Free Stash Buster Knitting Pattern: Adorable Coin Purse You Can Make in an Afternoon

If you’ve been knitting for any length of time, you know the feeling. You open your craft room closet or dig through your yarn basket and find yourself surrounded by small balls of leftover yarn — beautiful colors you fell in love with, single skeins from old projects, tiny amounts that feel like too little to do anything meaningful with. This is what knitters affectionately call “the stash,” and those small, stubborn remnants are what we call stash busters.

Today’s project is perfect for exactly that scenario. This free coin purse knitting pattern is a quick, satisfying make that uses small amounts of yarn, works up in a single afternoon, and produces something genuinely useful that you’ll reach for every single day. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first successful project or an experienced knitter who just wants something fun and low-commitment, this pattern has you covered.

Let’s dig in.

Why Coin Purses Are the Ultimate Stash Buster Project

Before we get into the actual pattern, it’s worth talking about why coin purses are such a brilliant choice when you’re trying to use up scraps and leftovers.

First, they’re small. A finished coin purse uses somewhere between 20 and 50 yards of yarn depending on the size you make, which means almost any scrap in your stash qualifies. That sad little half-ball of DK weight you’ve been moving from shelf to shelf for two years? Perfect. The single leftover skein of sock yarn you couldn’t bear to throw away after finishing a pair? Ideal.

Second, coin purses are fast. There’s no gauge swatch required for something this small (though you should always swatch if you’re making garments), no complicated sizing math, and no committing to a pattern you might tire of. From casting on to binding off, you can finish this entire project in two to four hours depending on your knitting speed.

Third, they make incredible gifts. A handknit coin purse with a zipper is charming in a way that very few handmade items manage to be. It looks intentional, polished, and thoughtful. Nobody needs to know you whipped it up on a Tuesday evening while watching television.

And finally, they’re a fantastic opportunity to practice techniques you might be avoiding. Short rows, picking up stitches, knitting in the round, colorwork — depending on which variation you choose, this little project can gently push your skills forward without overwhelming you.

Materials You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to gather before you start:

Yarn: Approximately 40 to 50 yards of DK or worsted weight yarn. This is a great pattern for using two or three complementary colors if you want a striped or colorblock look, or a single solid or variegated yarn if you prefer simplicity. You can also use fingering or sock weight yarn — just adjust your needle size and expect a slightly smaller finished object.

Needles: US size 5 (3.75mm) for DK weight, or US size 7 (4.5mm) for worsted weight. You can work this pattern on straight needles or DPNs depending on your preferred method for the construction.

Zipper: A 6-inch or 7-inch zipper in a color that complements your yarn. You can find these at fabric stores, craft stores, or online in virtually every color imaginable. Nylon coil zippers work particularly well for this project because they’re flexible and easy to sew.

Tapestry needle: For weaving in ends and seaming.

Sewing needle and thread: To attach the zipper. Match your thread color to your yarn for the most seamless look.

Stitch markers (optional): Helpful if you’re working the boxed bottom variation.

Scissors: Obviously.

Gauge

Approximately 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using DK weight yarn and US size 5 needles.

Gauge isn’t critical for this project since it’s not sized to fit a body, but keeping it in mind will help you produce a fabric that’s neither too loose and floppy nor too tight and stiff. You want something with a little structure but still pleasant to handle.

Abbreviations

CO — cast on
BO — bind off
k — knit
p — purl
k2tog — knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
ssk — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
st(s) — stitch(es)
rep — repeat

The Pattern: Classic Flat Coin Purse

This is the simplest version of the pattern and the best starting point if you’re newer to knitting or just want a quick, no-fuss make. It’s worked flat in two identical pieces that are then seamed together on three sides, with the zipper sewn along the top opening.

Finished Dimensions

Approximately 4.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall. This is the perfect size for coins, cards, lip balm, earbuds, or just about anything small you want to keep organized.

Instructions

Make two identical pieces.

Cast on 24 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat these two rows (working in stockinette stitch) until your piece measures 3.5 inches from the cast on edge, ending with a wrong side row.

Bind off all stitches.

Weave in ends on both pieces.

Assembly

Lay your two pieces with wrong sides facing each other and edges aligned. Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, seam along the bottom edge and both side edges using mattress stitch or whipstitch. Leave the top edge open — this is where your zipper will go.

Weave in any remaining ends and give the purse a gentle blocking if desired. Wet blocking will even out your stitches beautifully and give the finished piece a more professional look.

To attach the zipper, open it halfway, then align one side of the zipper tape along the inside of the top edge of the purse. Using your sewing needle and thread, stitch the zipper tape to the purse with small, even stitches. Repeat on the other side. When you’re done, turn the purse right side out and test the zipper a few times to make sure it opens and closes smoothly.

Variation: The Striped Stash Buster Version

This is where the stash busting really gets creative. Instead of using a single color, grab three or four scraps in colors you love together and work stripes of varying widths for a cheerful, patchwork-inspired look.

Cast on 24 stitches in your first color. Work 6 rows, then switch to your second color. Work 4 rows, then switch to your third color. Work 6 rows, switch back to your first color, work 4 rows, and so on until your piece reaches 3.5 inches. Bind off.

The key to beautiful stripes is carrying your unused yarn loosely up the side of your work rather than cutting it every time you change colors. If your stripes are more than 6 rows apart, it’s better to cut and rejoin — just be prepared to weave in a few extra ends.

The result is a coin purse that looks intentional and artful, like it took much more planning than it did. Nobody needs to know it was a total improvisation.

Variation: The Seed Stitch Coin Purse

If you prefer a little more texture and structure in your fabric, try working this pattern in seed stitch instead of stockinette. Seed stitch has the added benefit of being reversible, which makes seaming and finishing slightly less fussy since you don’t have to worry about keeping a specific side facing out.

