Felted Purse

I learned how to knit and crochet from my grandmother when I was in first grade and made a lot of scarfs, mittens, sweaters, doilies, hats, etc through high school but took a long hiatus from knitting for a loooong time.  Then I fell in love with the felted purse my girlfriend Lynda was making.

Here is a short tutorial so you can make your own!  Choose 100% wool yarn that will be your base yarn and add any decorative yarn (doesn't have to be 100% wool), and knit to the shape and size you want. Keep in mind the size will shrink approximately 20~40% depending on how long you felt.

This is what it looks like all knitted

Put the finished project inside a pillow case with the end tied so it won't come out during the wash.  Wash it in hot water in top loading washing machine (not enough agitation with front loading machine) with a little bit of detergent for about 10 min.  Check to see if it felted and wash some more until you get the desired felt and size. You will know when it's done when you no longer see your knitting stitches and it looks like a solid fabric. Put it through the spin cycle still in the pillow case.  Take it out of the pillow case and start shaping your purse by stuffing it with micro fiber towels.  Air dry until completely dry.  Add a beaded handle line the inside with fabric and this is what it looks like when it's done!

Tada!  All dressed up!

While searching for beads for the purse handles online I kept seeing so many beautiful creations.  Once I tried my first wire wrapping necklace I was hooked!  This is how my jewelry making journey began in 2008.