Monogram Handbag Pattern #2246

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. Boucle, 3 balls of main color and 1 ball of a contrasting color for monogram and handle.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 1.
An 8-inch slide fastener.
¼ yd. lining material.
1 yd. millinery wire.

When completed, bag measures 8½ inches in diameter.

Starting at center, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. 1st rnd: 5 half d c in ring. 2nd rnd: * Half d c in next half d c, 2 half d c in next half d c. Repeat from * around. 3rd and subsequent rnds: Continue in this manner, making half d c's around, increasing when necessary to keep work flat, until work measures 8½ inches in diameter. Fasten and break off. Make another piece same as this. Measure off a piece of wire long enough to go around outer edge of one piece of bag. Baste this wire along the edge. Place the two pieces together and work a row of s c around edge, working over the wire and through the two pieces, and leaving an opening of 8 inches for slide fastener.

Monogram. With contrasting color, to make straight letters, make a chain as long as desired, turn. D c in 3rd ch from hook, d c in each st of chain. Break off. For curved letters, make a chain as long as desired, turn. D c in 3rd ch from hook, * d c in each of next 2 sts, 2 d c in next st, repeat from * along chain. Break off. Shape pieces to form desired initials and sew on bag as in illustration.

Handle. With contrasting color, make a chain to measure about 10 inches. 1st row: Half d c in 3rd ch from hook, half d c in each ch across. Ch 2, turn. 2nd to 5th rows incl: Half d c in each half d c across. Break off. Double the width of handle and sew inner edges together. Sew handle on as in illustration. Sew slide fastener across opening and line bag.