Tray Cloth Pattern #853

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Mercerized Crochet, size 30, color 22 Delft Blue, 4 balls. Oblong of linen, 7½ by 10 inches. 1 shuttle.

Make center insertion first, then the two sides. Begin at corner making a circle of 8 rings as follows: R, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, close. * Leave ¼ inch thread clear, r, 3 d s, join to p of previous ring, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, close. Repeat from * 6 more times, joining p of last ring to p of 1st ring. Fasten, break off.

First 3-ring group: R, 5 d s, join to p of last ring made in circle, 4 d s, p, 5 d s, close. * R, 5 d s, p, 4 d s, p, 5 d s, close. Repeat from * once more, fasten and break off. Second 3-ring group: R, 5 d s, join to p of 1st ring of first 3-ring group, 4 d s, join to p of 7th ring of circle, 5 d s, close. R, and make another ring with 2 p's as previous ring but do not join to any p; then r, 5 d s, p, 4 d s, join to 1st p of 2nd ring of first 3-ring group, 5 d s, close, fasten and break off. ** 4-ring group: R, 5 d s, p, 4 d s, join to p of 2nd ring of first 3-ring group, 5 d s, close. R, 5 d s, join to p of 3rd ring of second 3-ring group, 4 d s, p, 5 d s, close. Make 2 more rings each with 2 p's as previous ring but do not join to any p. Then fasten and break off.

   Make another 3-ring group, joining the 1st p of 1st ring to 1st p of 4th ring of 4-ring group, complete ring and make 2 more rings each with 2 p's but do not join to any p's. Then make another 3-ring group joining 1st p of 1st ring to p of 1st ring of previous 3-ring group, 4 d s, join to 2nd p of 3rd ring of 4-ring group, and complete ring, make another ring with 2 p's but do not join, make another ring joining the 2nd p of this ring to 1st p of 2nd ring of previous 3-ring group, complete ring, fasten, and break off. Repeat from ** to desired length, ending with the two 3-ring groups. Then make a circle of 8 rings as previously made for corner, and continue with other 3 sides joining at corners as shown in picture.

Inner Insertion: Consists of 4-ring groups joined. Beginning at corner, make a 4-ring group and join to center insertion as follows: R, 5 d s, p, 4 d s, join to 1st p of 3-ring group which is on the right side of corner circle, 5 d s, close. R, 5 d s, join to 2nd p of same ring, 4 d s, join to 1st p of 3-ring group which is on the left side of corner circle, 5 d s, close. R, 5 d s, join to 2nd p of same ring, 4 d s, p, 5 d s, close. Make another ring with 2 p's but do not join to any p. Fasten and break off. * Make another 4-ring group joining the 2nd p of 1st ring to 1st p of 4th ring of previous 4-ring group; join the 1st p of next ring to next p of 3rd ring of same group; make 2 more rings each with 2 p's, but do not join to any p. Fasten and break off. Repeat from * as shown in illustration.

Inner Edging: R, 4 d s, p, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, p, 4 d s, close. Join to p of 2nd inner ring at corner, counting from left to right, * leave ¼ inch thread clear, r, 4 d s, join to side p of ring just made, 3 d s, p, 3 d s, p, 4 d s, close, join to p of next ring, repeat from * on 4 sides. Work Inner Insertion and Inner Edging on other side of Center Insertion.