Part 4

Crochet up the two sides, with ponceau, to the opening. Then, work one plain row in ponceau, round the opening, to strengthen the purse, and give it uniformity.

If intended for ordinary use, the colours may be changed to blue and claret.

A Round D’Oyley or Mat.

Commence with a chain of six stitches, in black eight-thread fleecy. Unite both ends. Crochet all round, increasing on every stitch, for the _first row_.

The pattern may be formed in three shades of scarlet, on a blue ground of three shades; the darkest shade of the scarlet being on the lightest shade of the blue.

_Second row_—one stitch of dark scarlet, and two stitches of light blue, alternately;—forming the commencement of a star of six points.

_Third row_—three stitches of the dark scarlet, and two of the blue.

_Fourth row_—five stitches of a lighter shade of scarlet, and two of the blue.

_Fifth row_—five stitches of the lighter scarlet, and three of the second shade of blue.

_Sixth row_—three stitches of the lightest scarlet, and six of the second blue.

_Seventh row_—one stitch of the lightest scarlet, and eight of the darkest blue.

_Eighth row_—one plain row of the darkest blue.

Three plain rows of black, will finish the D’Oyley.

In every row, increasing stitches are to be made in the blue; and also, in the plain rows of black.

A Chancelière.

Four-thread fleecy with a steel needle.

It is impossible to give the exact number of stitches for the commencement of a chancelière, as each row varies; it is advisable, therefore, to cut the shape in stiff paper, as a pattern,—first of the top, and then of the border. In those parts where it is requisite to increase the width of the work, it should be done by making an extra stitch on each side. The stitches of the border are to be worked in a contrary direction to those of the top, as shown in the preceding engraving.—The following pattern will be found suitable for a chancelière.

Commence at the toe, by working two plain rows of ground in scarlet, and crochet the centre stripe of the annexed pattern in rich green, on the same coloured ground.

The ground of the next stripe is black, on which the pattern is to be worked in three shades of gold colour.

Work a plain row of middle blue, which also forms the ground of the small chain pattern, with the exception of the centre row, which is claret. The chain is in white.

Work a plain row of claret, and then repeat the second stripe as before, with the colours reversed.

The above colours, if well chosen, are exceedingly pretty, but they may be varied according to fancy.

The slipper pattern No. 23, and also the Turkish pattern No. 12, are equally adapted for a chancelière.

The chancelière should be made up on a very firm foundation, and stuffed between the lining and the work with wool: the inside should be made separate, and knitted in the _brioche_ stitch, with six or eight thread fleecy. The ermine ruff, or trimming, of worsted, may easily be procured, but if it cannot readily be so, a thick knitted fringe, three or four times doubled, will be a good substitute. The bottom is formed of leather or cloth.

A Square Border Pattern.

The annexed pattern is adapted for any square requiring a border, such as a table cover, mat, quilt, sofa cushion, couvre-pied, etc. To render it easy, the centre may be worked in the same colours as the border, introducing any spot, sprig, or other small pattern,—the same colours being carried through the whole, or slipped at the back. If, however, the plan of introducing the colour only in the pattern be understood, it may here be employed with advantage.

The ground of the pattern might be in a self colour,—say white, with the pattern in scarlet; or, the ground might be in five shades of scarlet, the pattern being crocheted in emerald green, blue, white, or black, according to taste, or the purpose for which the work was designed. The whole of the pattern might also be worked in chiné or shaded wool.

The kind of wool to be used must be adapted to the purpose for which the work is required; thus,—for a quilt or couvre-pied, six-thread fleecy—for a mat, eight thread common fleecy;—for a table mat, German wool; for a baby’s quilt, or a sofa pillow, eight thread zephyr fleecy.

For the centre of the design, either the preceding sprig pattern, or the patterns Nos. 20 or 39, may be taken. If the ground be worked in shades, five shades of any colour, neither too distinct, nor too dark, should be selected.

This border is well adapted for ribbed or raised crochet, as described at page 57.

A Table Cover, Pillow, or Mat.

Commence with a chain and one row of black. Crochet four plain rows,—one white, one light green, one white, one black. The latter forms the ground of the border,—the pattern on which is in three shades of scarlet—two rows of each, beginning with the darkest. One plain row of black finishes the border.

Work six plain rows:—the first, green; the second, white; the third, green; the fourth, black; the fifth, white; the sixth, scarlet.

The ground of the centre may be gold colour, commencing with one plain row,—the colours of the pine pattern on which are as follow:—

_First row_—middle blue.

_Second row_—light blue.

_Third row_—dark scarlet.

_Fourth row_—light scarlet.

_Fifth row_—four stitches middle green; three white; four middle green.

_Sixth row_—four stitches light green; three white; four light green.

_Seventh row_—three stitches lilac; two black; three lilac.

_Eighth row_—four stitches light lilac; two black; four light lilac.

