These unusual purses combine some design elements from theCrazy Quilt Jacket with the shape and structure of the Lady Jane Purses. They are truly challenging and fun to create, and your finished products will be show-stoppers. You can use your stash for the multicolor versions! There are 2 sizes included in this pattern; I knitted the larger in hot colors, and the smaller in cooler tones. Both designs look great in one color as well. Your choice of yarns will make your project a unique and functional work of art.

This design, inspired by my Crazy Quilt sweater and jacket, offers the challenge you’ve come to expect from
Not Just Plain Jane Knits, combined with the ease and portability of a small project. All the complex calculations are done for you, so you can just knit!

The gauge is 5 sts = 1” on a size 6 needle; you can achieve other sizes above, below, or between these by varying your needle size and/or weight of yarn.

You can use as many or as few colors and textures as you like. For the multicolor purses, areas where textured yarns (just an option – not a requirement) would be appropriate are in boldface type. Here are the yarn requirements to make both multicolored and solid purses (DK, worsted-wt and novelty yarns):

Multicolor Version (suggestions)
1 skein brick @ 109 yds
1 skein copper @ 147 yds
1 skein coral @ 109 yds
1 skein forest @ 81 yds
1 skein gold @ 100 yds
3 skeins green @ 100 yds
3 skeins orange @ 100 yds
1 skein peach @ 109 yds
1 skein each fuzzy, multi, cocoa, rust and asst textured novelties, including ribbon
1 skein sage @ 100 yds
1 skein toast @ 109 yds
1 skein yellow @ 109 yds

Solid-Color Version
5 skeins @ 108 yds
2 skeins @ 120 yds contrasting color (color B)

Needles: 2 pairs straight size 6 (or smaller for smaller sized purses)

Sundries: crochet hook size D
DPN
stitch markers
bobbins
10”X20” piece cardboard or plywood for bottom of bags
1½ yds (smaller bag) or 2 yds (larger bag) lining and interfacing
leather handles
12” (smaller bag) or 16” (larger bag) vanity or doctor bag purse frame
optional: 6 1” buttons with shanks and 6 cotter pins (for feet)

Note: Numbers in boldface at the end of certain rows indicate the total number of sts left unworked at that
end unless specified otherwise.

It is important that you keep all strands in order and use them as recommended; remember to always twist yarns on the wrong side of your work.

Please follow all instructions exactly; as with my other multidirectional and diagonally-knit designs, deviating from the specific calculations will give an unsatisfactory result.