Stripe Clutch — Knit Purse Pattern (Acrylic, 3 Colors)

Simple garter-stitch clutch worked flat in horizontal stripes. Designed for acrylic worsted/aran weight yarn in three colors. Easy color changes, optional lining and zipper, and an optional i-cord strap. Finished size and yarn amounts are adjustable.

Finished measurements

Width: 10 in / 25.5 cm
Height (folded): 6 in / 15 cm
Depth (gusseted option): 1 in / 2.5 cm

Materials

Yarn: Acrylic, worsted/aran weight (Medium 4). Suggested ball: 200 yd / 183 m per 100 g ball (approx). Required:

Color A (MC - main): about 100 yd / 91 m (approx 1 skein if using smaller 100–200 yd skeins; for full-coverage or wider purse allow 150–200 yd)
Color B (CC1): about 50 yd / 46 m
Color C (CC2): about 50 yd / 46 m

Needles (choose to meet gauge): US 6 (4.0 mm) / UK 8 — or alternate: US 7 (4.5 mm) / UK 7, US 8 (5.0 mm) / UK 6
Notions: tapestry needle, scissors, optional zipper (9–10 in / 23–25 cm) or magnetic snap, stitch markers, removable stitch holder or waste yarn.
Optional: small piece of fusible interfacing or fabric for lining; sewing needle and thread; small amount of scrap fabric to make a neat lining.

Gauge (blocked, garter stitch)

18 stitches and 28 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in garter stitch on recommended needles. Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Abbreviations

CO = cast on
BO = bind off
K = knit
P = purl (not used if working strictly garter)
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
st(s) = stitch(es)
rem = remaining

Notes

This pattern uses garter stitch so the purse lies flat without curling.
Stripes run horizontally; color changes occur at the start of a row. For a neat join, twist the new color with the old at the edge or leave a 6-inch tail to weave in later.
If you want a firmer bag, add a fabric lining or lightweight fusible interfacing before sewing the side seams.
All measurements are approximate. You can adjust cast-on to change final width; keep an odd or even stitch count consistent with your stripe repeat if you want symmetrical edges.

Pattern (one-size clutch)

Using US 6 (4.0 mm) needles and Color A (MC):

CO 45 sts. (Based on gauge this yields ~10 in / 25.5 cm width. To change width, adjust by multiples of 1 st.)
Setup row (RS): K across using MC.
Establish stripe sequence and repeat as listed. Work all rows in garter (knit every row):

Stripe sequence (rows)
- Rows 1–6: MC (Color A) – 6 rows
- Rows 7–10: CC1 (Color B) – 4 rows
- Rows 11–14: CC2 (Color C) – 4 rows
- Rows 15–20: MC – 6 rows
Repeat rows 7–20 until panel measures 12 in / 30.5 cm from cast-on or until you have approx 12 in to allow folding and seaming (see fold note).

When your panel measures approx 12 in / 30.5 cm from CO, end on any row of stripe repeat. This extra length allows for a 6 in / 15 cm folded height. Adjust final length if you want a taller or shorter clutch.
BO loosely in pattern with MC (if you end on a different color, you can BO with that color to match the edge).

Finishing — simple fold-and-seam clutch

Fold panel in half width-wise so RS faces out and the cast-on and bound-off edges meet. The fold is the top of the clutch.
Sew side seams using mattress stitch or whipstitch, leaving the top open. For a gusseted bottom, before side-seaming fold and mark a 1 in / 2.5 cm triangle at each bottom corner, sew across to form small triangular gussets, then seam sides.
Weave in ends neatly on the WS. Trim tails.

Optional zipper

If adding a zipper: before seaming sides, align zipper to the top edge (cast-on/BO edge) on the inside; hand-baste through lining or edge to stabilize and machine- or hand-sew zipper in place. Then seam sides as usual.

Optional lining

Cut a rectangle of fabric 1/2 in / 1.3 cm smaller than knitted panel on all sides (so it fits comfortably inside). If using interfacing, fuse it to the fabric before sewing.
Sew fabric rectangle into a pouch matching knitted seams, turn right side out and slip inside knitted shell. Hand-stitch the lining to the knitted inside along the top edge so it stays in place. Lining hides woven-in tails and stabilizes the bag.

Strap options

I-cord strap (knit): Using double-pointed needles approximately US 6 (4.0 mm), cast on 3 sts, work a 3-st i-cord until strap reaches desired length (approx 36–48 in / 91–122 cm for crossbody, 18–24 in / 46–61 cm for shoulder), bind off, attach ends to inside top corners and secure.
Chain strap (crochet): With a crochet hook that matches yarn, chain desired length then slip-stitch or seam ends to inside corners.
Optional metal chain: attach small decorative hardware to inside corners with strong thread or leather tabs.

Color handling tips

Because stripes span the full row, it's simplest to break yarn at each color change and leave a 6 in / 15 cm tail; weave in tails on the inside of the bag for a tidy finish.
To avoid holes at color joins, bring the new color over the old color at the edge and twist once before knitting the first stitch; this catches the yarns and closes the gap.

Alternate construction: seamed panels

If you prefer a firmer bag, knit two identical panels (front and back) and seam three sides leaving the top open; add interfacing and lining between the panels before finishing the top edge.

Care

Acrylic: machine wash cold on gentle or hand wash; lay flat to dry. Avoid high heat when blocking or ironing; use low-heat steam if needed.

Adjustments

To change finished width: calculate cast-on = (desired width in inches) x (stitches per inch). Stitches per inch = gauge sts / 4 in (for our gauge: 18/4 = 4.5 sts per inch). Round to nearest whole stitch.
To change stripe heights: increase or decrease the number of garter rows per stripe. Odd numbers of rows keep stripe edges balanced on both sides when folded.

Troubleshooting

If sides stretch or bag feels floppy, add lining or use smaller needles for firmer fabric.
If stripes don’t line up neatly when seamed, block panels lightly before seaming and baste lining to stabilize.

Support

If you have questions about the pattern, email team@verde.uk. Visit the project page: https://purljam.verde.uk. Share your makes with the hashtag #purljam.

Notes: This pattern assumes beginner-to-intermediate knitters comfortable with garter stitch, simple seaming, and basic finishing. Modify as desired for size and stripe arrangement.

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