Purple Purse

Description:  This Purple Purse is an easy design, suitable for beginners.  It can be made with any color, of course.  To modify this basic design, you could change the decorative knots used to make the strap.  Or you can embellish this small handbag with beads or novelty buttons. 

This Macrame purse measures approximately 10 x 10 inches when completed.

• 6mm Cord Materials (100 yards)
• Project Board and Pins
• Tape
• Beads or Buttons (optional)

• Square Knot (SK)
• Larks Head Knot
• Alternating Square Knots (ASK)
• Barrel Knot

Cut the cords as follows:

Strap:  Cut 8 strands, each 4.5 yards long.

Body:  Cut 24 strands, each 2.5 yards long.

Prepare the strands using one of the techniques described in Cord Preparation.

Creating the Straps

Step 1:  Place 4 of the 5-yards cords (for the strap) on your project board, resting vertically.  Secure them in the center with pins.

Step 2:  Mentally number the cords 1 - 4. Tie a Square Knot in the center, using 1 and 4 as the working cords.  The other two are fillers. Tie enough decorative knots to create a 9-inch sennit.

Design Tip: You can either make a simple Square Knot sennit, as shown in the image, or try a different decorative knot.  I recommend any of the following techniques:

• Half Hitch Pattern
• Larks Head sennits
• Spiral Stitch

Step 4:  Turn the strap design around. Repeat step 3 to make the second half.  The total length of the entire strap should be 18 inches.

Note: If the shortest cords are more than 2.5 yards in length, you can make the strap longer. Just be sure to add knots on both halves, or the strap won't be balanced.

Step 5:  Repeat steps 1 thru 4 to make the second stap for the Purple Purse.

Designing the Body

Step 6:  Take 1 strap and place it on your board, so it curves, with the middle of it at the top. Arrange the cords so they head straight down, and are not crossed. Secure the strap to your board.

Mentally number the strands on each end, 1 thru 4.  Make sure you move left to right as you number them. Take cord 4 from the left strap and direct it to the right, horizontally.  Secure it so it’s taut.  Do the same with cord 1 from the right strap, securing it on the left.  Both of these strands will act together as the holding cords.

Step 7: Mount 10 of the 3-yard cords for the body to both holding cords.  Attach them with Larks Head knots, folding the cords in half as you do so. Make sure the knots are close together.

Step 8:  Tie the first row of Alternating Square Knots to start the front. They should rest just below the mounting knots.  Each of the SK should be tied with 4 strands (2 working cords and 2 fillers).  Include the strap cords as well as the 2 holding cords when you tie these knots.

Step 9:  Add 2 more strands by folding them in half, placing them at the right and left edge of the design.  Secure them with pins. Tie a second row of ASK using all the cords, including the new ones.  Tug on the ends of the new cords to remove any slack above them.

Step 10:  Repeat steps 6 through 9 to start the back half of the Purple Purse.

Step 11:  Mentally number the strands in both the back and the front, 1 thru 32.  Put a piece of tape on cords 1, 2, 31 and 32 (for both halves of the purse).

Step 12:  Place the back and front of the purse together, with the inside surfaces touching. 

Locate the cords marked with the tape on the left edge.  Two will come from the back, as well as the front. Tie one SK with the four strands.

Repeat this process at the right edge of the Purple Purse design. The two halves should now be connected.

Step 13: Tie rows of ASK using all the strands.  You should be able to make at least 8 to 10 rows.  Periodically measure the shortest strands. You need at least 12 inches to complete the bottom. 

Step 14:  To round the bottom of the Purple Purse, locate the 4 cords at each edge, which were marked with tape. Drop those 8 cords, and do not use them any longer. Just push them to the inside, and tie the last 2 rows of ASK as if they were not present.

Finishing Touches

Step 15:  Turn the handbag inside out.  Place it between your knees so you have access to the bottom. 

Start at one edge, and take 1 strand from each half. Make a SK, but without fillers.  Tighten the knot as much as you can.

Repeat this process with all the other strands.  Be sure not to forget any.

Step 16:  Apply glue to all the knots you just tied.  Allow it to dry completely.  Trim the strands so they are 2 inches long.  Unravel them and brush until fluffy.

Step 17:  Turn the Purple Purse back so the ends are on the inside, and it’s ready to be used.

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