Beach Bag Pattern #S-423

COATS and CLARK'S O.N.T. "Speed-Cro-Sheen" MERCERIZED COTTON, Art. C.44: 3 balls of No. 126 Spanish Red and 1 ball of No. 10-A Canary Yellow. Milwards Steel Crochet Hook No. 2/0. Red plastic plate 9½ inches in diameter Corks.

BOTTOM ... Starting at center with Spanish Red, ch 2.

7 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

2 sc in each sc around.

* Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc (1 sc increased). Repeat from * around.

Sc in each sc around, increasing 7 sc evenly around.

Repeat 4th rnd until piece measures 9½ inches in diameter. Place a marker.

Next rnd: Working in back loop only, sc in each sc around.

Sc in each sc around, decreasing 7 sc evenly around—to dec 1 sc, work off 2 sc as 1 sc.

Repeat last rnd 3 more times.

Now make beading as follows: Sc in next sc, * ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around. Join and break off.

SIDE PIECE ... 1st rnd: Fold piece at marker and, working through both thicknesses, make sc in each sc around. Join.

Sc in same place as sl st, * pull loop on hook out to measure ¾ inch, thread over and draw loop through, insert hook between single and double loops and draw a loop through, thread over and draw through 2 loops on hook (knot st made); make another knot st, skip next 4 sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around, ending with sl st in first sc.

Pull loop on hook out to measure same height as first knot st, sc in knot at center of first knot st loop, sc under double loop of next knot st to the left of same knot, * make 2 knot sts, sc under double loop of next knot st to the right of knot, sc under double loop of next knot st to the left of same knot. Repeat from * around. Join to first st.

Repeat 3rd rnd until Side Piece measures 13½ inches. Break off. Insert plate in bottom. To anchor plate securely, with Red make a chain 36 inches long for a tie, lace through beading on last rnd of bottom and tie in a bow.

CORD (Make 2) ... Cut 8 strands of Canary Yellow, each 3 yards long. Twist these strands tightly. Now double these strands and twist in opposite direction. Lace Cords through last rnd of Side Piece. Knot free ends. Tie corks at ends of cords.