Red, White and Black Drawstring Bag Pattern

Materials Required: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "AUNT LYDIA'S" HEAVY RUG YARN, Article 235
1 skein each Red and White
2 skeins Black
Aluminum crochet hook size H

With Black ch 2, 8 s c in 2nd st from hook, do not join this or following rounds. Place a marker at beginning of each round.
2nd Round—2 s c in each s c (16 s c).
3rd Round—* 1 s c in next s c, 2 s c in next s c, repeat from * all around.
4th Round—Working in s c, increase in every 3rd st. Work 1 round even.
6th Round—Increase in every 4th st.
7th Round—Increase in every 5th st.
8th Round—Increase in every 6th st.
9th Round—Increase in every 7th st (64 s c). Work 1 round even, 1 sl st in each of the next 2 sts to even round.
11th Round—Ch 1 and picking up back loop of sts only, work 1 s c in each st (64 sts), join.
12th Round—Ch 1 and working through both loops of sts for remainder of bag, work 1 s c in each s c, join, cut Black.
13th and 14th Rounds—Attach White, ch 1 and work 2 rounds of s c even, join each round, cut White. When chang­ing colors always start new color in a different place so joinings will not show.
Continue working even in s c working 2 rounds Red, 2 rounds White, 2 rounds Black, 2 rounds White, 2 rounds Red, 2 rounds White, 2 rounds Black, 2 rounds White, 2 rounds Red.

Next Round—(Beading): Attach White, ch 3, 1 d c in each of the next 3 sts, * ch 4, skip 4 s c, 1 d c in each of the next 4 s c, repeat from * all around, ch 4, join in 3rd st of ch, cut White.
Next Round—Attach Black in any d c and work 1 s c in each d c and 1 s c in each st of ch (64 s c), do not join rounds. Work 3 rounds even.
Next Round—* Ch 1, s d c in same space (s d c: yarn over hook, insert in st, pull loop through, yarn over and work off all loops at one time), ch 1, skip 1 s c, sl st in next s c, repeat from * all around, join, cut yarn. Cut 24 strands of Black 32 inches long. Using 12 strands make a braid, tie each end about 1½ inches in for tassel. Make another braid in same manner with remaining 12 strands. Lace through beading starting each braid at opposite side. Tie the 2 ends together over same place where tassel is tied to hold in position. Cut a cardboard about 6½ inches in diameter and place in bottom of bag.