Coin Purse Knitting Pattern: Vintage Small Purse with Kiss Lock Frame — Free Knit Clutch Bag & Mini Wallet Pouch Guide
There is something quietly magical about a small, handmade purse that snaps shut with a satisfying click. If you have ever fallen in love with a vintage coin purse — the kind with a golden kiss lock frame that opens with a gentle squeeze — you already understand exactly why this pattern has captured the hearts of so many knitters. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to knit your own vintage-style coin purse, mini wallet pouch, or knit clutch bag, complete with tips, yarn recommendations, customization ideas, and links to helpful video tutorials you can find right on Etsy and YouTube.
Whether you are a beginner looking for your first accessories project or an experienced knitter searching for a charming gift idea, this kiss lock change purse pattern is the perfect afternoon project. Let’s dive in.
Why Knitters Love the Coin Purse Knitting Pattern
Knitting small accessories has experienced a huge resurgence in popularity, and it is easy to see why. A coin purse knitting pattern gives you all the satisfaction of a finished object — the kind you can actually use every day — without demanding weeks of your time. Most knitters complete the fabric portion of this mini wallet pouch in just a few hours, making it one of the most rewarding quick knits around.
The vintage small purse aesthetic is particularly appealing right now. There is a growing appreciation for slow fashion, handmade goods, and heirloom-quality accessories, and a beautifully knitted clutch bag with a brass kiss lock frame checks every one of those boxes. Displayed in a market basket, tucked inside a larger handbag, or given as a heartfelt gift, these little purses carry a sense of care and craftsmanship that no mass-produced wallet ever could.
Sellers on Etsy have noticed this trend, and you will find a wonderful variety of coin purse knitting patterns available in digital download format — many of them paired with video tutorials that make following along incredibly accessible, even for newer knitters.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on, gather the following supplies. This list covers the basics for a standard vintage small purse with a kiss lock frame, but feel free to adjust based on the specific pattern you purchase or download.
Yarn: Choose a yarn that has some body and structure. A light worsted weight or DK weight works beautifully for this project. Many knitters love using cotton or cotton-blend yarns because they hold their shape well and resist stretching, which is important for a functional purse. That said, wool blends add a lovely rustic texture that suits the vintage aesthetic perfectly. You will need approximately 50 to 100 yards depending on the finished size you want.
Needles: US size 4 (3.5mm) to US size 6 (4.0mm) straight or double-pointed needles work well for most coin purse knitting patterns. Always check your gauge before beginning.
Kiss Lock Frame: This is the hardware that gives your knit clutch bag its vintage character. Kiss lock frames, also called flex frames or purse frames, are available in a range of sizes — typically between 3 inches and 6 inches wide. They come in gold, silver, antique brass, and rose gold finishes. You can find them on Etsy, at craft supply stores, and through online retailers. For a standard coin purse, a 3.5-inch or 4-inch frame is ideal.
Lining Fabric (optional but recommended): A small piece of cotton lining fabric keeps the interior of your purse tidy and prevents items from poking through the knit fabric. Choose a coordinating print or a contrasting color for a pop of personality. You will need roughly a quarter yard of fabric for most small purse projects.
Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and seaming.
Stitch Markers: Helpful for marking the center of your work and keeping track of shaping rows.
Sewing Needle and Thread: For attaching the lining and sewing the knit fabric to the kiss lock frame.
Understanding Gauge and Sizing
Gauge matters more than many beginner knitters expect, especially for structured accessories like a mini wallet pouch or coin purse. When the fabric is too loose, the purse will lack the firmness needed to hold its shape and sit properly in the kiss lock frame. When the fabric is too tight, it may pucker or prove difficult to seam.
A typical gauge for this type of project falls around 20 to 22 stitches per 4 inches in stockinette stitch with worsted weight yarn on US size 5 needles. Knit a small swatch, measure it carefully, and adjust your needle size accordingly before committing to the full project. Taking ten minutes to check your gauge can save you from a frustrating do-over later.
Most standard coin purse knitting patterns produce a finished purse approximately 4 to 5 inches wide and 3 to 4 inches tall when folded and attached to the frame. If you want a slightly larger clutch bag or mini wallet pouch, simply work more rows or increase your stitch count — just remember to choose a correspondingly larger frame.
Step-by-Step Knitting Instructions
The following instructions will guide you through a simple, classic coin purse worked flat in two identical panels that are then seamed together and attached to the kiss lock frame. This is the foundation method used in most vintage small purse patterns, and it produces a beautifully clean finished result.
