A purse is one of the easiest knit projects after scarves and dishcloths

A knit purse is a flat rectangle you fold in half and seam up the sides — the same basic construction as a scarf, but smaller and with a closure. You can make one with just knit stitch, the same stitch you use for a beginner scarf. The main difference is that a purse needs a lining (which you can sew in by hand) and a way to close (a button, a snap, or a drawstring). Most purses take between 10 and 20 hours of knitting time, depending on yarn weight and how large you want it.

The process breaks into five steps: choose your yarn and needles, cast on stitches, knit the rectangle, bind off, and sew it together. You do not need any stitches beyond knit and purl, and you do not need to increase or decrease. If you have finished a scarf, you have the skills to knit a purse.

Key Takeaways

  • A basic purse is a rectangle of stockinette stitch (knit on the front, purl on the back) folded in half and sewn on two sides.
  • Choose a yarn weight between worsted and bulky so the purse holds its shape and knits up in a reasonable time.
  • Cast on 30 to 40 stitches and knit until the rectangle is roughly twice as long as it is wide, then fold it in half to check the proportions.
  • Sew the sides with mattress stitch (a seam that runs up the edge of your knitting) and add a lining and closure after the purse is assembled.
  • A drawstring or button closure is simpler than a zipper and does not require special tools.

Choosing yarn weight and needle size

Worsted weight yarn (also called medium or #4) is the best starting point for a purse. It knits up fast, holds its shape well, and is straightforward to work with. Bulky yarn (#5) will finish even faster but may look too loose and floppy for a purse. Fingering or sport weight (#1 or #2) will take much longer and may feel too delicate to hold coins or keys.

Match your needle size to the yarn label. Most worsted yarn calls for US 8 to 10 needles. If you knit tightly, go up a size; if you knit loosely, go down a size. The goal is a fabric that feels firm enough to hold its shape but not so tight that it is hard to work with. You will need between 400 and 600 yards of yarn depending on how large you want the purse and how thick the yarn is.

Solid colors show off your knitting better than variegated or striped yarn, especially if this is your first purse. You will also need a tapestry needle (a blunt needle with a large eye) for seaming, and optionally a lining fabric, a button or snap, and thread that matches your yarn.

Casting on and planning your rectangle

Cast on 30 to 40 stitches using the long-tail cast-on or the cable cast-on — both create a neat edge that looks good on a purse. The exact number depends on how wide you want the purse to be. A purse that is 6 inches wide when laid flat is a good size for a phone or small wallet; that usually takes 32 to 36 stitches in worsted weight.

Write down how many stitches you cast on and measure the width of your cast-on edge with a ruler. Divide the width by the number of stitches to find your gauge — how many stitches fit in one inch. For example, if 36 stitches measure 4 inches, your gauge is 9 stitches per inch. You will use this number to figure out how long to knit.

A purse that is 6 inches wide and 8 inches tall (before folding) will make a finished purse about 6 inches wide and 4 inches tall. To reach 8 inches, you need to knit until your rectangle measures 8 inches from the cast-on edge. Check this with a ruler every few inches as you knit.

Knitting the body in stockinette stitch

Knit every row on the right side and purl every row on the wrong side. This creates stockinette stitch, the smooth V-pattern you see on most store-bought sweaters. It is the easiest stitch to work with for a purse because it lies flat and does not curl as much as garter stitch (knit every row).

Knit in a consistent rhythm and try to keep your tension even — not too tight, not too loose. Uneven tension will show as bumpy rows, but it does not affect how the purse works. If you drop a stitch, pick it up with a crochet hook before it runs down more than a few rows. If you make a mistake several rows back, you can frog (pull out the yarn and start over from that point), but for a first purse, a small mistake is not worth the time to fix.

Keep measuring your rectangle as you go. When it reaches the length you planned (usually 8 to 10 inches), stop knitting and bind off all stitches. Bind off loosely so the edge does not pucker — if your bind-off edge looks tight, you can go up a needle size just for that row.

Seaming the sides with mattress stitch

Fold your rectangle in half lengthwise, with the right side facing out. Thread your tapestry needle with a length of yarn (about 18 inches) and weave it under the bumps on the edge of one side, going up the seam line. The bumps are the horizontal bars between stitches on the edge of your knitting. Go up one side, then come back down the other side, pulling gently so the seam closes and the edges meet.

Mattress stitch creates an invisible seam that looks like a line of knitting running up the edge. It takes practice to get it smooth, but even a bumpy seam is stronger and neater than a whip stitch. Weave in the yarn ends with your tapestry needle before you move on.

Once both sides are seamed, you have a tube. Fold the tube flat so the seams run down the sides, and you have a purse shape. Try it on — does it feel the right size? Is it wide enough for what you want to carry? If you want it wider or taller, you now know the measurements for your next purse.

Adding a lining and closure

A lining keeps coins and keys from poking through the knitting and makes the purse look finished inside. Cut two rectangles of lining fabric the same size as your knitted rectangle, plus a half-inch seam allowance on all sides. Sew the two pieces together on three sides with a sewing machine or by hand, then slide the lining into your purse and hand-stitch the opening closed with thread that matches the lining.

For a closure, a button is the simplest option. Sew a button to the front flap of your purse (fold the top edge down about an inch and sew the button through both layers), then make a loop on the back flap by chaining a few stitches with yarn and a crochet hook, or by sewing a small loop of yarn. A drawstring is even easier — thread a cord or yarn through the top edge of the purse using a tapestry needle, and tie the ends together.

A snap or magnetic closure works too, but requires special tools to install. For a first purse, stick with a button or drawstring so you can finish the project with tools you already have.

Fixing common mistakes and next steps

If your purse comes out lopsided, the seams are probably uneven. This does not affect how it works, but if it bothers you, you can practice mattress stitch on a scrap before seaming your next purse. If the fabric feels too loose or floppy, you knit too loosely — try going down a needle size on your next project. If it feels stiff or hard to fold, you knit too tightly — go up a size next time.

Once you have made one purse, you can experiment with color changes, textured stitches like seed stitch or ribbing, or a larger size. You can also try a gusseted purse (one with a flat bottom and sides that stand up) or a frame purse (one with a metal clasp at the top). All of these are variations on the same basic rectangle, so your first purse teaches you the skills for all of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to knit a purse?

A small purse in worsted weight yarn usually takes 10 to 20 hours of knitting time. If you knit for an hour a day, that is about two weeks. Bulky yarn is faster; fingering weight is slower. Your speed also depends on how comfortable you are with the knit stitch — beginners often take longer than experienced knitters.

Do I have to use stockinette stitch?

No. Garter stitch (knit every row) works fine and is easier because you do not have to switch between knit and purl. It is thicker and less likely to curl, but it takes longer to knit the same size rectangle. Seed stitch and ribbing also work well for purses and add texture.

Can I knit a purse without a lining?

Yes, but a lining makes the purse last longer and look more polished. Without a lining, coins and keys can poke through the knitting and wear holes in it. A lining also hides the seams and the inside of your work, which is usually messier than the outside.

What if I want a bigger purse?

Cast on more stitches and knit for a longer length. If you want it twice as wide, cast on twice as many stitches. If you want it twice as tall, knit until the rectangle is twice as long. You will need more yarn — estimate 800 to 1000 yards for a large purse.

Can I add a zipper instead of a button?

Yes, but it requires sewing a zipper into the top edge of the purse, which is more difficult than sewing on a button. You will need a zipper the same width as your purse and a sewing machine or needle and thread. A drawstring or button is simpler for a first purse.