Handkerchief Edging Pattern #50

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 1. 2d row: 1 s c in 1st s c, * 1 knot st (to make a knot st draw loop out on hook ¼ inch, ch 1, 1 s c over single loop at left side of st just made), make a 2d knot st, skip 4 s c of previous row, s c in next st. Continue from * around handkerchief. To turn around the corners do not skip 4 s c but work the 2 double knot sts directly over 2 corner s c. Then continue skipping 4 s c as before between s c's. Join with sl st to 1st s c of row. 3d row: In making the 1st knot st draw loops out ⅜ inch instead of ¼, 1 s c over double loop at right of 1st knot st of preceding row, 1 s c over double loop at left of same knot, and repeat around making ¼ inch loops as directed before, join. 4th row: Same as 3d row. Join. 5th row: Ch 5, 1 s c under double loop at right and 1 s c under double loop at left of knot, ch 5, and repeat all around. Fasten off.