Retro Camera Purse

Retro Camera Purse Knitting Pattern by Amanda Berry

What is Being Made

The Retro Camera Purse is a small clutch-style bag designed to function as a practical accessory with secure storage. Featuring a zip top closure, this purse keeps belongings safely contained while maintaining a charming retro aesthetic. The finished purse measures 13cm wide, making it an ideal size for carrying essentials as a compact clutch or camera case.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs multiple advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and authentic detailing. Intarsia colour-work is the primary method used to incorporate the retro camera design, allowing for seamless color changes throughout the knitted fabric. Both charts and written instructions are provided to guide knitters through the colour-work sections. Additionally, Swiss darning, also known as duplicate stitch embroidery, is used as a finishing technique to add fine details to the camera motif after the main knitting is complete.

The purse is worked flat, meaning you will knit back and forth on straight single-pointed needles rather than in the round. This construction method is ideal for creating a structured bag piece that can be seamed together.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout this pattern is stockinette stitch, also known as stocking stitch. This fundamental knit stitch is created by knitting all stitches on the right-side rows and purling all stitches on the wrong-side rows, producing the classic smooth, V-patterned fabric that serves as the perfect canvas for the intarsia colour-work design.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern calls for acrylic DK yarn, also referred to as double knit, 8 ply, or light worsted weight yarn. The total yarn requirement is approximately 25g distributed across three yarn shades: Brown, Red, and White. The use of acrylic yarn makes this project accessible and affordable, though the original yarns used in the photographed sample have been discontinued.

Knitting needles required for this project are 4mm straight single-pointed needles. The recommended tension is 22 stitches by 28 rows over a 10cm by 10cm square when working in stockinette stitch on 4mm needles. Achieving proper tension is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions of your purse.

Additional materials needed include a cable cast on method for beginning your stitches, and a zip fastening to complete the top closure of the purse.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to tackle colour-work and embroidery finishing methods. The combination of intarsia knitting and Swiss darning embroidery requires attention to detail and familiarity with working from charts.