Fancy Owl Purse

• 6mm Cord Material (206 yards total)
• Project Board and pins
• Two 2-inch Rings
• Two 24mm Round Beads (Black or Brown for Eyes)
• Shank Button (same color as beads)

• Larks Head Knot
• Alternating Square Knots
• Double Half Hitch
• Double Buttonhole Stitch
• Diamonds
• Barrel Knot

Cutting and Preparing Cords

Cut the cords to the following lengths:

• Strap:  8 cords, each 9 yards long
• Front:  12 cords, each 4 yards long
• Back:  12 cords, each 4 yards long
• Flap:   12 cords, each 3 yards long
• Holding Cords:  2 strands, each 36 inches long

Prepare the ends with glue, tape, or wax to prevent unraveling.   If using twisted style cord, be sure not to omit this important step.

Designing the Strap

Step 7: Repeat steps 2 thru 6 over and over, until the first half of the strap for the Fancy Owl purse measures 11 inches long. Make sure you end with the Square Knot.

Step 8:  Turn the strap around, and repeat steps 2 thru 7 as many times as needed to end up with a 22-inch strap.  Remove the strap from the board. Tie tight Overhand knots in the ends of the strap cords, to make it easier to identify them later on.

Creating the Body of the Purse

Step 9:  Secure a holding cord (36 inch) to your project board horizontally. Beginning near the center of it, attach the 12 cords for the body to it with Reverse Larks Head Knots.  The cords are folded in half in the process, so you will end up with 24 strands to create the body of the Fancy Owl Purse.

Tie a tight Barrel Knot at each end of the holding cord, so they rest next to the mounted strands. This will prevent the cords from sliding off.

Step 10:  Tie the first row of Alternating Square Knots so they rest just below the mounting knots.  Each knot should be made with 4 strands.

Step 11:  Make the second row of ASK.  There will be 2 cords at each edge that are unused.  If you were to mentally number them, the ones not used are 1, 2, 23, and 24.

Step 12:  Repeat Step 9 to mount the cords for the back of the Fancy Owl Purse. 

Step 13:  Repeat Step 10, to make the first row of ASK.  Then make the second row of knots.  There will be 2 unused cords at each edge of the back portion.

Step 14:  Place both halves of the purse between your knees. The insides should be facing each other.  Take the cords coming from one end of the strap, and combine them with the unused strands at each edge of the front and back.  Tie 3 Square Knots. This not only attaches the strap, but also joins the 2 halves of the purse. 

Step 15:  Turn the purse around, and repeat the process to attach the other end of the strap, on the other side. Double check to make sure it is not twisted before tying the knots.

Step 16: Hang the Fancy Owl Purse up by the strap, to make it easier to work on. Direct the ends of the holding cords to the inside and weave them into the overall design. You can use glue to hold them in place.

Step 17:  Make the third row of ASK, moving all the way around both halves of the purse.  The knots may not alternate perfectly at the sides for this row.  Be sure not to confuse the cords for the front with those from the back.  You’re working on this as if it were a cylinder or tube.

Bottom Edge of Purse

Step 19:  The bottom section of the Fancy Owl Purse needs to be worked on separately, rather than all the way around.  So let’s start with the front.  DO NOT use the cords that have the knots in them, which came from the straps.  Just push them aside, since they will not be used until step 23.

Tie rows of ASK to form a V design, decreasing each row by 4 cords.  In other words, omit 2 strands at each side, with each new row.  The last row should have only 1 knot, in the center of the design.

Step 20:  Do the same with the back portion of the purse. 

Step 21:  Place the Fancy Owl purse between your knees so you have access to the bottom.  Starting at the point in the center, take one cord from each half, and tie a tight SK (no fillers). 

Step 22:  Repeat this process along both diagonal areas, until the bottom is closed.  You need to stop at the row where the V formation was started. 

Step 23:  Take the side cords, which have the Overhand knots in them, and weave them through spaces in the area when the V shape starts.  Tie tight SK with them as needed to secure them.  The lower area should be completely closed when finished.

Creating the Flap

Step 24:  Take the 12 cords for the flap and direct them into the spaces between the Square knots at the top of the back section.  Center each one so the ends are even, and tie the first half of a SK to secure them.  If you wish, you can use a different decorative knot to add them, but be sure they are folded in the process.

Step 25:  Tie rows of ASK using these cords, until the design measures 4 inches.  Mentally number the strands 1 thru 24.

Step 26:  Slide the round beads over cords 9 & 10 as well as 15 & 16. If you want the eyes to be wider, you can place them on different cords.

Step 27:  Tie 4 rows of ASK.

Step 28:  Separate 4 cords from the center of the flap.  Just move them out of the way for now.   Tie 6 rows of decreasing ASK, to make another V shape.  In other words, omit 2 strands from each side with each new row.  The shape won’t be pointed like the bottom of the Fancy Owl purse, but will resemble that area.

Step 29:  To finish off the edge of the flap, simply take each strand and tie a Barrel Knot next to the last row of SK. 

Finishing Touches

Step 30:  Take the 4 cords you separated out in step 28 and make the Double Buttonhole Stitch for the clasp of the Fancy Owl Purse..  Two cords will be used to make the right portion, and the other two the left portion.  Make sure the design is large enough for the button you’re using.  Complete the clasp by tying a SK.  Switch cords, so the fillers become working cords, and tie a second SK.  Apply glue to the SK, and allow it to dry completely. 

Step 31:  To make the fringe along the bottom edge of the Fancy Owl Purse, trim the cords so they are approximately 2 inches long.  Make sure you trim them at an angle.  Unravel each one and trim them again to neaten them.  Do the same with the cords at the edge of the flap and the ones making up the clasp.

Step 32:  Take a piece of scrap cord and slide it through the shank of the button.  Direct the ends to the inside of the purse, after placing the button where you want it. Make sure it fits through the clasp, and is in the center of the front portion of the Fancy Owl Purse.  Tie a Barrel Knot to secure it. 

Step 33:  Cut scrap cord into 8-inch sections and mount them to the rings with Larks Head Knots.  Trim them so they are neat, and unravel the ends.  You can brush them if you want the eyes to be fluffy.  Attach these decorations around the beads with small pieces of scrap cord, or with string. Your Fancy Owl purse is now ready to use and enjoy.