Envelope Handbag Pattern #2245

Materials: J. & P. Coats Knit-Cro-Sheen, 3 balls of main color.
Clark's O.N.T. "Brilliant", 1 ball each of 4 contrasting colors for trimming.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 4.

When completed, bag measures about 5½ x 9 inches.

A double thread is used throughout.

Starting at edge under flap, with main color, ch 43 (to measure about 9½ inches), turn. 1st row: Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, draw loop through, * insert hook in next ch, draw loop through (3 loops on hook), thread over and draw through all 3 loops (1 group st made). Ch 1, insert hook in same place in which last loop of group st was pulled through, draw loop through. Repeat from * across (41 group sts). Ch 2, turn. 2nd row: Draw out a loop in 2nd ch from hook, * skip 1 group st, draw out a loop in ch-1 of previous row (3 loops on hook), thread over and draw through all 3 loops, ch 1, draw out a loop in same ch-1 in which last loop was pulled through. Repeat from * across, ending row with group st. Ch 2, turn. Hereafter repeat 2nd row until piece measures 11½ inches. To shape flap, decrease 1 group st at both ends of each row until 19 group sts remain. Break off.

Handle: To begin, ch 30 (to measure about 6 inches), turn. Work as for bag until piece measures 1 inch. Break off. Sew handle across back. Fold bag, leaving the flap free. Starting at lower edge, with double thread of one contrasting color, work a row of blanket stitch along 1 side, around flap, and along opposite side, inserting needle through the double thickness at sides, thus joining sides of bag.

Next row: Make another row of blanket stitch, making stitches half the length and between those of previous row.

Appliqued Flowers: Hereafter use thread double throughout. With same color as for blanket stitch, ch 8, join with sl st to form ring. 1st rnd: 20 s c in ring. Join with sl st. 2nd rnd: S c in each s c around. Join and break off. 3rd rnd: With 2nd color, * ch 3, d c in same place where sl st was made, 1 tr in next s c, 2 d c in next s c, sl st in next s c (1 petal made). Repeat from * until 5 petals are made. Break off. 4th rnd: With 3rd color, work 1 s c in each st around. Break off.

Buds: With 2nd color of flower, ch 4, join to form ring. Work 14 d c in ring. Break off. Make another same as this.

Leaves: With 4th color, ch 13, turn. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in next ch, d c in each of next 6 ch, s c in each of next 4 ch. Do not turn, but working along opposite side of ch make: 4 s c, 6 d c, 2 s c. Break off. With first contrasting color work s c in each st around. Break off. Sew flowers on as in illustration. Fasten flap with a snap fastener.