This is a pattern for a modern replica of the 17th-century knitted woolen pouch found with the Gunnister bog burial, unearthed in 1951. The body called “Gunnister Man” was found in a peat bog in the Shetland Islands, where he probably died in about 1690, based on the dates of a few coins found in this purse.

I adapted this pattern from information contained in A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt and in 17th Century Knitting Patterns by The Weaver’s Guild of Boston (unfortunately out of print).