The Moonlit Sentinel Coin Purse: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Owl-Inspired Amigurumi
Introduction: Craft Your Own Whimsical Guardian
Welcome to a delightful knitting adventure! Today, we're creating the Moonlit Sentinel Coin Purse—a charming, textured owl-inspired amigurumi that’s as functional as it is adorable. This free pattern transforms a simple coin purse into a cozy, handmade treasure, featuring a deep charcoal tweed body, a soft cream belly, and a felted beak. Perfect for beginners and seasoned knitters alike, this project combines basic techniques with a touch of whimsy. Whether you're looking for a quick gift or a fun stash-busting project, this owl purse will become your new favorite accessory. Let’s dive in and bring this little guardian to life!
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following supplies. Gauge is not critical for this project, but consistency will ensure a neat finish.
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in two colors:
- Main Color (MC): A heathered tweed in deep charcoal or forest green (approx. 100 yards)
- Contrast Color (CC): A soft cream or pale gold for the belly and eyes (approx. 30 yards)
- Small amount of orange or brown felt for the beak and feet
- Needles: US Size 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a circular needle for magic loop
- Tapestry needle for weaving ends and assembly
- Stitch marker
- Small button or snap for closure (optional)
Gauge: 5 stitches and 7 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch (worked in the round).
Step-by-Step Instructions
This pattern is worked entirely in the round from the bottom up. The purse is shaped like a plump owl with a flat bottom. Follow each step carefully for best results.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit two together (decrease)
- m1 = make one (increase, by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting it through the back loop)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
Bottom (Worked Flat, Then Joined)
This creates the flat oval base of the purse.
- With MC, cast on 10 stitches.
- Row 1 (WS): Purl all stitches.
- Row 2 (RS): Knit all stitches, increasing 1 stitch at the beginning and end of the row: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1. (12 sts)
- Repeat Rows 1-2 until you have 20 stitches on the needle. (You will have worked 10 increase rows total.)
- Next row (WS): Purl all stitches.
- Next row (RS): Knit all stitches.
- Bind off loosely. This forms the flat oval bottom.
Body (Worked in the Round)
Now we’ll pick up stitches around the bottom and work upward to form the owl’s body.
- With MC, pick up and knit 40 stitches evenly around the edge of the bottom oval. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
- Rnd 1-5: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 6: *K8, m1; repeat from * around. (45 sts)
- Rnd 7-10: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 11: *K9, m1; repeat from * around. (50 sts)
- Rnd 12-15: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 16: *K10, m1; repeat from * around. (55 sts)
- Rnd 17-20: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 21: *K11, m1; repeat from * around. (60 sts)
- Rnd 22-25: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 26: *K12, m1; repeat from * around. (65 sts)
- Rnd 27-30: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 31: *K13, m1; repeat from * around. (70 sts)
- Rnd 32-35: Knit all stitches.
- Rnd 36: *K14, m1; repeat from * around. (75 sts)
- Rnd 37-40: Knit all stitches.
Belly (Intarsia or Stranded Colorwork)
We’ll add a cream belly panel in the center front. You can carry the CC yarn loosely across the back or use separate bobbins.
- Rnd 41: With MC, k30; with CC, k15; with MC, k30. (75 sts)
- Rnd 42-50: Continue working the belly as a 15-stitch wide panel in the center front. Maintain MC on the sides. (75 sts each round)
- Rnd 51: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog, k11, k2tog; with MC, k30. (73 sts)
- Rnd 52: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog, k9, k2tog; with MC, k30. (71 sts)
- Rnd 53: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog, k7, k2tog; with MC, k30. (69 sts)
- Rnd 54: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog, k5, k2tog; with MC, k30. (67 sts)
- Rnd 55: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog, k3, k2tog; with MC, k30. (65 sts)
- Rnd 56: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog, k1, k2tog; with MC, k30. (63 sts)
- Rnd 57: With MC, k30; with CC, k2tog; with MC, k30. (62 sts)
- Rnd 58: Knit all stitches with MC. (62 sts)
Eye Patches (Worked Flat, Then Sewn On)
Make 2. These form the white eye patches.
- With CC, cast on 8 stitches.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
- Row 2: Purl all stitches.
- Row 3: K2tog, k4, k2tog. (6 sts)
- Row 4: Purl all stitches.
- Row 5: K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
- Row 6: Purl all stitches.
- Bind off. Sew them onto the front of the body, centered above the belly, leaving a small gap between them.
Beak (Felted)
- Cut a small triangle from orange or brown felt.
- Sew it between the eye patches, pointing downward.
Ears (Worked Flat, Then Sewn On)
Make 2.
- With MC, cast on 6 stitches.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
- Row 2: Purl all stitches.
- Row 3: K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
- Row 4: Purl all stitches.
- Row 5: K2tog, k2tog. (2 sts)
- Row 6: Purl 2 together. (1 st)
- Cut yarn and pull through. Sew the ears to the top of the body, slightly to the sides.
Wings (Worked Flat, Then Sewn On)
Make 2.
- With MC, cast on 10 stitches.
- Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
- Row 2: Purl all stitches.
- Row 3: K2tog, k6, k2tog. (8 sts)
- Row 4: Purl all stitches.
- Row 5: K2tog, k4, k2tog. (6 sts)
- Row 6: Purl all stitches.
- Row 7: K2tog, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
- Row 8: Purl all stitches.
- Bind off. Sew the wings to the sides of the body, angled slightly outward.
Feet (Felted)
- Cut two small shapes from orange or brown felt, each with three toes.
- Sew them to the bottom of the body, just below the belly.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends.
- Sew a small button or snap to the inside of the top opening to create a closure. Alternatively, add a drawstring by threading a length of yarn through the top stitches and tying it closed.
- Optional: Add a small loop of yarn at the top for hanging.
Your Moonlit Sentinel Coin Purse is now complete! Enjoy your charming, handmade accessory that’s perfect for holding coins, earbuds, or tiny treasures.
