Classic Beaded Purse Patterns by E. de Jong-Kramer

Lacis Publications, Berkeley, CA, ISBN 0-916896-67-6, $15.00, softcover, 56 pages.

This book was originally published in 1986 in Dutch text and then translated into English and published in 1996. The introduction includes basic supplies and tools and bead fashion trends at the time the book was originally written. There's no statement acknowledging basic knitting techniques are a prerequisite to making the purses using the directions in the book but they are. However, beadweaving people using looms can reproduce all the graphed patterns easily and much faster than knitting them. To make a knitted or crocheted purse you have to string on beads before starting. You can weave one of the designs in beads on the loom in a couple of days that would take a week or more if it is knitted. There are 18 graphs of pattern purses and one page with three star purse graphs with repeat sections that you combine together. Most of the patterns depict the Victorian era and are florals. There are other looped and geometric patterns also. You can weave any of these graphed designs on your loom. One of the biggest problems beaders will have is finding all the colors in a patterned designs. Many of the floral designs were knitted with much smaller beads that were produced in several graduated shades of each color in the early 1800s. These beads are now antiques but I have faith in the bead industry to produce more graduations of color due to demand. I would advise you make your first knitted purse with at least size 11 beads until you are comfortable with the technique before attempting smaller size beads. Combinations of crocheting and knitting techniques are explained and patterns included. There are several color photographs of antique beaded bags on the page preceding the graph or instructions. This is a book all beaders will want if you are fascinated with the history of beaded purses, those beaders who know how to knit, and all you beadweavers with looms or weave off-loom. I am sure your local bead store owner will be happy to help you match up bead colors for the patterns. There is an excellent example of the slip knot (weaver's knot) to pass beads across from hanks to the threads prior to knitting on page 17. I will keep a copy of this one on my bookshelf.