Velvet Dune Wristlet Free Pattern – Knitted Ribbed Sand Purse
Velvet Dune Wristlet Free Pattern – Knitted Ribbed Sand Purse
Carry a whisper of the desert with this plush, ribbed wrist purse. Its sculptural texture and warm gradient evoke sun-warmed dunes, knit in a single piece for a seamless, modern silhouette. This free knitting pattern is perfect for intermediate beginners looking to create a stylish, functional accessory that transitions effortlessly from cozy sweaters to summer dresses. The K2, P2 ribbing creates a stretchy, accordion-like fabric that hugs your wrist comfortably while the color gradient adds a touch of organic, handcrafted elegance.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project is highly portable and works up quickly with worsted-weight yarn.
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in three shades:
- Color A (Dune): Deep warm terracotta – approx. 40g
- Color B (Terracotta): Soft sand beige – approx. 50g
- Color C (Sand): Pale cream – approx. 30g
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles – straight or circular (for flat knitting)
- Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch marker (optional but helpful)
- Gauge: 20 stitches x 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (ribbing will be slightly narrower). Gauge is important for the final size, but this pattern is forgiving – a slight variation will still yield a beautiful wristlet.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This wristlet is knit flat in one piece, then seamed. The ribbing is created with a knit-2, purl-2 pattern, giving a stretchy, textured fabric. The color changes create a subtle gradient from deep dune to pale sand. Follow the instructions carefully, and you'll have a gorgeous, handmade purse in no time.
Abbreviations
- CO: Cast on
- K: Knit
- P: Purl
- K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
- P2tog: Purl two stitches together (decrease)
- St(s): Stitch(es)
- RS: Right side
- WS: Wrong side
Pattern Instructions
Base (Color A – Dune)
CO 40 sts. Leave a tail of about 6 inches for seaming later.
Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2* repeat to end of row. (You will end with K2.)
Row 2 (WS): *P2, K2* repeat to end of row. (You will end with P2.)
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 4 inches from the cast-on edge. End with a WS row (Row 2). This creates the deep, rich base of your purse.
Body (Color B – Terracotta)
Switch to Color B (soft sand beige). Do not cut Color A yet – you can carry it up the side or cut and weave in later. For a cleaner finish, cut Color A leaving a 6-inch tail and weave in later.
Continue in the established K2, P2 ribbing pattern (Row 1: *K2, P2*; Row 2: *P2, K2*) for 6 inches, ending with a WS row. This is the main body of the purse, where the warm, sandy tones blend beautifully.
Top Section (Color C – Sand)
Switch to Color C (pale cream). Cut Color B, leaving a tail for weaving.
Continue in ribbing for 2 more inches, ending with a WS row. This pale section will be gathered at the top, creating a lovely contrast.
Shape the Top (Decrease Section)
Now we will shape the top of the purse by decreasing stitches. This creates the gathered, rounded opening for your wrist. Work these rows carefully, counting your stitches as you go.
Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2tog, K2, P2* repeat to last 4 sts, K2, P2tog. (You will have 34 sts remaining.)
Row 2 (WS): *P2, K2* repeat to end of row. (Work the stitches as they appear – knit the knits and purl the purls.)
Row 3 (RS): *K2, P2tog, K1, P2* repeat to last 4 sts, K2, P2tog. (28 sts remaining.)
Row 4 (WS): *P2, K1, P2, K2* repeat to end of row. (Work in pattern as established.)
Row 5 (RS): *K2, P2tog, K2* repeat to last 4 sts, K2, P2tog. (22 sts remaining.)
Row 6 (WS): *P2, K2* repeat to end of row.
Row 7 (RS): *K2tog, P2* repeat to last 2 sts, K2tog. (16 sts remaining.)
Row 8 (WS): *P2, K2* repeat to end of row.
Row 9 (RS): *K2tog, P1* repeat to last 2 sts, K2tog. (10 sts remaining.)
Row 10 (WS): Purl all stitches.
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (at least 12 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, then pass it through the remaining 10 stitches on your needle. Pull tight to gather the top, and secure with a knot. This creates the neat, drawstring-like finish at the top of your purse.
Seaming
Fold the piece in half with the right sides (RS) together, matching the cast-on edge to the top gathered edge. The wrong side (WS) should be facing out.
Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn (Color A or B works well), sew the side seams using a mattress stitch or a simple whip stitch. Start from the bottom cast-on edge and sew up the side. Important: Leave the top 1 inch open on each side for the wrist opening. This opening is where your hand will slip through.
Once seamed, turn the purse right side out. The ribbing will naturally stretch and the seam will be nearly invisible.
Wrist Strap (Optional but Recommended)
This strap makes the wristlet functional and adds a polished finish.
With Color C (pale cream), CO 8 sts.
Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 8 inches.
Bind off all stitches, leaving a tail for sewing.
Fold the purse flat. Sew each end of the strap to the inside top edges of the purse, opposite each other. This means the strap will loop across the opening. Make sure the strap is not twisted before sewing.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends using your tapestry needle. Be sure to secure them well so they don't unravel with use.
Block gently to even out the ribbing. You can do this by lightly misting the purse with water and laying it flat to dry, gently shaping it. Do not stretch it aggressively – the ribbing will naturally relax.
Your Velvet Dune Wristlet is now complete! The purse will naturally stretch to fit your wrist comfortably. Slip it on and enjoy your handcrafted, desert-inspired accessory.
Pro Tip: This pattern is highly customizable. Try using a solid color for a minimalist look, or experiment with different color gradients to match your wardrobe. The ribbed texture also works beautifully with a soft merino wool for a cozier winter version.
