BMC Wrist bag

This pattern was adapted from one originally found in Stitch 'N Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller. I'd made a few of the bags following her directions, then made some alterations. Most notably, I added the applique and I made the bag slightly larger. This one can comfortably accommodate my camera, cell phone, notepad, credit card, license, a few bucks and a key chain. Not MY key chain, but a key chain.

BMC Wrist Bag

Materials
black worsted yarn - I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. 1 skein will make several bags. I think it would work well with nylon, too, and intend to try that soon.

lime green worsted yarn - I used Sugar and Cream because the color was great. You'll just need a small amount of this.

knitting needles size 6

crochet hook size F

beading needle

yarn needle

sequins (green)

seed beads (peridot and amber)

silver beads with an opening wide enough to be strung onto yarn

alphabet beads and/or other charms (optional - mine says BMC, of course!)

4" black zipper

black thread

Bag
- with black yarn, cast on 28 stitches
- work 6 rows garter stitch (k each row)
- begin stockinette stitch (k on front, p on back)
- work even until piece measures 4 1/2 " from beginning (end on k row)
- k next row (on wrong side) this will form a nice fold
- k next row (on right side) - return to stockinette stitch
- when folded work hits garter stitch section, switch to garter stitch and work 6 rows.
- cast off

Lime Applique
- with green yarn and crochet hook, ch 3.
row 1: 5 hdc in 3rd ch from hook
row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each hdc
row 3: ch 2, turn. Hdc in 1st sc,* fpdc over hdc in row 1, skip next sc, hdc in next hdc* repeat from * to * across
row 4: ch 1, turn. *Sc in first st, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across
row 5: ch 2, turn. Hdc in first 2 st, *fpdc over fpdc from row 3, hdc in next 2 st* repeat from * to * across.
Do NOT turn
work sc evenly across straight edge of applique, easing to fit. Work hdc in back loop only of round 5 as follows: *hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * across. End w/ slip stitch to first stitch.
cut yarn and pull through loop to secure


Assembling
Place applique on bag in desired position. Tack down neatly with green yarn and yarn needle.

Secure sequins around outer edge with peridot seed beads.

Randomly secure amber seed beads to areas between "spokes" on lime.

Using black yarn, sew or crochet side seams.

Carefully hand sew zipper into place using black thread.

Cut 3 30" lengths of black yarn - secure a knot 6" from one end. Braid tightly until braid measures 14". Draw through opening in zipper pull. Knot one end tightly to the other, forming a wrist loop. Bead silver beads and/or alphabet beads/charms onto each of the 6 loose strands. Varying the length of each a little bit adds charm. Perfection is overrated. Tie a knot securely after each bead has been strund and trim the yarn to your preferred length.

As always, this pattern is mine, so please - feel free to use it to your little hearts content, but don't make a profit from it.

Please contact me with any confusing directions or errata and I will address it (to the best of my ability) promptly.

The Sky's the Limit!

Lea's May Dance was last night. A girl can't go to a semi-formal without a cell phone, but she doesn't want to carry a clunky purse. Lea didn't like the thought of a clutch, which is (or at least WAS!) my go-to bag of choice when the situation called for something a little fancier than an everyday purse. What to do, what to do?

Enter the zippered wrist purse. I found a pattern for this little bag in Stitch and Bitch Nation, by Debbie Stoller. I modified it slightly, adding a defined fold for the bottom.

It holds a cell phone and not a lot more. Lea got her cell phone and a lipstick in there. As I was making it, I thought about how handy something like this could be for me when I don't need the whole arsenal that I regularly carry in my bag. This holds my phone, a credit card, drivers license, a couple bucks and a key (but not my key ring...) Perfect for a night out! Perfect for a shopping day, when the bags get overwhelming (like I have shopping days when the bags get overwhelming anymore...). It would even be great just to hold credit cards or gift cards or a cell phone within a larger purse. How about feminine items? What a neat, cute way to keep those tidy in your purse (and eliminate embarrassment when they inevitably fall out).

I think this is really just a cute little bag with almost endless possibilities. I immediately whipped one up for myself using brown yarn and wood beads in place of the more blingy beads used on Lea's bag. I'm thinking for an even more casual look, I could eliminate the beads completely and do appliques (literally endless possibilities there... my head is spinning!). I could spell out initials with the beads rather than just going with a linear pattern for them.... Oh, I see every woman I know getting one of THESE soon!


They take very little time and very little yarn, so they're going to serve as stash busters, too. I tend to lean towards more neutral colors/schemes for myself - but for such a small project, I could actually go nutty! Make them to match specific outfits!

Lea all set to go to her big dance