Linen Stitch Coin Purse Free Knitting Pattern

There is something deeply satisfying about a small project that teaches you a big technique. The linen stitch coin purse is exactly that kind of project — compact enough to finish in an evening, yet rich enough in texture and structure to keep your hands genuinely engaged from cast-on to bind-off. Whether you are a beginner who has mastered the knit stitch and wants to try something a step beyond, or an experienced knitter looking for a quick and beautiful gift idea, this pattern will give you everything you need to create a charming, functional little purse that looks like it came from a boutique shop.

In this post, you will find a complete free knitting pattern for a linen stitch coin purse, along with detailed instructions, yarn recommendations, tips for getting the stitch just right, and ideas for finishing and customizing your finished piece. Bookmark this page, gather your materials, and let’s get started.

What Is the Linen Stitch?

Before diving into the pattern itself, it is worth taking a moment to understand what makes the linen stitch so special. The linen stitch — sometimes called the woven stitch or the linen seed stitch — is a two-row repeating pattern that creates a dense, woven-looking fabric. The resulting texture closely resembles a piece of woven linen cloth, which is exactly how it got its name.

The stitch is worked by alternating knit stitches with yarn-held-in-front slip stitches across every row. This technique creates a fabric that is thicker and more structured than standard stockinette, with very little curl at the edges. That last quality alone makes it ideal for small accessories like coin purses, where you want the fabric to hold its shape without any blocking trickery.

The linen stitch does use more yarn than simpler stitches because of the way the yarn is carried across the slipped stitches on the wrong side. Keep that in mind when calculating how much yarn you need, but for a small project like this coin purse, a single skein of fingering or DK weight yarn is more than enough.

Why Knit a Linen Stitch Coin Purse?

Coin purses might seem like a small ambition, but they are one of the most practical handmade gifts you can make. They tuck into bags, sit on desks, hold earbuds, carry lip balm, organize small change — the uses are genuinely endless. A knitted coin purse made in the linen stitch has a few particular advantages over other styles.

First, the fabric is naturally firm and holds its shape beautifully. You do not need to add an interfacing or lining for the purse to look and feel well-made, although you absolutely can if you prefer a more polished interior. Second, the woven appearance of the linen stitch looks sophisticated in a way that other stitch patterns simply do not. People will assume you spent far longer on it than you did. Third, this is a genuinely quick project. Most knitters complete the body of this coin purse in two to four hours, which makes it perfect for a weekend afternoon or a series of commutes.

Materials You Will Need

Here is everything you need before you cast on.

Yarn: Approximately 50 to 75 yards of fingering weight or DK weight yarn. Smooth yarns with good stitch definition work best for the linen stitch because they allow the texture to read clearly. Cotton or cotton-blend yarns are particularly lovely for this project since they enhance the linen-like appearance of the stitch. That said, wool, linen, bamboo blends, or even acrylic will all produce a beautiful result. Choose a color you love — this is a small project, so treat yourself to something a little special.

Needles: US size 2 (2.75mm) for fingering weight, or US size 5 (3.75mm) for DK weight. The linen stitch creates a tight fabric, so you may want to go up half a size from your usual needle for the same yarn. Check your gauge and adjust accordingly.

Zipper: One 5-inch zipper in a coordinating or contrasting color. Metal or nylon zippers both work well. You can find these at fabric stores, online, or by repurposing a zipper from a worn-out bag.

Notions: A blunt tapestry needle for seaming, scissors, and optionally a sewing needle and thread in a matching color for attaching the zipper. Stitch markers and a row counter will help you keep track of your progress.

Gauge

Gauge is less critical for this project than it would be for a garment, but it does affect the final size of your purse. A general target for fingering weight on US 2 needles is approximately 32 stitches and 40 rows per 4 inches in linen stitch. For DK weight on US 5 needles, aim for approximately 24 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches.

If your gauge is slightly off, your purse will simply be a bit larger or smaller than described. For most people, this is not a problem at all — a coin purse does not need to be an exact size to function perfectly.

Finished Dimensions

This pattern produces a coin purse measuring approximately 4 inches wide and 3 inches tall when laid flat, with a 5-inch zipper along the top. It is the perfect size to hold cards, coins, folded bills, or a handful of small personal items.