Cast on 25 stitches (an odd number makes the pattern self-correcting).

Every row: K1, p1 to the last stitch, k1.

Repeat this row until your piece measures 3.5 inches. Bind off in pattern.

Seed stitch uses very slightly more yarn than stockinette, so bump your yardage estimate up to about 55 yards total to be safe. The finished fabric will be thicker and more structured, which gives the coin purse a really satisfying, sturdy feel.

Variation: Boxed Bottom Coin Purse

For a coin purse with a little more capacity and a flat bottom that lets it stand upright on its own, try this boxed bottom technique. It sounds fancier than it is, and the result is significantly more functional.

Work the flat pieces exactly as in the basic pattern, but make them slightly larger: cast on 24 stitches and work until your piece measures 4.5 inches from the cast on edge.

When seaming, instead of simply joining the corners, pinch each bottom corner of the purse so that the bottom seam and the side seam align, forming a triangle of fabric. Stitch across this triangle about half an inch from the point, then trim the excess fabric or tuck it inside. When you turn the purse right side out, you’ll have a flat, structured bottom.

This is a technique borrowed from sewn bags and wallets, and it translates beautifully to knitting. Your coin purse will look like something you bought at a boutique.

Tips for Choosing Yarn Colors

One of the most delightful parts of a stash buster project is that it essentially makes color decisions for you — you use what you have. But if you’re buying yarn specifically for this project or want some guidance on combining scraps, here are a few principles that work especially well for small accessories.

Contrast is your friend. A dark base with a bright contrasting stripe will always look striking. Think navy and mustard yellow, deep burgundy and cream, forest green and coral.

Analogous colors feel harmonious. Colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel — teal, turquoise, and sky blue, for instance — blend beautifully in stripes or color blocks without competing.

Don’t overlook neutrals. A simple purse in one perfect neutral color — a warm oatmeal, a rich charcoal, a classic camel — is quietly sophisticated and pairs with everything. If you have a ball of gorgeous heathered wool sitting in your stash that you’ve been saving for the “right” project, this is it.

Variegated yarn works beautifully. A single skein of hand-dyed or commercially variegated yarn creates movement and interest all on its own. You don’t need to do anything clever — just knit.

Finishing Details That Make a Difference

The knitting itself is the fun part, but finishing is what takes your project from homemade to handcrafted. Here are a few details worth paying attention to.

Weave in your ends thoroughly. On something this small that will be handled frequently and stuffed in pockets and bags, ends need to be woven in securely. Thread your tapestry needle through several stitches in different directions rather than just running it in a straight line.

Wet block your pieces before seaming. Soaking your knit pieces in cool water, gently squeezing out the excess, and laying them flat to dry makes seaming dramatically easier and evens out any uneven tension. Even five or ten minutes of blocking makes a visible difference.

Choose your seaming method thoughtfully. Mattress stitch creates an almost invisible seam on stockinette fabric. Whipstitch is faster but more visible. For seed stitch, a simple whipstitch along the inside of the purse often looks the cleanest. Pick the method that works best for your specific fabric.

Take your time with the zipper. This is the step where beginners often rush, and it shows. Pinning the zipper in place before sewing it gives you the chance to check that everything is aligned and centered before you commit. A slightly wobbly zipper is absolutely functional, but a perfectly straight one is a small pleasure every time you open the purse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use sock yarn for this pattern?

Absolutely. Sock yarn is wonderfully durable and comes in gorgeous colorways. Use US size 1 or 2 needles (2.25mm to 2.75mm), cast on 30 stitches, and work until your piece measures 3.5 inches. The finished purse will be slightly smaller and have a finer, more delicate fabric. A coin purse in sock yarn feels almost luxurious.

Can I make this pattern on a circular needle?

Yes. If you prefer to avoid a seam along the sides, you can knit the body of the purse in the round on a short circular or DPNs. Cast on 48 stitches, join to work in the round, and knit every round in stockinette until your piece measures 3.5 inches. Then you’ll only need to seam the bottom, which makes for a cleaner finished object.

What if I don’t know how to sew in a zipper?

There are many helpful video tutorials online that walk through attaching a zipper to a knit item step by step. Alternatively, you can finish this purse as a drawstring bag instead — just add a simple picot or garter stitch edge at the top and thread a length of ribbon, cord, or I-cord through it. It’s a completely different look but equally charming.

How do I make it bigger?

Simply cast on more stitches and work more rows. Each stitch adds roughly 2mm to the width and each two rows adds about 1mm to the height when working in DK weight. You can easily size this up to a small pouch or even a small clutch-style bag using the same construction method.

Beyond the Coin Purse: Other Quick Stash Buster Knits

Once you’ve fallen in love with small, fast projects that use up your leftovers, there’s no going back. A few other stash buster favorites worth mentioning: fingerless mitts, small pouches for jewelry or earbuds, bookmarks worked in garter stitch, soap sachets for the bathroom, small flat dishcloths, and cup coozies. All of these share the same virtues as this coin purse — they’re small, fast, and a genuine pleasure to make.

The beauty of knitting is that nothing goes to waste if you’re willing to be creative. Those small scraps in your stash aren’t a problem. They’re an invitation.

Final Thoughts

This free stash buster coin purse pattern is proof that small things made with care and intention carry their own kind of magic. There’s something wonderful about turning a forgotten ball of yarn into something you carry with you every day — something that holds your bus pass or your lip gloss or your emergency aspirin, and that you made with your own hands in a single afternoon.

If you make this pattern, I’d love to see how it turns out. Snap a photo and share it — seeing other knitters’ color combinations and variations is one of the best parts of the crafting community. Every one turns out a little different, and that’s exactly as it should be.

Now go dig through your stash. Your next favorite project is already waiting in there.