knit to end—1 st dec’d.
Rep the last 2 rows 9 (9, 8, 8, 7, 7) more times—11 (12, 12, 13, 14, 15) sts rem. Work even until armhole measures 7 (7, 7½, 7½, 8, 8)" (18 [18, 19, 19, 20.5, 20.5] cm), ending with a RS row.
Shape Shoulder
At armhole edge, BO 4 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5) sts 2 times, then BO rem 3 (4, 4, 5, 4, 5) sts.
Sleeves
With smaller needles, work the picot CO as folls: *Use the cable method (see Glossary) to CO 5 sts, BO 2 sts, sl st on right-hand needle back onto left-hand needle; rep from * until there are 33 (33, 33, 33, 36, 36) sts, use the cable method to CO 0 (0, 2, 2, 1, 1) more st(s)—33 (33, 35, 35, 37, 37) sts. Work 4 rows in garter st. Change to larger needles. Beg with a RS row, work 6 rows in St st.
INC ROW: (RS) K3, M1, knit to last 3 sts, M1, k3—2 sts inc’d.
Work 5 rows even in St st. Rep the last 6 rows 4 more times—43 (43, 45, 45, 47, 47) sts. Work even until piece measures 10" (25.5 cm) from CO, ending with a WS row.
Shape Cap
BO 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) sts at beg of next 2 rows—37 (35, 37, 35, 37, 35) sts rem.
DEC ROW 1: (RS) Ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog—2 sts dec’d.
DEC ROW 2: (WS) P2tog, purl to last 2 sts, ssp (see Glossary)—2 sts dec’d.
Rep Dec Row 1 once more, then every other row 2 more times, then every 4th row 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4) times, then every other row 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 1) time(s)—19 (17, 19, 17, 17, 15) sts rem.
NEXT ROW: (WS) Rep Dec Row 2—2 sts dec’d.
NEXT ROW: (RS) Rep Dec Row 1—2 sts dec’d.
NEXT ROW: (WS) Rep Dec Row 2—13 (11, 13, 11, 11, 9) sts rem.
BO 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows—7 (5, 7, 5, 5, 3) sts rem. BO all sts.
Finishing
Block pieces to finished measurements. With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, use a mattress st (see Glossary) to sew fronts to back at shoulders. Sew left side seam in the same way. Weave in loose ends.
Lower Edging
With smaller needles, RS facing, and beg at right side seam, pick up and knit 23 (25, 27, 29, 31, 33) sts along right front CO edge, 6 sts around curve, 25 sts along right front edge to start of neck shaping, 27 (27, 29, 29, 31, 31) sts along right front neck edge to shoulder, 3 sts in BO neck sts, k17 held back neck sts, pick up and knit 3 sts in BO neck sts, 27 (27, 29, 29, 31, 31) sts along left front neck to end of neck shaping, 25 sts along left front edge, 6 sts around curve, 23 (25, 27, 29, 31, 33) sts along left front CO edge, and 51 (55, 59, 63, 67, 71) sts across back CO edge—236 (244, 256, 264, 276, 284) sts total. Knit 1 WS row.
INC ROW: (RS) K24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34), M1, [k2, M1] 2 times, k128 (128, 132, 132, 136, 136), [M1, k2] 2 times, M1, knit to end—242 (250, 262, 270, 282, 290) sts.
Knit 2 rows. With WS facing, work picot BO as foll: BO 5 (4, 4, 3, 3, 5) sts, *sl st on right-hand needle back onto left-hand needle, use the cable method to CO 2 sts, BO 5 sts; rep from * to end.
Seams
With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, use a mattress st to sew right side seam. Sew sleeve seams. Sew sleeve caps into armholes, matching centers of BO edges to shoulder seams and easing to fit into armholes.
Ribbon Ties
Cut ribbon in two equal lengths. Measure 4" (10 cm) up from CO edge of right front. With sewing thread and sharp-point sewing needle, make a small turn-back seam in ribbon, then sew to WS of right front with small whipstitches (see Glossary). Rep for left front.
