(click image to enlarge)

Pentacle

And I intend to tell you, though I tarry therefore,
Why the Pentangle is proper to this prince of knights.
It is a symbol which Solomon conceived once
To betoken holy truth, by its intrinsic right,
For it is a figure which has five points,
And each line overlaps and is locked with another;
And it is endless everywhere, and the English call it,
In all the land, I hear, the Endless Knot.
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

by Becca Compton

Suggested Reading

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Difficulty

MoonPrincess RavenDark
Click here for definitions of difficulty levels.

Finished Measurements

11.5" x 11.5" unfelted; 9" x 9" felted.

Materials

• 24" Size 7 Circular needle
• Size 7 Double Pointed Needles
• Stitch markers (5)
• Darning needle
• Patons Classic Wool Merino [100% wool; 3.50oz/100g per 223yd/205m skein]; 1 skein 00230 Bright Red; 1 skein 00226 Black]
• 9" red zipper
• Crochet Hook (approx. size G)
• Optional materials for star design:
  • 12" ruler or straight edge
  • Tailor's chalk or temporary ink pen

Gauge

16 sts x 23 rows = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch, unfelted

Project Notes

VDD (Vertical Double Decrease): slip the next two stitches as if you were going to knit two together, knit the next stitch and pass the slipped stitches over. (Three becomes one decrease)

Directions

Pentagons (make two):

Using circular needle and black yarn, CO 125 stiches. Join in the round being careful not to twist. Knit as follows, switching to dpns when decreases make piece difficult to knit.

Rnd 1: (and every odd rnd) Knit rnd (on first rnd place stitch marker every 25 stitches)
Rnd 3: (Decrease Rnd) *slip marker, K2tog (or right slanted decrease of your choice), knit to two stitches before the next slip marker, SSK; repeat from * to end of rnd. (115 stitches, 23 in each section)
Rnd 4: repeat decrease rnd. (105 stitches, 21 in each section)
Rnd 6: repeat decrease rnd. (95 stitches, 19 in each section)
Rnd 8: repeat decrease rnd. (85 stitches, 17 in each section)
Rnd 10: repeat decrease rnd. (75 stitches, 15 in each section)
Rnd 12: repeat decrease rnd. (65 stitches, 13 in each section)
Rnd 14: repeat decrease rnd. (55 stitches, 11 in each section)
Rnd 16: repeat decrease rnd. (45 stitches, 9 in each section)
Rnd 18: repeat decrease rnd. (35 stitches, 7 in each section)
Rnd 20: repeat decrease rnd. (25 stitches, 5 in each section)
Rnd 22: repeat decrease rnd. (15 stitches, 3 in each section)
Rnd 24: *slip marker, VDD; repeat from * to end of rnd.

Cut yarn and use a darning needle to pull yarn through all stitches and then to the back of piece. Weave in ends.

Optional Star:
To add red star on pentagon: Using tailors chalk and ruler, draw a line between points created by the decreases at the cast on edge. Crochet a line of stitches following the chalk line. I suggest only chalking in one side at a time as the marks tend to get rubbed away while crocheting.

Side:

CO 9 sts in red yarn.

Knit in seed stitch for 180 rows or 23.25".

NB: It might be easier to start attaching the side piece to the pentagon while you are still knitting as length needed may vary depending on how the pieces are seamed together. For purse as shown, the side piece is attached starting at the middle of one side on the pentagon, and is split for the zipper at the corner four star points away.

Next row knit in seed stitch for 4 stitches, bind off one stitch, knit the remaining four stitches in seed stitch.

Knit in seed stitch for 76 more rows or 9.75" (use other end of yarn to knit second side).

Bind off stitches.

Handle Strap:

CO 9 sts with black. Knit in seed stitch for 94 rows or 12" (for a 10" handle when felted). Bind off stitches.

Assembly and Finishing:

With right sides facing, and one strand of the black yarn, stitch the side piece along the edge of the pentagon. Repeat for other side. Sew both ends of handle strap between cast on and bind off edges of red side pieces. Weave in all ends. Felt. Sew in zipper.

About

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