The Sun-Kissed Melon Pouch: A Knitted Watermelon Coin Purse with Seed Stitch Detail

Carry a slice of summer in your pocket with this charming knitted watermelon coin purse! Featuring a textured seed stitch rind and a sweet, rounded shape, this quick project is perfect for using up scrap yarn and makes a delightful handmade gift. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a fun weekend project or a beginner ready to tackle your first amigurumi-style piece, this pattern is approachable, rewarding, and undeniably adorable.

The design cleverly combines flat knitting with simple seaming to create a three-dimensional pouch that looks just like a half-watermelon slice. The vibrant pink body transitions smoothly into a mint green rind, finished with a dark green outer edge. Small black seed stitches scattered across the front add that authentic watermelon charm, while the pointed flap and button closure keep your coins and trinkets secure.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. This project is wonderfully portable and requires minimal materials, making it an excellent stash-buster.

• Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn in three colors:
  • Watermelon pink (main body) – approximately 30 yards
  • Mint green (inner rind) – approximately 10 yards
  • Dark green (outer rind) – approximately 15 yards
  • Small amount of black yarn for the seeds
• Knitting Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) knitting needles, or the size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends, seaming, and embroidering the seeds
• Stitch Holder or Spare Needle: To hold stitches while shaping the flap
• Small Button: Approximately ½ inch in diameter, in a coordinating color (dark green works well)
• Crochet Hook: Small size (e.g., US C/2.5 mm) for creating the button loop (optional, can also use a knitted i-cord)

Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. While gauge is not critical for this small project, matching it will ensure your pouch turns out the intended size (approximately 4 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall when folded).

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is worked flat in stockinette stitch, then seamed to create a 3D pouch. The seed stitch detail is created with duplicate stitch after knitting. Follow along carefully, and you'll have your very own sun-kissed melon pouch in no time.

Pink Section (Front of Purse)

1. Row 1: With pink yarn, cast on 20 stitches.
2. Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
3. Row 3 (RS): Knit all stitches.
4. Repeat Rows 2-3 until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row. This will be the front of your purse, so take care to keep your tension even.

Mint Green Section (Inner Rind)

5. Switch to mint green yarn.
6. Knit 4 rows in stockinette stitch (Row 1 RS: knit, Row 2 WS: purl, Row 3 RS: knit, Row 4 WS: purl), ending with a wrong-side row. This creates the lighter green band that mimics the inner rind of a watermelon.

Dark Green Section (Outer Rind)

7. Switch to dark green yarn.
8. Knit 4 rows in stockinette stitch (RS knit, WS purl), ending with a wrong-side row. This forms the darker outer edge of the watermelon.

Shaping the Top (Flap)

Now we'll shape the pointed flap that folds over the front of the purse. This is done by working one half of the stitches at a time.

9. Row 1 (RS): With dark green yarn, knit 10 stitches, then turn your work, leaving the remaining 10 stitches on a stitch holder or spare needle. You will only work on these 10 stitches for the first half of the flap.
10. Row 2 (WS): Purl 10 stitches.
11. Row 3 (RS): Knit 2 together, knit 6, knit 2 together. (You now have 8 stitches.)
12. Row 4 (WS): Purl 8 stitches.
13. Row 5 (RS): Knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together. (6 stitches.)
14. Row 6 (WS): Purl 6 stitches.
15. Row 7 (RS): Knit 2 together, knit 2, knit 2 together. (4 stitches.)
16. Row 8 (WS): Purl 4 stitches.
17. Row 9 (RS): Knit 2 together, knit 2 together. (2 stitches.)
18. Row 10 (WS): Purl 2 stitches.
19. Row 11 (RS): Knit 2 together. (1 stitch.) Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull it through the remaining stitch to secure.

Second Half of Flap:

20. Rejoin the dark green yarn to the remaining 10 stitches on the holder, with the wrong side facing you.
21. Repeat Rows 1-11 exactly as written above to shape the second half of the flap. When you finish, you'll have a symmetrical pointed flap.

Finishing and Seaming

22. Weave in all loose ends using your tapestry needle, being careful not to pull too tightly and distort the fabric.
23. Fold the piece in half with the pink section as the front and the dark green section as the back. The wrong sides should be facing each other, with the right sides on the outside.
24. Using the mattress stitch (a vertical seaming technique that creates an invisible join), seam the sides together from the cast-on edge up to the start of the flap. Leave the top open—this is where the flap will fold over.
25. Once seamed, turn the pouch right side out if needed. The flap should naturally fold over the front of the pink section.

Seed Stitch Detail

Now for the fun part—adding the watermelon seeds! This is done with a simple embroidery technique called duplicate stitch, which creates small 'V' shapes that mimic the look of knitted stitches.

26. Thread your tapestry needle with the black yarn.
27. On the pink section of the front, create small 'V' shaped stitches to resemble watermelon seeds. Place them randomly, about ½ inch apart, in 3-4 rows across the pink area.
28. Each seed is a single straight stitch about ¼ inch long, angled slightly. To make a 'V' shape, make two small diagonal stitches that meet at a point in the center, or simply make one angled straight stitch—both look authentic.
29. Distribute the seeds evenly, with roughly 5-7 seeds total for a natural look. Avoid placing them too close to the edges where the seam will be.

Button and Loop

30. With dark green yarn and a small crochet hook, create a chain loop approximately 1.5 inches long. Attach it securely to the point of the flap using a few small stitches.
31. Alternatively, you can knit a tiny i-cord for the loop if you prefer not to crochet.
32. Sew a small button onto the pink front of the purse, directly under where the loop falls when the flap is folded over. Make sure it's positioned so the loop fits snugly over the button to close the purse.
33. Weave in any remaining ends, and give your pouch a gentle block if desired to even out the stitches.

Tips for Success

• Choose cotton yarn: Cotton is ideal for this project because it holds its shape well, has good stitch definition, and is durable for everyday use.
• Keep tension consistent: Since this is a small piece, uneven tension will be more noticeable. Take your time and try to keep your knitting relaxed but even.
• Use a stitch marker: Place a marker at the beginning of each row to help you keep track of where you are, especially when working the flap decreases.
• Customize your seeds: Feel free to adjust the number and placement of seeds to your liking. Some prefer a more scattered look, while others like them in neat rows.

This Sun-Kissed Melon Pouch is a delightful little project that comes together quickly and brings a smile to anyone who sees it. Whether you're making it for yourself, as a gift for a fruit-loving friend, or as a fun introduction to knitted amigurumi, you'll love watching this tiny watermelon take shape. Happy knitting!