Flap Top Felted Purse

After look at many felted bag patterns and not finding exactly what I was looking for, I decided to make up my own pattern.

Base of the bag
CO 40 stitiches
Knit 34 rows in garter stitch
Place marker (A)
Pick up and knit 16 stitches along left side of rectangle, place marker (B)
Pick up and knit 49 stitched along CO edge, place marker (C)
Pick up and knit 16 stitches along right side of rectangle, place marker (D)
Join stitches and begin knitting in the round for 60 rows.

Body of the bag
On row 12 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 14 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

On row 24 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 12 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

On row 36 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 10 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

On row 48 - Decrease by k2tog after marker A, before marker B, after marker C and before marker D. You will have 8 stitches on each of the short sides and 49 stitches on the long sides.

Once you have knit 60 rows with decreases, beginning at marker D, bind off 49 stitches. Place the 8 stitches between markers A and B on a stitch holder. Keep stitches between B and C on your circular needle. Place the 8 stitches between C and D on a stitch holder.

Bag flap top
If you would like to change yarn color for the flap top, do so here by tying on new yarn.

Knit in SS stitch for 34 rows. Bind off.

Strap
Remove the 8 stitches from the stitch holder and place on needle. Knit in garter stitch until the strap measures 22" long. Join with the remaining 8 stitch on the other stitch holder using the Kitchener stitch.

Weave in ends and felt. :)


Pre-felted measurements

Strap - 22" long in garter stitch
Flap - 14" wide by 7" tall
Bag body - 14" wide by 11" tall
Bag base - 14" long by 5" wide