Flowers (make 14)
With appropriate size needles to match the oddments of yarn, CO 36 sts.
ROW 1: *K1, BO 4 sts (2 sts on needle); rep from * to end—12 sts rem.
Thread yarn through rem sts, pull tight, and secure into flower shape with a few stitches.
Pin the flowers randomly on left front and sew in place with yarn. Sew a flower-shaped button to center of each knitted flower. Attach other flower-shaped buttons as desired.
Marigold
I sometimes feel a deep connection to my grandmother and the women of her generation, the original recyclers. They never threw anything away that could be reused or reworked. In homage to that practice, this purse includes charms from a broken charm bracelet that has been waiting for a flash of inspiration. I worked the charms into the picot edging at the top of the purse. I enjoy carrying the sentiment of my bracelet in a new guise.
FINISHED SIZE
About 8½" (21.5 cm) wide and 10" (25.5 cm) long.
YARN
Chunky weight (#5 Bulky).
SHOWN HERE: Louisa Harding Millais (50% wool, 50% acrylic; 65 yd [60 m]/50 g): #2 Cottage Rose, 2 balls.
NEEDLES
Body: size U.S. 10½ (7 mm).
Flounce and eyelet band: size U.S. 10 (6 mm).
Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
NOTIONS
31 assorted charms or beads; stitch holder; 79"(2 m) of ⅝" (1.5 cm) ribbon; 48 size 6° pewter glass beads; eighteen ½" (1.3 cm) flower-shaped sequins, piece of felt measuring 9" (23 cm) wide and 20" (51 cm) long for lining; sharp-point sewing needle and matching thread.
GAUGE
13 stitches and 15 rows = 4" (10 cm) in lace pattern on larger needles.
Notes
Although I used charms, you can substitute beads in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
If the holes in the charms or beads are too small, thread a fine wire through the beads, twist the wire into a loop, and thread the yarn through the wire loop.
Purse
Flounce
Thread 31 beads or charms onto yarn. With smaller needles, work beaded picot CO as foll: Use the cable method (see Glossary) to CO 4 sts, *slide a charm or bead up to work, BO 2 sts, sl st on right-hand needle onto left-hand needle (2 sts on left-hand needle); rep from * 30 more times (62 sts on needle), use the cable method to CO 1 st—63 sts total.
Beg with a RS row, work 2 rows in St st (knit RS rows; purl WS rows). Place sts on holder. Cut yarn.
Body
With larger needles, CO 63 sts. Beg with a RS row, work 2 rows in St st. Work Rows 1–16 of Lace chart 2 times. Beg with a RS row, work 2 rows in St st, ending with a WS row.
Join Flounce
Place 63 held flounce sts on spare needle and hold WS of flounce in front of RS of body. With smaller needles, join the pieces by knitting the sts on the two needles tog as if to k2tog—63 sts.
LACE CHART
; Eyelet Band
Work 2 rows in garter st (knit every row).
EYELET ROW: (WS) K1, p1, *yo, p2tog; rep from * to last st, k1.
Work 3 rows in garter st, ending with a RS row. With WS facing, BO all sts knitwise.
Finishing
Weave in loose ends. Block to finished measurements.
Assembly
With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, use a mattress st (see Glossary) to sew side seams, working the selvedge st in the seam allowance. Fold piece in half with seam at center back. With RS facing, use a whipstitch (see Glossary) to sew lower edge of bag (CO edge) closed.
Embellishments
With sharp-point sewing needle and matching thread, sew a charm or bead to each CO st at lower edge of purse.
Sew a flower sequin to the center of each lace motif, adding a pewter bead in the center of each.
Cut ribbon in half. Beg at opposite sides of the purse, thread each length in and out of the eyelet holes at the top of the purse. Knot the ends.
Knitting in the Details Page 8