Cabled purse

I was shopping for a Christmas present for my very fashion-conscious sister-in-law when I saw a knitted purse in a high-end clothing store. Instead of paying the $150 for the purse, I decided to make it myself!

I took a picture of the purse and made up a pattern for it by combining and altering several cable patterns from Traditional Aran Knitting by Shelagh Hollingworth. I then sewed on leather handles and lined it with fabric so that it could function well as a purse. The purse was a success and saved me over $100, which is very nice considering I am a 19-year-old college student and saving money is important.

It was the first time I had made up a pattern and I learned many new techniques, such as how to knit bobbles. I used a now discontinued yarn, but comparable to Lion Brand's Wool Ease yarn on size 8 needles. I knitted the front and back panels identically, and I knitted a long garter stitch panel for the sides and bottom. I sewed them all together with a machine. For the side tabs, I knitted a single cable and attached by hand with buttons.

I added pictures of the purse that I drew my inspiration from. As you can see, the purse I made is not exactly the same (I learned after making it how I should have done it to make it identical), but I have grown to like my design well :)

Comments

[Kipara]

Please email pattern to [e-mail]

[teresafelina]

I love it!! Would you send me the pattern, please? My email [e-mail]

[Songbird4god]

That is so beautiful!!
Would you send me your pattern and instructions? Thank You!!
[e-mail]

[humearielle1]

I would love the pattern and instruction please?! My e-mail is [e-mail]
Thanks in advance, this is an amazing job! I give you props, I wouldn't have the patience.

[dryherd]

You did an amazing job with this. I would love to give this pattern a shot; my mom loves purses and I bet she'd love this. My e-mail is tsukishine at gmail.com

[sbates5]

sorry forgot to add my email, it would be [e-mail] thank you so much, hope the gf likes it too .

[sbates5]

heya, came accross this, and I was looking to knit a purse and wallet for my gf, trying to step it up for xmas, after the basic scarf. ;) I would love it if you could share this pattern, as it would be cool for me to try my best to recreate this wonderful bag. thks. x

[aboard]

Could I get the pattern for this? I absolutely love it. My email is: [e-mail]

[kblalock]

Could I please get this pattern?
[e-mail]
Thanks in advance :)

[wrongsideofthemirror]

Hi, that is the cutest purse I've ever seen! I'm just starting into knitting, and I would love to try to make one for myself - could you please email me the pattern you created? My email is [e-mail]
Thanks for sharing such an adorable design, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you come up with!!
Ciara

[isanavland]

Hi, I loved your purse! It's so beautiful. Could I get your pattern? Thank you in advance for sharing!
Isabel
[e-mail]
:0)

[dmendoza7]

Your purse it amazing! I would love to try the pattern, can you please send it to me at [e-mail], thank you so much!

[smk107]

This is a gorgeous purse. I would LOVE the pattern. I just mastered cables and knitted a small cable purse but it doesn't compare to yours... Thanks for sharing your purse.

[jrc0610]

The pattern is in a word document, so if you give me your email address, I can email it to you.

[atremaine]

anyway you could email me the pattern... [e-mail].... thanks bunches

[nerdette]

me too pretty please!!
[e-mail]

[marty21]

Hi! I would love to get the pattern too :) My email is [e-mail] thank you so much

[bftmc9q]

Could I get the pattern for your cabled. purse. It is so nice. Thank you. My email address is [e-mail]. Again, thank you.

[rockymountbet]

JRC Your bag is breathtaking. You are so talented. I too would like to have your pattern for it. Please send it to [e-mail]

[lalita]

JRC your work is awesome. I would like to receive your pattern and try to do something as beautiful as you did. Thank you. Lalita

[jrc0610]

Lalita, I would love to send you my pattern. If you just send me a message here on instructables with your email address, I can send it to you via email because it's in a word document.

[lalita]

So sorry, my e-mail is [e-mail]

[porcupinemamma]

Have I missed something? Is this a galery only? I didn't know Instructables had a gallery. I've always thought that the site meant instructions had to be included in the post. Wondering...

[SweetCharms]

I love it! may I please have the patterns? [e-mail]. Thank You.

[Niccupp]

This is a beautiful purse. Could you send me the pattern? Niccupp @ yahoo . com (remove spaces)

[kitty897]

Like everyone who sees it I too think your purse is gorgeous and would love the pattern. Could you please sent it to me, my email is [e-mail]. Thank you so much for being generous and giving your pattern out for us to enjoy.

[melmc30]

this is the nicest knit purse i have ever seen can you email the pattern to [e-mail] ?

[robicars]

I love the pattern, if it is still available, please email to [e-mail]. This will make a great gift for my daughter this Xmas.

