Review & Giveaway: 7 Easy-to-Knit Handbags for Every Occasion

One of my favorite moments from TNNA this year came when some of my booth neighbors related a conversation they'd just had with another attendee of the show.  A very well-meaning woman had stopped to check out their designs and chat and, at the end of the conversation, leaned in as if she were sharing a huge secret, informed them that the knitted handbag was the most popular selling type of pattern in the history of knitting and insisted that if they really wanted to make it big in the industry, they should drop everything and start writing patterns for knitted handbags immediately.

Now, I'm a big fan of the knitted handbag.  I've made more than a few, and have queued countless others, and find them very fun and useful items.  But the most popular type of knitted object EVER and major get-rich-quick scheme?  I'm just not so sure.  (Or I could be completely wrong, who knows?)

Anyway, while we're on the topic of knitted handbags, there's a very cool new book out from Annie's on just this subject...

All photos copyright Annie's

7 Easy-to-Knit Handbags for Every Occasion is written by Jill Wright (who also has two great pieces in Reclaimed!) and includes, as you might have guessed from the title, 7 patterns for knitted handbags that range from the casual to the fancy-sparkly and all look quite simple to make.  The purses have different types of closures and handles, so you can show off a favorite button, or practice a new closure technique. And handbags are a wonderful way to try new techniques, since the shaping is usually quite simple and provides a nice, blank canvas on which to use some creativity. The patterns in this book do just that, with some of the handbags featuring cables, textured stitches, and intarsia.

The book includes very clear instructions and diagrams of the basics as well as some additional skills needed for purse-construction, such as inserting a zipper and working Mattress Stitch. Also, the patterns that require assembly have great schematics and diagrams for how the pieces should go together.

Let's take a look inside at some of my favorites, shall we?

Here's Harriott - I would carry this everywhere!

Dancette has a fun combination of cables and a bit of sparkle.

And Butternut - just adorable.

You can find 7 Easy-to-Knit Handbags on the Annie's website or on Amazon.

Or would you like to win a FREE copy of this super-fun book?  Leave me a comment here telling me 1) if you've ever made a knitted purse before and 2) a way to get ahold of you (email, Ravelry ID, or blog URL are all fine).  You have until this Friday, October 4th, at 11:59pm Pacific time, and I'll draw a winner on Saturday morning.  Have a great week, everyone!