Discover the 689P Knitted Purse Handbag Pattern: A Complete Guide to Emi Harrington’s Flower and Leaf Design
There is something quietly magical about a handmade bag. It carries not just your belongings but also the hours of care, the deliberate choice of yarn, and the quiet pride that only a knitter truly understands. If you have been searching for a project that is equal parts elegant and achievable, the 689P Knitted Purse Handbag with Handles, Flower, and Leaf pattern by Emi Harrington, available through LoveCrafts, may be exactly what you have been looking for.
This blog post is your complete guide to everything you need to know about this beautiful pattern — from what makes it special to how to approach it with confidence, what yarn to choose, and how to style the finished bag once you have cast off that final stitch.
What Is the 689P Knitted Purse Handbag Pattern?
The 689P is a knitting pattern designed by Emi Harrington and published through LoveCrafts, one of the most trusted destinations for knitters and crocheters seeking quality, well-tested patterns from independent and established designers alike. The pattern gives you everything you need to knit a structured handbag complete with handles and decorative flower and leaf embellishments.
What sets this pattern apart from a standard bag pattern is that it is truly a complete project. You are not just knitting a shell and then improvising the rest. The pattern includes instructions for the body of the bag, the knitted handles, and the charming floral and leaf details that give the finished piece its distinctive handcrafted personality. It is the kind of bag that people notice. When you carry it, someone will inevitably ask, “Did you make that yourself?” — and you will get to say yes.
Emi Harrington’s design sensibility leans toward the classic. The flower and leaf motifs have a timeless quality that feels neither overly vintage nor stiffly modern. They sit comfortably on the surface of the bag in a way that feels intentional and polished, like something you might find in a high-end boutique rather than a craft fair table.
Why Knitters Love This Pattern
Patterns like the 689P attract knitters for a handful of very specific reasons, and understanding those reasons can help you decide whether this is the right project for your current skill level, your available time, and the kind of maker experience you are looking for.
The first reason is the wow factor of the finished object. Bags are one of the most satisfying knitting projects because they are immediately useful and highly visible. You use a bag every single day. Every time you pick it up, you are reminded of the skill and patience you invested in making it. Unlike a pair of socks that lives inside your shoes, or a dishcloth that spends most of its life at the kitchen sink, a knitted handbag goes out into the world with you.
The second reason is the decorative detail. The flower and leaf elements are applied embellishments, which means they are worked separately and then attached to the finished bag. This approach has a wonderful practical benefit: you can audition their placement before committing. You can hold the flower against the left side of the bag, then the right, then the center, adjusting until it feels exactly right to you. For knitters who love a bit of creative latitude within a structured pattern, this is deeply satisfying.
The third reason is the handles. Knitted handles can be tricky to get right — they need to be sturdy enough to support the bag’s contents, comfortable enough to carry without digging into your palm, and visually cohesive with the rest of the design. A well-written handle pattern is worth a great deal, and Harrington’s instructions walk you through the process with clarity.
Understanding the Skill Level and What You Will Need
Before you cast on, it is worth being honest with yourself about where you are as a knitter. The 689P is not a beginner’s first project, but it is genuinely approachable for anyone who has moved past the very basics. If you can knit and purl confidently, if you have worked a few rounds in the round or are comfortable working flat and seaming, and if you have made at least a couple of finished objects before, you are in a good position to tackle this pattern.
The flower and leaf embellishments do require some shaping knowledge — increasing and decreasing to create petal and leaf shapes — but these techniques are common enough that a brief review of the relevant stitches before you begin will be more than sufficient preparation.
In terms of materials, you will want to gather a few things before you start.
Yarn is the most important decision you will make for this project. Because a handbag needs to hold its shape and stand up to regular use, you want a yarn with good stitch definition and a degree of durability. A smooth, plied wool or a wool blend works beautifully — the structure of a plied yarn means your stitches will be crisp and the bag will have a satisfying density. Superwash wools are a practical choice if you want to be able to occasionally toss the bag in a gentle machine wash. Cotton and linen blends are another option, particularly for a summer bag or if you prefer a slightly stiffer finished fabric.
Avoid very fuzzy or heavily textured yarns for your first attempt at this pattern. Mohair halos and thick-and-thin yarns make it much harder to see your stitches clearly, which slows you down and makes counting and shaping more stressful than it needs to be.
You will also need the knitting needles specified in the pattern. Always check the gauge swatch section of the pattern carefully. Gauge is not optional on a bag — if your stitches are looser or tighter than the pattern calls for, your finished bag will be a different size than intended, which can affect how the handles sit and how the bag as a whole looks and functions.
Additional notions typically needed for a project like this include stitch markers, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and potentially a bag lining if you choose to add one. A lining is not usually included in knitting patterns for bags, but adding a fabric lining is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of a knitted bag and give it a professional, finished interior.
Choosing Your Yarn: Color and Texture Considerations
One of the most enjoyable parts of starting any new knitting project is the yarn selection process, and for a bag like the 689P, it deserves some genuine thought.
Consider the color palette you want to work with. Because the bag has decorative flowers and leaves, you have a natural opportunity to play with color contrast. The most striking versions of bags like this tend to use a neutral or semi-solid base — think a rich camel, a deep navy, a warm burgundy, or a clean cream — and then add the floral embellishments in a contrasting or complementary tone. Imagine a mossy green leaf and a dusty rose flower against a slate blue bag body, or ivory flowers with sage leaves on a warm taupe base. The possibilities are genuinely lovely.
If you prefer a more understated look, you can absolutely work the entire bag in a single color or use tonal shades that are close enough on the color wheel to read as cohesive rather than contrasting. This approach creates a more textural, sculptural effect where the flowers and leaves are visible through their shape and dimension rather than their color.
