Handkerchief Edging Pattern #49

Edgings for handkerchiefs are usually very dainty and require a very fine size of thread. Use No. 70 or No. 100 White Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Mercerized Crochet and No. 14 Milward's steel crochet hook.

Cut the edges of handkerchief on a thread. Make the narrowest possible hem, and draw a thread just inside it to make it easy to insert the needle when crocheting the edge.

These edging designs are also appropriate for lingerie and collar and cuffs; worked in heavier thread they make attractive trimming for towels, pillowcases, luncheon sets and scarfs.

If the edge of the material is shaped or scalloped, it may be machine hemstitched and the edging worked directly into the hemstitching. Or, if you prefer, stitch along the edge with an unthreaded sewing machine needle of a coarse size. The needle makes a hole in preparation for the crochet hook.

You will feel a greater appreciation for crochet when you realise that it is one of the few creative arts left to womankind which no machine yet devised has accurately reproduced.

Turn a tiny hem and baste in place. 1st row: S c closely all around over hem, ch 4. 2d row: 1 d c in every other s c with ch-1 between each d c, except at the corners, work 1 d c in every s c, with ch-1 between, (taking 9 d c to get around a corner). Join to 3d st of ch-4, ch 3. 3d row: 1 tr under 1st ch-1, ch 3, 1 cluster under same ch-1 (to make a cluster, make 2 tr under ch-1 holding the last st of 1st tr on the hook, then thread over hook and take off all remaining loops) * skip next ch-1, 2 clusters with ch-3 between under next ch-1, and repeat from * around handkerchief. Join with sl st to top of ch-3, ch 3. 4th row: 2 clusters under each ch-3 of 3d row, with 5-ch p between (to make a 5-ch p:—ch 5, s c back in 2d ch made). Join with sl st and fasten off.