Hey guys, let’s cut to the chase—if you’ve ever stared at a skein of fancy yarn in my shop (you know, the one with the weirdly soft boucle, the shimmery metallic twist, or the mohair that feels like a cloud), you’ve probably thought two things: “That’s too pretty to make something boring” and “I could never make a purse that doesn’t look like a hot mess.” Well, newsflash—you totally can. I’m the owner of this little fancy yarn spot, and I’ve made, tested, and messed up enough purses over the past few years to write a whole blog (which I basically just did). Today, I’m walking you through how to make a money purse that’s not only functional (hello, holding your cash without it getting crumpled) but also the kind of purse that gets compliments at the coffee shop. No fancy knitting degree required, promise. Fancy Yarn
First, let’s chat about why fancy yarn is perfect for a money purse—way better than that plain acrylic stuff you used for middle school craft fairs. Fancy yarn isn’t just pretty; it has texture that hides little mistakes. If you drop a stitch here or there, that boucle loop is gonna cover it up faster than you can say “oops.” Also, most fancy yarns have a bit of heft to them, so your purse won’t flop over like a sad grocery bag full of socks. Wait, but not all fancy yarns are equal for this project—trust me, I’ve tried using that super delicate eyelash yarn that sheds everywhere, and let’s just say my couch still has a glow-in-the-dark fuzz problem. So let’s narrow down what to grab from my stock.
My go-to picks for a money purse: First, a medium-weight fancy yarn (I’m talking category 4, for those who care about the yarn standard). Boucle is my top pick—those little loops give the purse a fun, whimsical texture that looks way more expensive than it is. Next, metallic twist yarn is chef’s kiss if you want something that glints when you move—perfect for evening or just feeling fancy on your lunch break. Oh, and don’t sleep on the variegated tweed blends; the little color flecks mean you don’t have to stress about matching tension perfectly. You’ll need about 100 yards total for a small to medium money purse (enough for the body and the flap, no extra). Also, grab a matching plain yarn for the lining? Wait, no—wait, actually, for a no-fuss version, you can skip the lining, but if you’re a lin-ing person (pun intended), grab a small scrap of plain cotton to keep your cash from catching on that boucle fuzz. Other supplies: a pair of US 8 (5mm) knitting needles (straight or circular, doesn’t matter), a yarn needle (the big-eyed kind, trust me), a few stitch markers (or just use a paper clip if you’re improvising), and a button or snap closure (since it’s a money purse, you need to keep stuff secure). Oh, and maybe a tiny bit of interfacing if you want your purse to hold its shape—super optional, but it takes it from “craft fair” to “I bought this in a boutique” level.
Now, let’s get into the actual steps. I’m gonna keep this super simple—we’re doing a basic knit purse, no purling required? Wait, no, wait—wait, you can do a garter stitch (all knit stitches) which is even easier. Yeah, garter stitch is the move here. Let’s start with the body. Cast on 30 stitches. Wait, why 30? Because it’s the perfect width for a standard phone and some cash—no need for a giant purse that you can barely fit in your pocket. If you want it bigger, cast on 5 more stitches, easy peasy. Now, knit every row. That’s it. No switching stitches, no counting fancy patterns. Just knit. How long? Let’s knit until the piece is 8 inches tall. Wait, 8 inches? Yeah, that gives you enough to fold it in half to make the purse shape. Pro tip: Every few rows, give your yarn a little tug to keep tension even—don’t pull so hard you turn your skein into a tiny ball, but don’t leave it so loose that your stitches get all stretched out. Fancy yarn can be slippery, so tension consistency is key here. If you’re using boucle, the loops will actually cover up any slight tension differences, so don’t overthink it. Once you hit 8 inches, bind off all your stitches loosely. Tight binding off will make the edge curl, and we don’t want that—we want a nice flat edge for sewing.
Now, the flap. This is the fun part that makes the purse look intentional, not just a rectangle of yarn. Cast on 18 stitches—smaller than the body, because it’s just for covering the top. Again, knit every row (garter stitch, remember? So easy). Knit until the flap is 6 inches long. Why 6? Because it should overlap the top of the purse by about an inch and a half when we attach it, which is perfect for your button. Bind off loosely, same as before. If you want to add a little extra flair to the flap, you can weave in a tiny strand of metallic yarn every few stitches when you’re knitting it—boom, instant fancy upgrade, no extra work.
Now, sewing it all together. First, let’s make the purse shape. Fold the big body rectangle in half so the short edges meet—so now you have a little tube. That’s the bottom and the sides of the purse. Now, take your yarn needle, thread the end of your fancy yarn, and sew the two side seams closed. Don’t use a running stitch that’s too tight—keep it loose, just like your binding off, so the seam doesn’t pucker. Leave the top edge open, obviously. Wait, if you want to add the lining, now’s the time—cut your cotton fabric to the same size as your body (16 inches wide, 8 inches tall, since it’s folded in half to make 8×8), sew the side seams too, and then tuck the fabric lining inside the yarn purse. Sew the lining’s top edge to the yarn purse’s top edge, but leave a 2-inch gap to turn the purse right side out—super basic sewing 101, I swear. If you skipped the lining, just skip that part.
