So I have finally completed for real my pineapple purse! It now closes and has straps! For information on the construction of the purse itself, see here
I based the look off of this example in the Kyoto Cosutme Institute's collection. The result is my own interpretation of it though. To make the straps, I wound two lengths of the green thread and doubled each one so that the two ends of thread spun in on each other- much like what is required to make a yoyo string... if you've ever had any experience with that. I then brought the cord through the stitching between the top leaves and the fruit with a darning needle. Finally I knotted several loops of beads together, and added some fun metal tassel heads.
Although it is ridiculously tiny, and I'm not sure how much fits in it, I'm excited to try it out... paired with some modern outfits as well as historical ones! :)
Now for the HSM stats:
What the item is: a knit and beaded pineapple reticule
The challenge: Metallics. The original pattern calls for gilt metal beads. Although I have used glass ones for the body instead, I did include some metal on the tassel heads. I think the glass has a metal lining inside, and gives a little more subtle look. On the whole though, I still consider it a celebration of shiny bling materials!
Materials: cotton crochet/knitting thread.
Pattern: an adaptation of Franklin Habit's modern translation of Jane Gaugain's 19th century pattern (modernized version available here) with inspiration from the Kyoto pineapple reticule as well.
Period: probably most accurate to the third quarter of the 19th century, although I will mostly be using it with early 19th century ensembles.
Notions: five 1.5 mm double pointed needles, metal tassel heads, glass beads.
How accurate is it? It is made of mercerised cotton thread, so not really accurate until the late 1840's or so (but plausible after that). However, given my budget, I thought it more closely resembled the sheen of silk than wool or some sort of less processed cotton might. Glass seed beads had been used in purses for centuries already (although until mid 19th century they appear to be mostly in completely beaded purses, as far as I can tell), although I don't know enough about the manufacture of my beads to say whether or not these resemble 19th century glass seed beads.
Hours to complete: As usual, I completely lost track. A lot of hours... as always with fine gauge knitting!
First worn: not yet.
Total cost: about $7 cad. I didn't finish either ball of yarn, and probably even have enough for one or two more of these!