Cast On
Using your chosen yarn and needles, cast on 30 stitches. If you prefer a wider purse, cast on 36 or 40 stitches. A long-tail cast on is recommended here because it creates a neat, elastic edge that seams beautifully.
Body of the Purse
Row 1 (right side): Knit across.
Row 2 (wrong side): Purl across.
Continue working in stockinette stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows) until your piece measures approximately 3.5 inches from the cast on edge. This forms the lower half of one side of the purse.
Shaping the Top Edge
To create the gentle curve that allows the knit fabric to sit neatly inside the kiss lock frame, you will work a few short decrease rows near the top of the piece.
Row 1: K2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, ssk. (28 stitches remain)
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: K2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, ssk. (26 stitches remain)
Row 4: Purl across.
Bind off all remaining stitches loosely. The top edge of your knitted panel should now have a slight taper at both corners, which helps the fabric fold smoothly around the frame.
Repeat all steps to create a second identical panel. You now have the front and back of your vintage coin purse.
Seaming
Place the two panels with wrong sides together. Using your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, seam along the bottom edge and both side edges using mattress stitch or whipstitch. Leave the top edge open — this is where you will attach the kiss lock frame.
Weave in all ends carefully and give the seamed purse a light press with a damp cloth to even out the fabric.
Attaching the Kiss Lock Frame
This step is where your knit change purse transforms from a small fabric pouch into a vintage-style treasure, and it is easier than it looks. Here is a simple and reliable method used by many knitters and crafters.
Thread a tapestry needle with a length of sturdy thread or thin cotton yarn in a color that matches your purse or your frame. Starting at one corner of the frame channel, begin sewing the top edge of your knitted fabric to the inside of the frame, working the needle in and out through the small holes along the frame edge and through the knit stitches along the top of your purse. Pull firmly but evenly so the fabric sits snugly inside the channel without puckering.
Work your way along one half of the frame, then repeat for the other half. When you reach the center, check that both sides look even and the purse sits symmetrically within the frame. Tie off securely and hide the knot inside the channel.
Give the kiss lock a gentle test — it should open and close with a satisfying click. If the fabric feels loose or uneven, go back and tighten your stitching in those areas before finishing.
Adding a Fabric Lining
A fabric lining is not strictly required, but it elevates your finished coin purse knitting project from charming to truly polished. A lining also provides structural support, making the purse easier to use and longer lasting.
To make the lining, place your finished knit purse on your fabric of choice and trace around it, adding a half-inch seam allowance on all sides. Cut out two identical fabric pieces. Sew them together along the sides and bottom with wrong sides facing out, leaving the top edge open. Clip the corners and turn right side out.
Slip the fabric lining inside your knit purse so wrong sides are together. Fold the top edge of the lining down by about a half inch and pin it in place just below the kiss lock frame. Use a hand sewing needle and thread to slip stitch the lining to the knit fabric, keeping your stitches small and neat. The lining should sit invisibly inside the purse, visible only when the purse is open.
Stitch and Texture Variations
One of the real joys of working from a coin purse knitting pattern is how easily you can customize the look and feel of the finished piece. While basic stockinette is classic and beautiful, a few simple stitch variations can completely transform the character of your vintage small purse.
Seed Stitch: Working in seed stitch (alternating knit and purl stitches across every row) creates a dense, textured fabric with a lovely bumpy surface. Seed stitch holds its shape extremely well and has a charming cottage-style look that suits the vintage kiss lock aesthetic perfectly.
Garter Stitch: If you prefer the simplest possible approach — or if you want a purse with a slightly more relaxed, rustic feel — work every row as a knit row. The resulting ridged fabric lies flat naturally and is especially beginner-friendly.
Cable Panel: Adding a simple 4-stitch or 6-stitch cable down the center front of your purse creates a striking focal point and gives the finished piece an heirloom quality. Even a single twist cable repeated every 6 rows makes a significant visual impact on a small accessory like this.
Color Work: A small stranded colorwork motif — a tiny flower, a geometric border, or a simple heart — adds a whimsical, hand-painted quality to your knit change purse. Keep the motif centered and contained to the lower half of the purse body for the cleanest result.
Choosing Colors and Yarn for a Vintage Look
The color palette you choose plays a significant role in achieving that coveted vintage small purse aesthetic. Dusty, muted tones tend to read as more antique and romantic — think faded rose, sage green, powder blue, warm cream, lavender grey, or deep burgundy. Pairing these softer colors with an antique brass kiss lock frame creates an instantly nostalgic look.
