Medieval Miser Purse

The Miser Purse is also known as a Medieval Puzzle Purse. I have been crocheting these little purses for about 35 years, originally for family then for markets & special orders.
The design dates back to medieval times and this is only one of several variations on the pattern. My Irish great grandmother brought the pattern to Australia and my grandmother made them for all her grandchildren. We all had miser purses made in pale blue rayon silk. Grandma Millie taught me to crochet and I love making them in as many different colours as I can find. To create the largest possible range of colours I use mercerized cottons, rayon silks, soft cottons, and sometimes hemp (rare to source fine enough). The cottons will stretch with use, though are strong and long wearing. I've known them to outlast a leather wallet.

To use -
OPEN by pinching some of the fabric under the flap and pulling the strings through. Part the strings to put coins in and take them out.
CLOSE by holding the ring in one hand and the flap in the other hand, then pulling them in opposite directions 'til closed.

Size varies slightly:
- Mercerized cotton 165 x 70mm
- Rayon silk 175 x 70mm
- Soft cotton 160 x 65mm