Bird in a Gilded Cage Bag Pattern

Materials:
HIAWATHA Straw-Glo Art. 67, 3 tubes or Belastraw Art. 35, 2 tubes Main Color (M) and
HIAWATHA Metallic Corde Art. 64, or Paisley Metallic Corde Art. 69, 1 tube for Trimming (T)
HIAWATHA Birdcage Bag Top Art. 6615
HIAWATHA Bag Insert Art. 6619—4¼" diameter
Steel crochet hook No. 1

Gauge: 11 sts = 2"; 6 rows =1"

BOTTOM—Inside—With M ch 4, sl st in 1st ch, forming a ring. Rnd 1—6 sc in ring. Mark beg of rnds. Rnd 2—2 sc in each st (6 incs). Inc 6 sc each rnd (do not inc directly over previous incs) until piece is 4" across (66 sts). Work even to 4¼". Sl st in next st. End off. Outside—Same as Inside but do not end off (be sure both pieces have same number of sts).

SIDES—Working through back loops of both pieces, and inserting base, work 2 sc in each st, thus joining. Next rnd—Sc through both loops increasing to 144 sts. Work ¾" even. Sl st in next st. Drop M, attach T. Next rnd—With T ch 3, work dc in each st around. Join with sl st in top of ch-3 (144 sts). With M sc even for 1¼". Sl st in next st. Cross stitch rnd—With T ch 3, * thread over, draw up loop in next st, over and through 2 loops, thread over 7 times, draw up loop around post of corresponding st on T row below, (over and through 2 loops) 3 times; thread over 3 times, skip 1 st on T row below, draw up loop around post of next T st, (over and through 2 loops) 3 times; over and through 3 loops, (over and through 2 loops) 3 times; over and through 3 loops, dc in next M st, thread over 3 times, draw up loop in center of cross st, (over and through 2 loops) 3 times; thread over, draw up loop in next M st, over and through 2 loops, over and through 3 loops, dc in each of next 13 sts. Repeat from * around. Join. With M work sc even for 1¼". Next row—With T repeat Cross Stitch rnd, alter­nating cross sts. With M work ¾" sc.

Joining—Turn bag inside out. Divide top into 4 equal sections and mark with pins. Pick up birdcage bag top and hold upside down, with handles open. Work­ing from inside, sl st in next st (working around uppermost wire) * ch 1, sl st in next st (around wire). Repeat from * across 34 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts and continue around. Join and end off. Push bag through to right side.