For a more bold and graphic vintage feel, try rich jewel tones like forest green, cobalt, or ochre yellow against a gold frame. This look has a wonderful 1960s mod purse energy that is equally fun and fashionable.
If you want a more modern take on the knit clutch bag, high-contrast combinations — black purse with silver frame, or white purse with gold hardware — keep things sleek and wearable with any outfit.
As for fiber content, consider the following options. Merino wool gives a soft, luxurious finish with good stitch definition. Cotton and cotton-linen blends are crisp, structured, and washable, making them especially practical for everyday coin purses. Alpaca adds incredible softness and a beautiful drape but may require a sturdier lining to keep the purse from stretching. Novelty yarns — tweeds, slubbed yarns, or bouclé — can add wonderful texture and visual interest to an otherwise simple design.
Video Tutorials on Etsy and YouTube
If you are a visual learner, you will be glad to know that many Etsy sellers include video tutorials as part of their digital pattern downloads. These videos walk you through every step of the process, from casting on to attaching the kiss lock frame, in real time. Watching an experienced knitter demonstrate the frame attachment technique in particular can make the difference between a frustrating experience and a satisfying one.
When searching Etsy for a coin purse knitting pattern with video, look for listings that specifically mention video tutorials, step-by-step video guides, or video-supported patterns in their descriptions. Many sellers include links to private or unlisted video tutorials that are accessible only to pattern purchasers, which means you get personalized, detailed guidance without having to sort through dozens of unrelated YouTube results.
On YouTube, search terms like “kiss lock purse knitting tutorial,” “knit coin purse with frame,” or “mini knit clutch bag pattern” will surface a range of free video guides. These are particularly useful for understanding the frame attachment process, which can feel intimidating the first time but becomes completely intuitive with a little practice and a visual reference.
Gift Ideas and Uses for Your Finished Coin Purse
Once you have knitted your first vintage coin purse, you will almost certainly want to make several more — they are that enjoyable to knit and that well-received as gifts. Here are just a few ideas for how to use and share your finished mini wallet pouches and knit clutch bags.
A beautifully knitted kiss lock coin purse makes an exceptional gift for birthdays, Mother’s Day, graduations, or the holiday season. Tuck a few folded bills or a gift card inside for a presentation that is as memorable as the gift itself. Teachers, bridesmaids, grandmothers, and best friends all tend to be particularly appreciative recipients.
Use one as an everyday coin purse tucked inside your main bag, or let it double as a travel jewelry pouch for keeping earrings, rings, and small chains organized in your luggage. A larger version of the same pattern makes a lovely evening clutch for special occasions — just choose a luxurious yarn like silk blend or metallic-threaded mohair and pair it with a decorative frame for a truly special finished piece.
Craft fair vendors and Etsy sellers also find that handknit coin purses are consistently popular sellers, especially during the fall and winter market season. If you are considering selling your finished pieces, the combination of a beautiful knit texture and a satisfying vintage kiss lock frame creates exactly the kind of artisan product that attracts buyers who appreciate slow-made goods.
Care Instructions for Your Knit Coin Purse
To keep your finished coin purse looking its best, always refer to the care instructions on your yarn label. In general, hand washing in cool water with a gentle wool wash or mild soap is the safest option for most knitted accessories. Gently press out excess water without wringing or twisting, then reshape and lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight or heat.
If your purse has a fabric lining, check that the lining fabric is also hand-washable before immersing the whole piece. When in doubt, spot cleaning with a damp cloth is always a safe approach for maintaining the hardware and fabric together.
The kiss lock frame itself can be wiped clean with a soft dry cloth. Avoid submerging metal frames in water, as prolonged moisture exposure can cause tarnishing over time.
Final Thoughts: Start Knitting Your Vintage Kiss Lock Coin Purse Today
There are not many knitting projects that deliver such a complete package — fast to knit, practical to use, beautiful to look at, and genuinely meaningful to give. A coin purse knitting pattern with a kiss lock frame is the kind of project that reminds you why you fell in love with knitting in the first place. Every stitch is purposeful, the finished object fits in the palm of your hand, and that satisfying click of the frame snapping shut feels like a small, daily reward for your craft.
Whether you search Etsy for a vintage small purse knit pattern with a video tutorial, browse YouTube for a free kiss lock change purse guide, or follow the instructions laid out here, this is a project worth picking up today. Your yarn stash almost certainly already has the perfect skein waiting for exactly this purpose.
Cast on, click it shut, and carry a little handmade beauty with you everywhere you go.
