Debut Collar and Cuffs Pattern #2296

Materials: Choose one of the following threads in size 50:
Clark's O.N.T. Mercerized Crochet, 5 balls of any color, or 4 balls of White or Ecru.
J. & P. Coats Mercerized Crochet, 4 balls of any color, or 3 balls of White or Ecru.
J. & P. Coats Big Ball Best Six Cord Mercerized Crochet, 2 balls of White or Ecru.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 11.

Collar and cuffs are made of individual petals, which are later sewed to bands. Each petal measures about 1½ inches across top.

Petals (Make 8). Starting at center top, ch 4. 1st row: 2 d c in 4th ch from hook, ch 3, 3 d c in same ch. Ch 1, turn. Hereafter pick up only the back loop of each st. 2nd row: S c in each of 1st 3 d c; s c, ch 3, and s c in ch-3 sp; s c in each of next 2 d c, s c in 3rd st of turning ch. Ch 1, turn. 3rd row: Skip 1 s c (s c decreased), s c in each s c across to within ch-3; into ch-3 space make: s c, ch 3, and s c (2 s c increased); s c in each s c across, omitting last s c, and making s c in turning ch (another s c decreased). Ch 1, turn. 4th row: S c in each s c across; s c, ch 3, and s c in ch-3 sp; s c in each s c across, s c in turning ch. Ch 1, turn. The 3rd and 4th rows constitute the pattern. Repeat these 2 rows alternately until there are 18 s c on each side of ch-3 sp. Fasten and break off. Attach thread to 1st st of ch-4 first made (center top of petal), and work along three sides of petal as follows:

1st row: Ch 5, skip 1 ridge, s c in next ridge, * ch 5, s c in next ridge. Repeat from * across first side (10 loops). Then, working across last row of s c, ** ch 5, skip 2 s c, s c in next s c. Repeat from ** across (12 loops), and continue making ch-5 loops across third side of petal as before to within last ridge; skip last ridge, ch 5, s c in same st where thread was attached. Turn. 2nd and 3rd rows: Sl st to center of 1st loop, * ch 5, s c in next loop. Repeat from * across, ending row with ch 5, s c in last loop. Turn. 4th row: Sl st to center of 1st loop, make 7 ch-5 loops, ch 5; into next loop make: 3 d c, ch 5, 3 d c (shell), ch 5, s c in next loop, 5 loops, ch 5; into next loop make another shell, ch 5, s c in next loop and continue across other half to correspond. Fasten and break off.

Neck Band and Ties. Make a chain to measure about 40 inches long. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 2nd, 3rd and 4th rows: S c in each s c across. Ch 1, turn. Fasten and break off at end of 4th row.

Sew petals to wrong side of band as in illustration, leaving about 12 inches free at both ends for ties, and tack petals together at side shells.

Cuffs. Make 8 more petals (4 for each cuff), and 2 bands (each about 23 inches long). Assemble as for collar, leaving about 7 inches free at both ends of each band, for ties.