The Linen Stitch Coin Purse Free Knitting Pattern

Abbreviations

k — knit
p — purl
sl1wyif — slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn held in front
sl1wyib — slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn held in back
co — cast on
bo — bind off
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
rep — repeat
pm — place marker
sm — slip marker

Instructions

Cast On

Using your preferred cast-on method, cast on 48 stitches. A long-tail cast-on is recommended for this project because it creates a neat, slightly stretchy edge that pairs well with the linen stitch fabric.

Set Up Row (WS): Purl across all stitches.

Linen Stitch Pattern

The linen stitch is worked over a 2-stitch repeat across 2 rows. Here is how it works:

Row 1 (RS): K1, sl1wyif; rep from to end of row.

Row 2 (WS): P1, sl1wyib; rep from to end of row.

These two rows form the complete linen stitch pattern. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work measures approximately 6 inches from the cast-on edge, or until you have worked the number of rows that gives you a 3-inch rectangle when folded in half.

For a more specific row count, work rows 1 and 2 a total of 24 times (48 rows total) if you are using fingering weight yarn at the gauge given above, or 16 times (32 rows total) for DK weight.

Bind Off

Bind off all stitches loosely on a right-side row using a standard bind-off. If you tend to bind off tightly, use a needle one size larger for the bind-off row. The top edge should be slightly flexible to accommodate the zipper attachment.

Finishing the Purse Body

Once you have bound off all stitches and woven in your ends, you will have a flat rectangle of linen stitch fabric. Fold this rectangle in half so the cast-on edge meets the bind-off edge. The right sides of the fabric should be facing inward.

Using your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, seam the two side edges together using mattress stitch or whip stitch, whichever you prefer. Mattress stitch creates a nearly invisible seam on the right side and is recommended if you want a polished finish. Work from the folded bottom up to the open top on each side, making sure your tension is even so the seam lies flat.

Once both sides are seamed, turn the purse right side out. You should now have a small pouch with an open top edge.

Attaching the Zipper

Attaching a zipper to a knitted project can feel intimidating if you have never done it before, but this method makes it approachable for all skill levels.

Begin by pinning the zipper in place along the open top edge of the purse. Position the zipper face down against the wrong side of the fabric, aligning the zipper tape with the knitted edge. Make sure the zipper pull is accessible and the zipper opens and closes without catching on the knitted fabric.

Using a sewing needle and thread in a color that matches your yarn, sew the zipper to the knitted fabric using small, neat whip stitches. Work along one side of the zipper tape first, then fold the purse back open and stitch the other side. Keep your stitches close together and try to catch only one or two plies of yarn with each stitch so the stitching is not visible from the right side.

If you prefer, you can also use a crochet hook and a length of yarn to single crochet the zipper in place. This method produces a slightly more rustic look but is very sturdy and does not require a sewing needle.

Once the zipper is fully attached, give the zipper a few test runs to make sure everything opens and closes smoothly. Trim any excess zipper tape and seal the ends with a small dab of fabric glue or fold them under and stitch them down.

Tips for Perfect Linen Stitch

The linen stitch is not a difficult stitch, but there are a few habits that will help you achieve the best possible results from the very beginning.

Keep your tension consistent. The slipped stitches are the key to the linen stitch’s woven appearance, and if they are worked too tightly, they will pucker the fabric and distort the texture. When you bring the yarn to the front and slip a stitch, let the yarn lie naturally across the face of the slipped stitch without pulling it snug. Think of it as a float, similar to stranded colorwork.

Count your stitches frequently, especially at the beginning. It is easy to accidentally knit a slipped stitch or slip a stitch you were supposed to knit, and these mistakes can be hard to spot until you have a few more rows of fabric to look at. Counting at the end of every fourth or fifth row in the beginning will help you catch any errors before they become a larger problem.

Use a row counter or make a tally mark for every completed pattern repeat. Because the linen stitch looks very similar on rows 1 and 2, it can be easy to lose your place. A physical row counter that you click after completing each row will save you from the frustration of ripping back to figure out which row you are on.

Block your finished piece if you want a smoother drape. The linen stitch fabric does not need blocking to hold its shape, but a light wet blocking will even out your tension and give the texture a more uniform appearance. For cotton yarns especially, blocking makes a noticeable difference in the final look of the fabric.

