Kate
Houndstooth
Pocketbook Pattern
By
Catherine J. Hall
This
purse pattern is adapted from one I came up with some time ago. The classic houndstooth
design is inspired by the large-scale motif on a beautiful dressing gown worn
by the glamorous Katharine Hepburn in the movie Adam's Rib. With this
pattern, you can cover any bag or purse in a stylish houndstooth
design. Here you'll find an example of
an inexpensive, zippered cosmetics pouch dressed up in knitted finery. A button holds the cover on, and the plastic
bag serves as a lining. Your new bag can
carry knitting needles and notions, or you can use it to wrap a gift. You can also use it as a wallet. There are even extra "hidden"
pockets for cash or receipts. The
pattern is a perfect introduction to Fair Isle knitting, even if you have never
attempted colorwork before.
So, head
to the dollar bin of your favorite department store and make yourself an
elegant pocketbook.
SIZE/MEASUREMENTS
Sample
purse is based around a zippered cosmetics pouch that is 6" wide by
4.5" high, but the pattern can be adapted to fit any size of a flat
plastic bag.
MATERIALS
Yarn –
Cascade
Yarn "Fixation", 98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic, 50
gr/100 yard
1 skein # 8990 Black
1 skein # 8001 White
Bag –
Zippered
plastic cosmetic pouch,
6" wide by 4.5" high*
Needles –
I
used Japanese 22cm (8") circular needles by Clover in size #4
You may use 30cm (12") circular
needles, or dpn's in the
appropriate size to achieve gauge
Notions –
Tapestry
needle
Button of your choice
Stitch marker
*NOTE -
This is the size of the sample bag. The
yarn, and therefore the knitted cover, is quite stretchy, so these measurements
do not have to match your bag exactly.
In addition, the pattern can be adapted easily to fit any flat bag you
may want to use as a lining.
GAUGE
26
stitches = 4 inches in pattern
No Longer Available