Thanks a bunch for posting it.

[zeldaa]

absolutely beautiful. could you send me the pattern would love to make it [e-mail] thanks in advance diana

[lkliner]

Absolutely love it! I'd love the pattern please! [e-mail] Thank you so much!

[macropidia]

Looks great! I'd love to have a copy of the pattern if possible please........... [e-mail]

[danielleisgreen]

That is gorgeous! Good work on formulating a pattern. If you still have it, could you email a copy to [e-mail]?
Thank you!

[lady55]

I would love this pattern too.  Please can you send it to [e-mail].  Thank you very much.

[feistymiss]

i would love to ask for this pattern.  its so clever.  [e-mail].  thank you so much

[feistymiss]

i liked this idea too, but like others thought it could be adapted and would welcome a copy of your pattern if it is still available.  its a great idea, thank you

[BABYDIVA]

Wow I love this purse!!! I am new here this is the first project I have come across that I absolutly love!!! Could you please e-mail me the pattern. [e-mail]. Thanks So Much!!!!!! You did an awsome job I love yours better the the one that was 150.00 lol!!!

[hollybd]

beautiful purse, well done! you have an eye for design. I would love to have the pattern for this and make one for myself [e-mail]. thanks so much!

[firefly84]

Please can i have the pattern for this [e-mail]

[nerdette]

Can I please have a copy too? [e-mail]

[jessw1986]

 Please please please may I have the pattern for this, it's gorgeous!!! My email address is [e-mail] Thanks in advance :D

[Kay359]

Love your purse! If your still sending the pattern, i would love getting a copy.  my email is [e-mail]

[mmflygirl]

Could I please try to make your beautiful pattern, my email is [e-mail] Thank you

[asteriskchick]

That purse looks gorgeous, I have some friends who love high-end purses and bags and this would be a great x-mas present for them! (and for me since I'm also a college student on a budget) do you think you could send the pattern to me as well, I'm not quite as daring as you to just go off the photos! Thanks, Katie- [e-mail]

[nobodysfool]

I think I will try this idea using an old sweater I´ll buy in a thrift store for like a dollar hehehe (I´m lazy ), I´ll save both money and time lol, great Instructable BTW.

[Tamaresque]

As soon as I saw it, that's exactly what I thought, too. Although I'm a pretty good knitter and I'm quite happy to knit Aran cables, bobbles, etc. the cost of wool / yarn is pretty steep and I think buying a jumper would make for a good sized bag (or two) and maybe even some wallets from the sleeves, too!

[elefantita]

These are the cutest bags ever!!!....... they're just adorable.... I have a 13yr old daughter and I'm sure she'd love to have one, I'm not an expert but maybe I should try too.... could you please......... please send me the pattern to [e-mail]....... thanks in advance........

[Rkds]

hey great bag beautiful design. I was just wondering if you could please send me the pattern and order of construction of the bag please to [e-mail] this would be greatly and kindly appreciated thankyou

[pulaj66]

nice job if you like to send me ur pattern i will be very [e-mail]

[Deseree]

Lovely purse!! you are truly talented :) If you have time, can you please email me the pattern? Thank you [e-mail]

[Kippers__]

Wow, that's amazing. They're realy nice. My mum is teaching me to knit at the moment and I would love to aim for one of these! If it's no hassle please could i have a copie of the pattern. Sent to [e-mail] , Thanks!

[chasitybb]

Could I please get the pattern as well? Your fantastic!!! I love the look of these, they are VERY nicely done. Send it here. [e-mail]

[esobeso9898]

I loooove your purse!! Would you mind sending me the pattern plz? [e-mail] THANK YOU SO MUCH !

[macflutie]

this is a wonderful bag, and my daughter really likes it! Would it be possible to have the pattern emailed to me? macflutieATyahooDOTcom Thanks much!

[craftgirl]

This is great. Please, please can I have a copy of the pattern. [e-mail] Thank you

[snow106]

Could I please have a copy of the directions of your cable purse. Thank you.

[jrc0610]

The purse pattern is in a word document, so I need your email address in order to send it to you.

[Sonrics]

can you send me the derections to the purse plis [e-mail]

[Sonrics]

can you be nice and send me the pattern to my email [e-mail]

[Sonrics]

Hi I likes the purse you made I will like if you can send me the pattern to my email thank you. [e-mail]

[MimsysWhimsy]

This is beautiful! I think this might be the perfect gift for my sister this year! Please send instructions! Thanks [e-mail]

[pagina0562]

i absolutely love love it!! [e-mail], thanks!

