Pieces of Eight Bag Pattern #2335

MATERIALS:
J. & P. Coats Knit-Cro-Sheen, 3 balls of any color.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 9.
⅜ yd. lining material.
⅜ yd. buckram.
An 8-inch slide fastener.

Gauge: S c-section: 11 sts make 1 inch; 12 rows make 1 inch. Shell-section: 4 shells make 1½ inches; 6 rows make 1 inch.

Shell Section (Make 21 … Starting at bottom, make a chain 12 inches long. 1st row: 2 d c in 4th ch from hook, * skip 1 ch, s c in next ch, skip 1 ch, 3 d c in next ch (a shell). Repeat from * until there are 24 shells in the row. Cut off remaining chain. Ch 3, turn. 2nd row: 2 d c in 1st s c, * s c in center d c of next shell, 3 d c in next s c. Repeat from * across, ending with s c in center d c of last shell. Ch 3, turn. Repeat 2nd row for 2¼ inches. Next row: Sl st to within 3rd s c (2 shells decreased), 3 d c in 3rd s c; work in pattern to within last 3 shells, s c in center d c of next shell (another 2 shells decreased). Ch 3, turn. Now repeat 2nd row until piece measures 4¼ inches in all. Continue in pattern, decreasing 1 shell (2nd and next to last shells) at both ends of every 5th row until 6 shells remain—to dec. a shell, insert hook in center d c of a shell, thread over, insert hook in center d c of next shell, thread over and draw through all loops on hook. Work 2 rows without decreasing. Next row: Work across 2 shells, sl st across next 2 shells (to start hole for cord), work across next 2 shells. Ch 3, turn. Following row: Work across 2 shells, ch 7 over next 2 shells, work across last 2 shells. Ch 3, turn. On next row, work 2 shells over ch-7. * Dec. 2 shells on following row. Work 2 rows without decreasing. Repeat from * once, turn and make a shell in center s c between remaining 2 shells. Fasten off.

Side Sections (Make 4) … Starting at bottom, ch 12. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: S c in each s c across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat 2nd row for 2 inches. Then, keeping one edge straight, make increases at other edge—to inc. 1 s c, make 2 s c in 1 s c—as follows: Inc. 1 s c on next row; inc. 1 s c 1 inch thereafter, twice (3 increases). Then inc. 2 s c at same edge at end of next inch, and 1 inch thereafter; inc. 2 s c at end of next ½ inch (20 s c). Work 2 rows without increasing. Break off.

Gussets (Make 2) … Starting at bottom, ch 15. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: S c in each s c across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat 2nd row for 8 inches. Break off.

Cord … With 4 strands of thread, make a chain 55 inches long. Turn and sl st in each st across. Break off. Double cord, and sew edges together.

Finishing … Block Shell and Side Sections, following diagram for dimensions and position of pieces. Sew pieces together (thus making 2 halves of bag). Sew these 2 halves together along lower edge only.

Foundation Lining … Cut 2 pieces of lining, ½ inch larger on all sides than diagram. Cut 2 pieces of buckram, ⅛ inch smaller on all sides than diagram. Sew lining to buckram, turning down extra material on all sides. Line gussets, and sew in place. Sew slide fastener from top edge of gusset to corresponding position on other side. Sew lower edges together, having tucked in lower edges of gussets. Fold crocheted halves over lining foundation, and sew in place along all edges. Slit lining and buckram where holes appear in crocheted pieces, and finish off neatly.

Cut cord in half. Double each piece, knotting ends, and adjust resulting loop to desired length. Slip loop-ends through holes, sewing knots securely to outside of bag.