Next, the flap. Pin the flap to the top of the purse, centered—you want about an inch and a half of overlap on the front, so when you fold the flap over, it covers the open top. Sew the flap on really well, use a few extra stitches at the ends so it doesn’t fall off after the first time you grab your cash. Now, the closure. Mark where you want your button on the flap (1 inch from the edge, centered) and sew it on securely. Then, on the front of the purse, right below the button, mark where the snap or button hole goes. If you’re using a button, just sew a little loop of yarn (use a scrap of the same fancy yarn) on the purse front—wrap the yarn around your needle a few times, pull tight, and attach it with a few stitches. If you’re using a snap, just follow the snap’s instructions, it’s way easier than it sounds.
Wait, let’s talk about fixing common mistakes, because I’ve made every single one of these. First, if your purse is too floppy? Add that interfacing I mentioned earlier—cut a piece of interfacing the same size as your body, iron it onto the back of your knitted piece before sewing, and it’ll hold its shape like a dream. If your stitches are too tight and your piece is warped? Loosen up, girl—fancy yarn loves a little give, you don’t have to knit like you’re in a competition. If the yarn is shedding all over your couch? Before you start knitting, give the skein a quick shake outside, or even run a lint roller over it (yes, really, works for fancy yarn too). And if you mess up a stitch halfway through? Just pull the yarn back, fix it, Fancy yarn is forgiving—way more than that plain worsted weight I used to use when I was starting out.
Wait, should I give you a little extra flair tip? Yeah, because this is fancy yarn, not just any yarn. Once your purse is all sewn together, you can add a little tassel on the button, or weave in a strand of contrasting metallic yarn through the edge of the purse. Or, if you used variegated yarn, you can arrange the colors so the brightest part is on the front flap—just be strategic about where you start your cast on, easy. Oh, and if you’re a crocheter instead of a knitter? I got you—this works the same way, just use a size H hook, double crochet every row, cast on 30, same measurements, done. No need to learn new skills if you already know crochet.
Let me hit you with a quick personal anecdote here—last month, a regular came in, said she’d tried making a purse with her old yarn and it turned out lumpy and boring. I gave her a skein of our boucle metallic yarn, walked her through this exact process, and she texted me a pic a week later—she had used it for a night out, and three people asked where she got it, even though she made it herself. That’s the magic of fancy yarn, y’all—it takes something simple and makes it look like you put actual thought into it.
Now, about caring for your new money purse—important, because fancy yarn can be finicky. If it’s just a little dusty, spot clean it with a damp cloth and a tiny bit of mild soap, don’t throw it in the wash. If you need to wash it (unlikely, since it’s a small purse), hand wash it in cold water, lay it flat to dry, don’t wring it. And if it starts to fray a little? Just snip the loose ends with small scissors, no big deal—fancy yarn is supposed to have that textured look, a few tiny loose strands just add character.
Wait, here’s a little hack I swear by when buying yarn for projects: if you’re ever unsure about how much you need, come chat with me—my team and I know every skein in our shop, and we can hook you up with exactly what you need, no overbuying (I hate when people buy a whole skein and only use a third, it’s a waste). Whether you’re a total beginner who’s never touched knitting needles before or a seasoned pro looking for a quick weekend project, this purse is doable. It’s small enough to finish in a single afternoon, it uses one of our fanciest, most popular yarns, and it’s way more functional than a big tote for just your cash, ID, and a lip balm.
Now, if you love this and want to stock up on fancy yarn for more projects (I’m talking scarves, hats, that next purse you’re gonna make), hit us up—we’ve got boucle, metallic tweed, mohair blends, everything. We work with crafters, small businesses, and hobbyists, so whether you need one skein or a bulk order for your shop, we can make it work. No stuffy sales reps, no confusing minimums—just yarn that’s actually fun to work with and the kind that makes your projects stand out.
At the end of the day, making something with your own two hands from yarn that makes you happy is way better than buying something generic. This money purse isn’t just for holding cash—it’s a little accessory that shows you put in the work, and with fancy yarn, it’s gonna be something you grab every day. If you try this, tag me (wait, no, I don’t have social media for this shop, but if you send me a pic when you pick up your yarn, I’ll be sure to gush over how cool it looks). And if you have any questions about yarn selection, tension, or fixing that loose seam, just reach out—my team is here to help, no judgment, even if you accidentally cast on too many stitches (we’ve all been there).
Now, let’s wrap this up. The whole point is that you don’t need to be a knitting expert to make a cute money purse with fancy yarn. You just need a few basic supplies, a little patience, and the right yarn. Fancy yarn isn’t just for show—it’s versatile, forgiving, and makes every project feel special. And if you’re looking to stock up on that perfect skein for your next project, we’ve got you covered. Don’t settle for plain yarn that makes your projects look basic—grab some fancy, have fun, and make something you actually love.
Woolen-spun Yarn with Colored Flecks References: The Knitter’s Book of Yarn Techniques, 2nd Edition; DIY Crochet & Knit Purses for Beginners, Creative Publishing International; Textured Yarn Project Guide for Hobby Crafters, Craft Yarn Council of America.
Huangshan Aotai Textile Co., Ltd.
As one of the most professional fancy yarn manufacturers and suppliers in China, we’re featured by quality products and good service. Please rest assured to wholesale bulk premium fancy yarn in stock here and get quotation from our factory. We also accept customized orders.
Address: Development Zone, Bei’an Town, She County, Huangshan City, Anhui Province
E-mail: aotaifangzhi2007@163.com
WebSite: https://www.cn-aotai.com/