[mamabok]

I love your purse! Please kindly send the pattern to [e-mail]

[lilmrssanders]

I love it my email is [e-mail]

[snow106]

May I have a copy too. [e-mail]

[thumbprint]

I'd love a copy of the pattern. [e-mail]

[tanabug]

I love this purse!

[jeter2477]

You are so talented to come up with this pattern.it is just so love it. I would love to get a copy of it to try it myself. Thanks. [e-mail]

[Rounds]

I'd love your pattern! thank you for sharing it with your fellow knitters - your creation is SUCH an inspiration! [e-mail]

[takito0917]

I love your awsome bag!
that was very creative of you. and its also eye catchy! =] great work you done.
and could I please have a copy of your pattern..._?
thanks!
[e-mail]

[pinoyexpress_27]

I love your purse it's very pretty. This is perfect for my fashionable niece. Kindly send me the pattern at [e-mail] Thanks....and keep up the good work.

[totie2g]

Your purse it awesome! I would love to try this pattern. Please send it to me at [e-mail] Thanks!

[jesuisravi]

I'd love the pattern for this as well, that looks professional.

[jrc0610]

Please send me your email address in a message, and I can email it to you.

[hueyloui]

Love Love this. Looking for a new project and this is calling my name. I would love the pattern. Can wait to get it. [e-mail] Thank You so much!!

[punkyc123]

ok... I just became a member JUST so I could comment on how much I love this bag! What a great job! Could you send a pattern to: [e-mail] ? Thanks!

[Ghynna]

Your bag is excellent!!! and I would to make this work, please send the pattern to [e-mail], Greetings from Peru, Thanks.

[safsew]

This is a magnificent bag and I would love to make one for my Mom. Please send the pattern to [e-mail]

[sunz]

Hi jrc0610, Your work is great! may I please have the payyern pls for the cables purse. My email address is [e-mail]. Look forward to ur email, Many thanks in advance!

[grisel]

Hola¡¡. I love your purse and PLEASE¡¡ send me your pattern. send it to [e-mail] thanks

[kfergu4023]

I too would love this pattern! It may be a little ambitious for someone who has yet to master cables, but I know it will motivate me. Thank you so much for making this available. Here is my email: [e-mail]

[BearyAnn]

I would love to try this. It is beautiful. I like the way you lined it and the button piece across the side. Please send me pattern. beary_ann at hotmail.com

[jlhoseyh]

this is a beautiful purse! i can't even imagine being able to create something like this without a pattern! I would love to give it a try if you could email me the pattern: [e-mail]. Thank you!

[djs1997]

Love this bag, can you e-mail me the pattern. [e-mail] Was it hard and where did you buy the handles.

[SANDYSSEWKNITS]

DEAR JRC. YOUR PURSE IS AWESOME. AND FOR A 19 YEAR OLD WHO CAN SIT STILL LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE SOMETHING FROM SCRATCH WITH NO PATTERN IS SIMPLY OUTSTANDING. I THINK YOU DID A TERRIFIC JOB. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. SS

[Zontee at Lion Brand]

Looks lovely! The lining's pretty too! I'm sure it's a great purse.

[liselrn]

This is truly awesome! You obviously are a very talented knitter! I would love to get a copy of your pattern. Please send it to [e-mail]. I'm in Indy! I've made a couple of purses and given them as gifts as well, but this one I'd like to make myself. What are you studying and where? I went to Purdue and have a degree in Nursing and Child Development. Take care!

[MotherofMany]

Beautiful purse! Please send me the pattern! [e-mail]

[poohskrnr]

I LOVE your purse!!! Are you going to share your pattern, because I want to make this purse!!!

[jrc0610]

I don't have the pattern right now as it is in Nebraska and I'm in Indiana, but I'll try to get it for you.

[DeniseMarie]

I would like to have the pattern too! Very nice work, and, so brave of you to make your own just from a photo of another!!! ([e-mail])

[poohskrnr]

You're in Indiana? So am I! That would be great if you could send me the pattern! Thanks so much!

[deadalchemist]

Beautiful! If you were to sell it, I guarantee you could get at least $150 for it! Great job, and yay for making your own stuff cheaper!

[GrammaCindy]

Awesome! I hope you do share this pattern as I would love to try this purse. I love aran and this looks like quite the challenge. I'll bet your sister-in-law was thrilled. Lucky girl....Thanks for sharing.

[cozycoleman]

Gorgeous!

[jessyratfink]

That looks really professional. Great job. :D

[GorillazMiko]

I love all the stuff with the cabled pattern, they're awesome. My aunt is good at this stuff, I might show her how to do the pattern, then she can make me all the stuff I want, yayyyy!