For the handles in particular, you may want to consider reinforcing the knitted fabric. Some knitters thread a length of cotton webbing or ribbon through the interior of knitted handles to add stability and prevent stretching over time. This is particularly worth doing if you plan to carry heavy items in your bag.
Tips for Knitting the Bag Body
Working the main body of the bag is a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm before you move on to the more detailed work of the embellishments. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you go.
Check your tension regularly, especially in the first several rows or rounds. It is very easy to unconsciously tighten or loosen your grip as you knit, and a tension inconsistency that seems minor in the first inch of the bag can become noticeable once the fabric grows. If you notice that your gauge has drifted, take a moment to stop, breathe, and reset before continuing.
Keep your stitch count correct by using stitch markers liberally. Even experienced knitters use markers as a matter of course — they are not a sign of being a beginner, they are simply a sensible tool. Place markers every ten or twenty stitches if you find it helpful, and count regularly.
When it comes to shaping, follow the pattern’s instructions for any increases or decreases that give the bag its structure. Some bag patterns are worked as simple rectangles and then seamed; others incorporate shaping for a more tailored look. Whichever approach the 689P uses, trust the pattern and take your time.
Working the Flower and Leaf Embellishments
This is where the 689P really sings. The flowers and leaves that Emi Harrington has designed for this pattern are the details that transform a functional knitted bag into something genuinely beautiful, and they deserve your full attention.
Knitted flowers are worked by casting on a set number of stitches, then shaping each petal through a combination of increases and decreases. The result is a dimensional, three-dimensional bloom that adds texture and personality to the finished bag. Take your time with the cast-on for each flower and with the individual petal shaping — rushing this section is where small mistakes tend to creep in.
Leaves in knitting are worked similarly. A classic knitted leaf begins at the base with a central stitch, builds outward through paired increases on either side of a central spine, and then tapers back in through decreases toward the tip. The result is a graceful, pointed shape that reads immediately as a leaf. Working the leaves with a yarn that has good stitch definition will make the central spine and the shaping lines more visible and more beautiful in the finished piece.
Once your flowers and leaves are complete, spend some time arranging them on the bag before you sew them down. Try them in different groupings — one flower with two leaves, two flowers clustered together, a trailing arrangement that suggests a vine. Take a photo of each arrangement you like so you can compare them before making your final decision.
Sewing the embellishments in place is a satisfying final step. Use a tapestry needle and a length of the same yarn you used to knit the flower or leaf, and work small, neat stitches around the edges, being careful not to flatten the dimensional quality of the petals.
Finishing Touches: Handles, Seaming, and Lining
The handles of the 689P are an integral part of the design, not an afterthought. Work them as the pattern directs, and take care to keep your tension consistent throughout — particularly on an i-cord or folded handle, where any irregularity will be quite visible.
When you seam the bag, use a mattress stitch or whip stitch as the pattern suggests, and check your seams from the right side as you go. A well-worked seam on a knitted bag is virtually invisible; a hasty one can look untidy and affect the bag’s overall shape.
Consider adding a fabric lining even if it is not part of the original pattern. Cut a piece of cotton fabric to the shape of your bag’s interior, sew the lining into a simple pouch, and slip-stitch it inside the bag along the top edge. This one step makes the bag easier to use, protects the knitting from the abrasive contents of your everyday carry (keys, pens, lip balm), and gives the inside a clean, finished appearance. Choose a lining fabric that coordinates with your yarn — a floral cotton lining inside a flower-embellished bag is a quietly charming detail.
How to Style the 689P Knitted Purse Handbag
Once your bag is finished, seamed, embellished, and lined, you get to enjoy the very best part: carrying it. The 689P’s classic design means it works with a genuinely wide range of outfits and occasions.
For an everyday casual look, pair it with straight-leg jeans, a simple white linen shirt, and flat leather sandals. The bag adds texture and crafted charm to an otherwise simple outfit without overwhelming it. For a more polished occasion — a garden party, a brunch, a summer wedding as a guest — carry it with a floral midi dress and block-heeled mules. The knitted flowers on the bag will echo the botanical theme without matching it so literally that it feels costume-like.
In cooler months, the bag translates beautifully into autumn and winter dressing. Carry it with a camel coat, dark trousers, and ankle boots. A bag knitted in a rich jewel tone — deep plum, forest green, sapphire — will glow against a neutral cold-weather wardrobe in a way that instantly lifts the whole look.
Why Patterns from LoveCrafts Are Worth Your Time
LoveCrafts has built its reputation on offering patterns that are well-tested, clearly written, and supported by a community of makers who have worked through any quirks and shared their experience. When you purchase a pattern through LoveCrafts, you also gain access to the project page where other knitters have shared their finished objects and notes — an invaluable resource if you hit a confusing section or simply want to see what the bag looks like in different colorways before you commit to your own.
Emi Harrington’s work on LoveCrafts reflects a consistent commitment to designs that are both beautiful and technically sound. The 689P is a testament to what a thoughtful independent designer can produce: a pattern with genuine personality that rewards careful work.
Final Thoughts
The 689P Knitted Purse Handbag with Handles, Flower, and Leaf pattern by Emi Harrington is the kind of project that reminds you why you fell in love with knitting in the first place. It is structured but not rigid, detailed but not overwhelming, and the finished object is something you will genuinely use and treasure. Whether you are making it for yourself or as a gift for someone who appreciates the value of a handmade thing, it is a deeply worthwhile project.
If you have been looking for a bag pattern that goes beyond the functional and into the truly lovely, look no further. Cast on with confidence, take your time with the embellishments, and enjoy every step of the process. The bag at the end of it is going to be wonderful.