Yarn Substitutions and Color Ideas

One of the great joys of a small project like this coin purse is that it gives you a chance to use up scraps from your stash. Almost any smooth yarn in fingering or DK weight will work beautifully. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

A single solid color in a deep jewel tone — navy, forest green, burgundy, mustard — lets the texture of the linen stitch take center stage. Because the stitch creates such a distinctive pattern, a solid color really allows it to shine.

If you want something a little more playful, try a self-striping sock yarn. The color changes will layer over the woven texture in unexpected and delightful ways, and you get the visual interest of multiple colors without any colorwork complexity.

For a truly linen-inspired look, choose an actual linen or linen-blend yarn in a natural, undyed tone. The fiber and the stitch pattern together create something that looks genuinely artisanal and special.

High-contrast color combinations also work wonderfully if you choose to line the inside of your purse with a coordinating fabric. A deep charcoal purse with a bright floral lining, for instance, would make an unforgettable gift.

Customization Ideas

Once you have made one coin purse and feel comfortable with the linen stitch, there are dozens of ways to vary this basic pattern and make each one unique.

You can add an initial or a small motif to the front panel using duplicate stitch after the knitting is complete. Duplicate stitch is a simple embroidery technique worked on top of finished knitting that allows you to add single stitches of color without any stranded colorwork during knitting.

You can add a small tassel or a decorative bead to the zipper pull for a bit of extra flair. Leather cord, ribbon, or a bit of chain can all make beautiful zipper pulls and take only a minute or two to attach.

If you want a larger bag, simply cast on more stitches and work more rows. The linen stitch scales beautifully, and the same techniques apply whether you are making a tiny coin purse or a full-sized clutch. A 72-stitch cast-on with 80 rows of linen stitch will give you a bag approximately twice the size of this pattern.

You can also experiment with adding a lining. Cut a piece of fabric to match the dimensions of your knitted rectangle, sew it into a small pouch on your sewing machine, and slip it inside the finished knitted bag before attaching the zipper. A lining adds a polished interior finish and makes the bag more durable over time.

Gifting Your Linen Stitch Coin Purse

Few handmade gifts are as universally appreciated as a small, beautifully made accessory. A linen stitch coin purse works for nearly everyone — it is useful, it is elegant without being fussy, and it communicates the kind of care and effort that store-bought gifts simply cannot match.

If you are making these as gifts, consider knitting a small batch in different colors so each recipient gets something that feels personal to them. Stack four or five of these on your needles over the course of a few weeks and you will have a full set of handmade gifts ready to go long before any occasion arrives.

Tie the finished purse with a bit of natural twine or ribbon and tuck in a small handwritten tag explaining the stitch. Many people who receive handmade gifts genuinely love knowing a little about what went into making them.

A Few Words on Learning the Linen Stitch

If this is your first time working the linen stitch, give yourself a little grace during the first ten or fifteen rows. Every new technique has a learning curve, and the linen stitch requires a slightly different rhythm than standard knitting because of the constant yarn positioning changes. By the time you have worked a few inches of fabric, the rhythm will feel natural and your hands will fall into the pattern almost automatically.

The finished fabric will reward your patience. There are few things in knitting quite as pleasing as the dense, woven look of a well-executed linen stitch, and knowing that such a sophisticated-looking fabric comes from a simple two-row repeat makes it even more satisfying.

Storing Your Finished Purse

Knitted accessories benefit from thoughtful storage between uses. Keep your linen stitch coin purse away from direct sunlight if you are storing it for an extended period, as prolonged sun exposure can fade some dyes over time. If your purse is made from a natural fiber like cotton or linen, it can be hand washed gently in cool water and laid flat to dry whenever it needs refreshing.

The linen stitch fabric is naturally resilient and holds up well to everyday use. With minimal care, your coin purse will remain beautiful for years.

Final Thoughts

The linen stitch coin purse is one of those patterns that earns a permanent place in a knitter’s repertoire. It is fast, it is satisfying, and the results are always impressive. Once you have made your first one, you will find yourself reaching for this pattern again and again — for gifts, for personal use, for charity donations, for craft fair tables, or simply for the pleasure of working a stitch that never stops being beautiful.

Whether you are knitting your very first textured stitch or your fiftieth coin purse, this pattern gives you something lovely to make and keep. Cast on, settle in, and enjoy every row.