Mini Messenger Bags

It has been said that a person’s choice of  purse, and how they carry it, tells a lot about that person.  Show off your ‘purse-onality’ with these darling mini messenger bags.  This quick little project is a fun way to use up yarn remnants from other projects.

Knitting Loom:  KB Hat Loom

Knitting Loom: All-n-One Loom

Yarn:  Small amount of worsted weight yarn

Notions:  Knitting tool, scissors, yarn needle, 8mm jump ring, keychain ring, button

Size:   Approximately 2” wide by 3.5” tall (including strap)

Instructions

Bag:

Leave a 10″ yarn tail, cast on 10 stitches using the double e-wrap cast on method.

Rows 1-30:  [K2, P2] 2 times, K2.

Rows 31-32:  Sl 1, P8, K1.

Rows 33-34:  Sl 1, K1, [P2, K2] 2 times.

Row 35:  Sl 1, K1, P2, K2, P2, K2tog.

Row 36:  Sl 1, P2, K2, P2, K2tog.

Row 37:  Sl 1, P2, K2, P1, K2tog.

Row 38:  Sl 1, P1, K2, P1, K2tog.

Row 39:  Sl 1, P1, K2, K2tog.

Row 40:  Sl 1, K2, K2tog.

Bind off using the basic bind off method.  The knitted piece will look like this:

Set aside for now.

Strap: Leaving a 5” yarn tail, cast on 2 stitches using the double e-wrap cast on method.

Rows 1-40:  Sl 1, K1.

Bind off using the basic bind off method, leaving a 5” yarn tail.  Gently pull on the strap to help set the stitches in place.  Set aside for now.

Assembly:

Working with the knitted piece for the bag, fold the cast on edge (bottom edge) up to meet the first purled row.

Thread the cast on yarn tail on to the tapestry needle. Seam the side of the bag closed.  Weave in the yarn end.  Cut another 10” length of yarn and seam the other side of the bag closed.  Weave in both yarn ends.  The bag will look like this:

Thread a yarn tail from one end of the knitted strap on to the tapestry needle.  Sew the strap to the side of the bag, near the flap:

Weave in the yarn tail.  Thread the yarn tail at the other end of the knitted strap on to the tapestry needle.  Pull the tapestry needle through the center of the jump ring and slide the jump ring to the center point of the knitted strap.  Now sew the strap to the other side of the bag:

Weave in the yarn tail.

Weave in the yarn tail on the flap at the top of the bag.  Fold the flap down over the front of the bag.  Sew a button to the front of the flap.  Use the jump ring to attach the knitted bag to the key ring.

 Happy purse knitting!