Frosted Berry Basket Purse Free Pattern – A Knitted Winter Accessory

Frosted Berry Basket Purse Free Pattern – A Knitted Winter Accessory

Carry a touch of winter whimsy with this knitted mini purse shaped like a frosted berry basket, complete with a delicate snowflake charm. It's a cozy, textured accessory that adds a handmade sparkle to any cold-weather outfit. This pattern is perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike, offering a quick and satisfying project that results in a charming, functional accessory. The deep berry red yarn paired with a cream snowflake creates a beautiful contrast that evokes the frosty beauty of winter.

This purse is knitted flat in two pieces and seamed together, making it an excellent project for practicing basic knitting techniques like stockinette stitch, decreases, and I-cord. The crocheted snowflake charm adds a delightful finishing touch, and you can customize it with beads or buttons for extra sparkle. Whether you're making it for yourself or as a gift, this frosted berry basket purse is sure to become a favorite winter accessory.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in deep berry red (MC) and cream/white (CC), plus a small amount of gold or silver yarn for the charm (optional). Approximately 100-150 yards of MC and 20-30 yards of CC.
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge).
• Crochet Hook: US G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook for the snowflake charm.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch markers (optional), scissors.
• Optional Embellishments: Small button or bead for the center of the snowflake.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Always take time to check your gauge to ensure your purse turns out the correct size. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Purse Front (Make 1)

The front of the purse features a gently tapered shape that gives it the basket-like appearance. Follow these steps carefully:

1. With MC (berry red), cast on 24 stitches using your preferred method (long-tail cast on works well).
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row. This creates the main body of the purse front in stockinette stitch.

Shape Bottom:

5. Row 1 (RS): K2tog (knit two together), knit to the last 2 stitches, K2tog. (You will have 22 stitches.)
6. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
7. Repeat these 2 rows until 10 stitches remain, always ending with a wrong-side row. This creates the tapered, rounded bottom of the purse.
8. Next row (RS): K2tog across all stitches. (You will have 5 stitches.)
9. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then thread it through the remaining 5 stitches on the needle. Slide the stitches off the needle and pull the yarn tight to close the bottom. Weave in the end securely.

Purse Back (Make 1)

The back of the purse is worked flat without shaping, creating a straight edge for the top opening:

1. With MC, cast on 24 stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 1-2 until the piece measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge. This is slightly longer than the front to allow for the shaping of the front piece.
5. Bind off all stitches loosely. Weave in the ends.

Handle (Make 1)

The handle is a knitted I-cord, which creates a sturdy, round cord perfect for a purse strap:

1. With MC, cast on 6 stitches onto a double-pointed needle (or use the magic loop method on a circular needle).
2. I-cord technique: Knit the 6 stitches. Do not turn the work. Instead, slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. Pull the yarn across the back of the work and knit the 6 stitches again.
3. Repeat this process, always sliding the stitches to the other end and pulling the yarn across, until the cord measures 12 inches. The yarn will naturally create a tube as you work.
4. Bind off all stitches. Weave in the ends.

Snowflake Charm (Crochet)

This delicate snowflake adds the perfect frosty touch. If you're new to crochet, don't worry—this is a simple pattern:

1. With CC (cream/white), make a magic ring. If you're unfamiliar with magic rings, you can chain 4 and slip stitch to form a ring instead.
2. Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as first double crochet), work 11 double crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the chain-3. (You will have 12 double crochet.)
3. Round 2: Chain 1, single crochet in the same stitch. *Chain 5, slip stitch in the 3rd chain from the hook (this creates a small picot), chain 2, single crochet in the next double crochet, chain 3, single crochet in the next double crochet.* Repeat from * to * around, ending with a slip stitch to the first single crochet. This creates the six points of the snowflake.
4. Fasten off, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches) for sewing the charm to the purse.

Assembly

Now it's time to bring all the pieces together to create your beautiful purse:

1. Seaming: Place the front and back pieces together with right sides facing out (wrong sides together). The front piece should be slightly shorter than the back, with its shaped bottom aligning with the bottom of the back piece. Using MC and a tapestry needle, whip stitch around the sides and bottom of the purse, leaving the top open. Make sure your stitches are even and secure.
2. Attach Handle: Position the handle so it loops over the top opening. Attach each end of the I-cord handle to the inside top corners of the purse, sewing securely with MC yarn. Reinforce with a few extra stitches to ensure it can hold the weight of the purse.
3. Attach Snowflake: Using the long tail left on the snowflake charm, sew it to the center front of the purse, just below the top edge. Position it so it sits nicely on the stockinette fabric. Secure it with a few small stitches on the back of the charm.
4. Optional Embellishment: For extra sparkle, sew a small button or bead to the center of the snowflake. This adds a lovely detail and helps anchor the charm.
5. Finish: Weave in all remaining ends using your tapestry needle. Give your purse a gentle block if desired to even out the stitches.

Your Frosted Berry Basket Purse is now complete! This charming accessory is perfect for holding small essentials like lip balm, keys, or a phone. The combination of the rich berry red and the delicate cream snowflake makes it a standout piece for winter outfits. Enjoy your handmade creation, and don't forget to share your finished project with fellow crafters!