I was inspired by the fanny pack when I made this purse, but I wanted something that was softer and that could be worn like a shoulder bag, or a traditional fanny pack, and could also be worn as a soft, squashy cross body bag. 

I love the versatility of this little pouch. Rivet the handle onto the purse end for a lighter, entirely different look. 

Attach a JUL Flat Strap forager with chicago screws and you have yet another silhoette. Make a shorter handle out of a sleek, glossy fabric, sew it on with beaded stitches, decorate the purse with fabric roses, and all of a sudden you have a unique evening purse. 

Finished Dimensions

11” (27.5cm) wide across the front/back
16” (40cm) circumference on the sides

Pattern Difficulty

Easy: Requires knowledge of knitting and purling, knitting in the round and double-pointed needles.

Gauge

Pre-felted gauge: 20 stitches and 22 rounds = 4" (10cm) using a single-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Materials

Yarn Requirements 

Small Baguette

500 yds (457m)

Large Baguette

750 yds (686m)

Needles and Other Materials

Size 9 (5.5mm) 24" (60cm) circular needles
Size 9 (5.5mm) double-pointed needles
knitted strap
zipper with 2 bottom stops
2 buckles in gold-tone or nickel
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle
Nylon beading thread

Pictured Samples

Both of the bags pictured were created using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool. The bag on the front is pictured in Christmas Red. The bag on the back is pictured in Red.

These little bags are just perfect for sunny spring days. Every time I look at these bags, they make my spirit feel younger. With room for all of the necessities, take them everywhere your flip-flops will carry you. As a Spring Basket, make felted and decorate with stripes, dots, or small field flowers.

Finished Dimensions

4” (10cm)wide across the front/back at bag bottom
2” (5cm) deep
5” (13cm) tall

Pattern Difficulty

Intrepid beginner: Requires knowledge of knitting and purling, increasing and decreasing, picking up stitches, and working in the round on circular needles.

Gauge

Pre-felted gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Unfelted gauge: 16 stitches and 24 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Materials

Yarn Requirements

Wool Bags: 247 - 260 yds (226 - 238m)
Cotton Bags: 85 -90 yds (85 - 90m)

Needles & Other Materials

Size 11 (8mm) 16" circular needles for wool bags
Size 11 (8mm)  double-pointed needles (set)
Size 9 (5.5mm) 16" circular needles for cottong bags
Size 9 (5.5mm) double-pointed needles (set)
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle
Stitch markers
Nylon sewing thread

Cover Samples

The Unfelted cotton bag (front cover) pictured was created using worsted weight cotton in baby pink. The felted bags pictured were created using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool Hot Pink and Violet, Misty Blue and Baby Blue, and Lime.

I designed the sheep bag after being asked for a long time to design one. Choose from the Wooly Ewe and the Wooly Lamb - these two sizes are created by changing from a double-strand to single-strand of yarn and going down in needle size.

These two sheep are given their personality by the way you embroider on their faces, so use your favorite sheep as your model. Or, as I did, think of a celebrity sheep (Lamb chop) or the faces of your favorite illustrator (Maurice Sendak) to inspire your embroidery.

My little boy (4 when I first designed this bag) decided that the sheep should be his, which made me see that they would make terrific stuffed animals. Instead of putting a zipper in the back, simply stuff after felting and then sew closed for a wonderful wooly pal.

And, of course, you'll be the star of the Sheep & Wool Festival when you carry one of these bags with you!

Finished Dimensions

Woolly Lamb Bag

10" (25.5cm) from chest to rump
8" (20.3cm) bag opening
15" (38cm) girth

Woolly Ewe Bag

22" (56cm) from chest to rump
10"  (25.5cm) bag opening
22" (56cm) girth

Pattern Difficulty

Intrepid Beginner to Intermediate: Requires knitting, purling, working in the round on circular and double-pointed needles, some simple embroidery.

Gauge

Woolly Ewe

13 stitches and 16 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn on size 11 (8mm) needles.

Woolly Lamb

16 stitches and 22 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn on size 6 (4mm) needles.

Materials

Yarn Requirements

Woolly Lamb Bag

430 yds (393m) worsted weight feltable wool in white or black (A)
100 yds (91m) worsted weight feltable wool in brown (B)

Woolly Ewe Bag  

1,260 yds (1,152m) worsted weight feltable wool in white or black (A)
150 yds (137m) worsted weight feltable wool in brown (B)

Field Flowers

1 skein of flower color will make a whole field of flowers. Each flower requires approximately 10 yards of yarn.

NOTE:  The flowers you see on the ground on the front cover are Noni Forget-me-nots and are not included in this pattern.

Needles & Other Materials

Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle
Nylon beading thread
Noni 30" (76cm) custom YKK zipper with 2 bottom stops
Handful of polyester Fiberfill to stuff head and legs

Woolly Lamb Bag
Size 6 (4mm) 12" (30cm) or 16" (41cm) circular and double-pointed needles

Woolly Ewe Bag
Size 11 (8mm) 24" (60cm) circular and double-pointed needles

Field Flowers
Size 3 (3.25mm) set of double-pointed needles

Pictured Samples

Pictured Sheep were made with Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool in White and Brown.

This sophisticated bag is decorated with five small camellia flowers on the front. Understated. . . it has a subtle dazzle. Line it with an unexpected silk brocade and you'll delight in searching for your keys.

Camellia flower instructions included.

The colors and undulating I-cord embellishment evoke the waves of the ocean, while the flash of the paillettes recalls the dash and dazzle of tiny fish swimming in unison. A great little bag in green. And just picture it in grey and black for Fall 2006!

A variation of Fish Scales, this bag, knitted in cream with pastel iridescent paillettes turning this way and that over a pastel mohair ruff, is a bit more understated. It is the perfect companion in Spring, on a hot Summer night with a pretty pastel dress, or with that white outfit you're saving for a frigid winter day.

Finished Dimensions

9 to 9 to 9

7 1/2" (19cm) wide
3" (7.6cm) deep
7 1/2" (19cm) tall

Green Fish Scales & White Coral Bag

5 1/2" (14cm) wide
3" (7.6cm) deep
7" (17.8cm) tall

Pattern Difficulty

Intrepid Easy: Requires knowledge of casting on, knitting and purling, picking up stitches in knitted fabric, increasing and decreasing, knitting in the round on circular needles, and some hand-sewing during the finishing process.

Guage

Pre-felted gauge: 12 stitches and 16 rounds = 4" (10cm) in St st with a double-strand of worsted weight yarn.

Materials

Yarn Requirements

9 to 9 to 9

450 yds (412m) Black

Purple Camellias

225 yds (205.75m) Raspberry

Maribou Feathers

120 yds (109.75m) novelty fur type yarn, Black

Green Fish Scale

450 yds (412m) Lime
225 yds (205.75m) Spring Green

White Coral

450 yds (412m) White
225 yds thin gauge mohair Pale Pink, Seafoam, or Cream

Needles and Other Materials

Size 11 (8mm) 24" (60cm) circular needle
Size 8 (5mm) needles
Stitch Markers
2 acrylic purse handles
600 20 mm "mermaid green" paillettes for Fish Scales
200 2mm iridescent white paillettes for Coral
Noni Best Sew in Closure for Evening Bag
11 1/4 x 13 1/2 in sheet of stiffener
4-6 Noni 24mm Bag feet

Pictured Samples

All bags were created using Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool. 9 to 9 to 9 is pictured in Black. The purple Camellias are done in Raspberry. Green Fish Scales is pictured in Lime and Spring Green. Coral bag pictured in White.

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