Drawstring Purse

Description:  This Drawstring Purse is made with 2 colors, and has a cord that is pulled through a bead to close it at the top.  This is a great Macrame pattern to learn how Alternating Half Hitches are used. The finished handbag design is approximately 12 inches wide and 18 inches long. Rated Easy to Moderate.

Revised in January, 2010.

Supplies Needed:

• 6mm Macramé Cord in 2 colors (130 yards of each)
• One Bead (with a 10mm hole)
• Glue that dries clear
• Project Board and pins, or tape

Knots Used:

• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Alternating Half Hitch
• Barrel Knot (or other finishing technique)
• Square Knot (SK)

Cut the cords for the Drawstring Purse as follows:

For the strap, cut 4 strands, each 8 yards long (any combination of colors).

For the Body, cut 24 cords, each 4 yards long (of both colors). 

For the Drawstring, cut 1 strand, 60 inches long (either color).

Treat the ends of all the cords in some manner to prevent unraveling. See Cord Preparation for more details.

Creating the Strap

Step 1:  Locate the center of the four cords for the strap.  Secure them on your work surface at the center, with tape or pins.  You will use 2 of them working together to tie the knots.

Step 2:  Tie an Alternating Half Hitch sennit. Start the chain near the center, and continue to tie knots until you have a 18-inch design.   If you want a shorter strap, stop sooner.

To modify the strap for the Drawstring Purse, you can make a different type of pattern with the Half Hitches. See Half Hitch Patterns for more ideas.

Designing the Body

Step 3:  Take 2 of the Color A cords and fold them in half.  Lay them on your table so they are next to each other. Secure them at the fold with a pin or tape.  Tie a Square Knot 1/2-inch below the fold, using the 2 outside strands as the working cords.  Make the knot as tight as you can.  Apply glue to the knot and move it aside to dry.

Step 4:  Repeat this process, creating 11 more color A loops. Then use the Color B cords to make a total of 12 loops.

Step 5:  To start the front, arrange the loops and the strap cords so they are next to one another in the following arrangement:

4 Strap cords  -- 6 Color A loops  -- 6 color B loops – 4 strap cords

The last knot in the strap should line up with the knots in the other cords.

Step 6:  For the back half of the Drawstring Purse, arrange the cords as follows:

6 Color B loops  -- 6 Color A loops

Mentally number the strands 1 thru 48.  Tie a row of SK with cords 3 thru 46.  Add the tape to the cords not used.

Step 8: Tie rows of ASK using all the strands, in a circle around the entire Drawstring Purse design.  It helps to hang the purse up while working on it.  Make sure the rows are close together, with no space between the knots.  Stop when the design is approximately 16 inches from top to bottom, or you are satisfied with the depth.

Step 9: To make the bottom more rounded, tie 4 rows of ASK while dropping 4 strands at each edge, at the start of each new row.  When you drop the cords, you simply don’t use them, and tie the knots around them, using the other strands available. 

Finishing Touches

Step 10:  Turn the Drawstring Purse inside out.  Hold it between your knees so you have access to the bottom.  Using 2 strands at a time (one from each half), tie Square Knots without fillers.  Tie the knots tightly. 

When the bottom is closed, apply glue to the knots and allow it to dry completely.  Trim the cords to 2 inches and either weave them into the overall design, or unravel and fluff them.

Step 11:  Turn the handbag so the ends are on the inside.  To make the drawstring closure, take the 36-inch cord, and  weave it through the loops along the top edge.  Start in the center of the front of the purse and go all the way around the handbag. 

Step 12:  Adjust the cord so the ends are even.  Trim the cord if necessary.  Pass all 4 ends through the bead. 

To keep the ends from sliding through the bead, you can tie a Matthew Walker, Stevedore, or Barrel knot to finish it off.

The Drawstring Pusre is now ready to be used.

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