knitty.com

aiblhinn cathode belle epoque tempting candy mariah leftovers wavy
bob + weave cape may cross-country maryella v.tall socks muffy pasha
winecozytinselk. kozy peruvian mancala womb miss dashwood noa

by Vickie Howell

Hey, have you heard? Metallic is the new neutral for this season!

This glam little number was born after I scored a shiny new pair of gold sandals but couldn't find a purse to match them.

I wanted something quick, affordable and eye-catching so I headed to the craft store, bought some glitzy fabric and bamboo handles and had at it. The result was solid gold!

model: Vickie Howell photos: Clint Howell, Vickie Howell

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Each piece before sewing up
Length: 14 inches (including hem allowance)
Width: 12 inches (at widest point)

MATERIALS

1 yd. woven metallic fabric (knit fabrics will not fray properly)
Tip: I always buy an extra yard of fabric, just to be on the safe side. Working with shredded textiles is not an exact science, so yardage may vary depending on the fraying ratio and weight of
the fabric.
Set of bamboo purse handles
Vintage brooch (optional)
1 set of US#17/12mm needles
Rotary cutter
Quilter's square and self-healing mat
Large eye tapestry needle

Making Tinsel Yarn
Fold fabric in half, then in half again (piece of fabric is four layers deep).
Line long edge of fabric piece up along grainline marking of cutting mat.
Using grid markings as a guide and cutting perpendicular to folds, cut fabric into inch-wide strips.
Unfold strips and tie ends together to create yarn.
The fabric will fray -- this will create the fabulous tinsel effect!

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations can be found here]

GAUGE

8 sts/5 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch [may vary depending on width of fabric strips]

DIRECTIONS

Purse Piece (Make 2):
CO 24 sts.
Work in St st until piece measures 9 inches, ending with a WS row.
Next Row [RS]: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Next Row [WS]: P all sts. Rep these 2 rows twice more. 18 sts rem.
Cont in St st for 3 more inches (this forms hem allowance for attaching purse handle).
BO all sts.

FINISHING
Sew wide (bottom) edges of purse pieces together.
Seam together lower 6 inches of sides of purse.
Fold each hem allowance over one purse handle and sew in place.
Weave in all ends.
Pin a vintage brooch or button to the front and voila, you're all set for holiday accessory fabulousness!

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Vickie Howell is a mom, business owner, Austin Craft Mafia member, activist and host of Knitty Gritty, which airs on the DIY Network.

Her first knitting book, New Knits on the Block: A guide to knitting what your kids *really* want is due out on shelves in 2005.