PURSE
Using 2.75mm needles and yarn B, cast on 48 sts. Pm and join to work in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Knit every round for 2.5cm, for bag facing.
EYELETS AND TURNING RIDGE
Next rnd: *Yo, K2tog; rep from * to end. Knit 3 rnds. Next rnd: Purl. Knit 3 rnds. Next rnd: *Yo, K2tog; rep from * to end. Knit 6 rnds. Attach yarn A and knit 1 rnd. Next rnd: *K1A, K1B; rep from * to end. Using yarn A, knit 1 rnd. Using yarn B, knit 3 rnds.
BODY
Inc rnd: *K4, M1; rep from * to end. 60 sts. Knit 1 rnd. Inc rnd: *K2, M1; rep from * to end. 90 sts. Knit 2 rnds. Attach yarn A and knit 1 rnd. Next rnd: *K1A, K1B; rep from * to end. Using yarn A, knit 3 rnds.
POCKET OPENINGS
Next rnd: *With working yarn knit the first 10 sts, then with scrap yarn knit the next 10 sts, slip the 10 scrap-yarn sts back onto the left-hand needle and knit them again with the working yarn, knit the next 10 sts; rep from * twice more.
ZIGZAG PATTERN
Using yarn A, knit 9 rnds. Next rnd: Work 10-st rep as set on Zigzag Chart 9 times. This round sets zigzag chart placement. Work next 5 rounds as set on chart. Using yarn A, knit 13 rnds. Next rnd: *K1A, K1B; rep from * to end. Using yarn A, knit 1 rnd. Using yarn B, knit 2 rnds.
BOTTOM SHAPING AND CLOSURE
Divide sts into 6 sections of 15 sts marking each section with stitch markers. Next rnd: * K to last 2 sts before marker, K2tog; rep from * to end. 84 sts. Cont to decrease in this way on every foll alt rnd until 60 sts rem, ending on a dec rnd. Next round: *K1A, K1B; rep from * to end. Next rnd: * K to last 2 sts before marker, K2tog; rep from * to end. 54 sts. Cut yarn B and cont in yarn A only. Cont to dec as set every alt rnd until 30 sts rem. Divide rem sts into 3 sections of 10 sts. Next rnd: * Fold piece with WS facing together so the sts on the left needle are in front and the sts on the right needle are at the back and both needles are pointing toward the right. Then, using the threeneedle cast-off, cast off 5 sts, then knit 5 on front piece only; rep from * twice more. Fasten off.
POCKETS
Remove scrap yarn from one pocket opening and place sts on needles. Using yarn A, knit 1 round and pick up and knit 2 sts at each corner. 24 sts. Keep the sts separated into 2 sections of 12 sts each for the front and back of the pocket. Knit 3 rnds. Change to yarn B and knit 1 rnd. Inc rnd: *K1, M1, K4, M1, K1; rep from * to end. 32 sts. Work all rounds of the animal chart of your choice, working the 16-st chart twice across a round. Using yarn B, knit 4 rnds. With WS of work facing each other, join front and back sections of pocket using the three-needle cast-off. Repeat on the other 2 pocket openings. Work each pocket with a different animal motif, or all three alike, as you prefer.
FINISHING
Fold facing at top of bag to the inside and whip-stitch in place. Using yarn A, make a braid or twisted cord about 1m long. Weave it through the eyelets at the top of the bag for a drawstring. Add small tassels as shown to the two corners of each pocket and one larger tassel to the bottom of the bag, bringing all the corner points of the bag bottom together at the centre when you attach the tassel. Weave in ends.