_Ninth row_—middle green.

_Tenth row_—light green.

_Eleventh row_—dark scarlet.

_Twelfth row_—light scarlet.

Small Pine-pattern Table Cover.

The chain and _first row_—black.

_Second row_—scarlet.

_Third row_—white.

_Fourth row_—bright blue, which continues through the next three rows, forming the outer ground of the border. The pattern of the border is in shades of scarlet.

_Fifth and sixth rows_—blue, and dark scarlet.

_Seventh row_—blue, bright scarlet, and drab—the latter forming the inner ground of the border.

_Eighth row_—bright scarlet and drab. The single stitch at the top of the blue ground being white.

_Ninth and tenth rows_—light scarlet, and drab.

_Eleventh row_—drab, which also forms the ground of the centre.

The colours for the small pine pattern in the centre, are,—black, two shades of blue, and white.

In the next, or reversed row of the pattern, the colours may be varied as follow:—black, two shades of scarlet, and white.

Scroll Pattern Stripe for a Bag.

Commence with chain and _first row_,—bright green.

_Second row_—scarlet.

_Third row_—green.

_Fourth, fifth, and sixth rows_—treble open crochet, with gold.

_Seventh, eighth, and ninth rows_—repeat the first, second, and third rows. Then,—crochet a stripe, consisting of eleven rows, with the above pattern, in dead gold colour, on a violet ground. As these stripes range perpendicularly, the position of the scrolls in the pattern should be reversed at the bottom of the bag, in order that they may appear the same on either side.

This bag may be worked in various combinations of colour; it is very pretty if the pattern be worked in shaded, or chiné, silk, and the stripes alternately in two different colours.

It may be as well to observe, that the plain line on either side of the scroll, as shown in this, as in many other patterns, may be advantageously omitted. It has therefore not been noticed in the preceding directions.

A useful Sprig Pattern.

The above sprig pattern will be found useful for bags, and a variety of other purposes. It may be worked in two shades of green, and three of pink, as follows:—

_First row_—first stitch dark green; second, light green.

_Second row_—one stitch light green: two dark green;—two light green; one dark green;—three dark green.

_Third row_—two stitches light green; three dark green;—two light green; two dark green.

_Fourth row_—three stitches light green; two dark green;—two dark green.

_Fifth row_—four stitches light green; one dark green;—one dark green;—two dark green.

_Sixth row_—dark green.

_Seventh row_—three stitches dark pink; one dark green;—one dark green; two dark green.

_Eighth row_—three stitches dark pink; one dark green; one middle pink;—one light green.

_Ninth row_—three stitches dark pink; three middle pink;—one light green.

_Tenth row_—one stitch dark green;—three middle pink;—two light green.

_Eleventh row_—three stitches light pink; three middle pink;—three light green.

_Twelfth row_—three stitches light pink;—two light green.

_Thirteenth and fourteenth rows_—light pink.

A Carriage Bag.

The above pattern may be worked in German wool, or crochet silk. If an useful and durable bag be desired, the following colours will be found to work well on a black ground.—Commence with a chain and two rows of black. Crochet the border pattern as follows:—

_First row_—one stitch scarlet; four black; two middle green; three black; one scarlet.—Repeat.

_Second row_—three stitches scarlet; two black; two light green; one black; two lilac; one black.—Repeat.

_Third row_—one stitch black; three scarlet; four black; two white; one black.—Repeat.

_Fourth row_—one stitch black; three scarlet; two black; two lilac; three black.—Repeat.

_Fifth row_—two stitches black; three scarlet; one black; two white; one black; two middle green.—Repeat.

_Sixth row_—four stitches black; two scarlet; three black; two light green.—Repeat.

Crochet one plain row of black. Work the sprig pattern in the same colours as the border,—arranging them in the following order: _first row_,—scarlet; _second_,—middle green; _third_,—light green; _fourth_,—lilac; _fifth_,—white.

If German wool be used, the white may be worked with floss silk.

Another Table Cover.

Commence with a chain and one plain row of black. Work two plain rows of scarlet, and in the next row, commence the pattern of the first border in black. The outer ground of the border is scarlet,—the inner ground of the border is white. Three wools are worked at the same time.

Work one plain row of white between the two border patterns.

The second border pattern is in two shades of blue—the first two rows being on the former white ground, the three last on the black ground, which composes the centre. Commence the centre with,—

Two plain rows of black. Then on the black ground, commence the palm pattern as follows:—

_First row_—middle green.

_Second row_—bright green.

_Third row_—bright scarlet.

_Fourth row_—scarlet, the centre stitch white.

_Fifth row_—three stitches blue; two white; two blue.

_Sixth row_—blue.

_Seventh row_—gold colour.

_Eighth row_—yellow.

This pattern requires three different coloured wools in many of the rows. It is very handsome. The side border may be crocheted on.

Six-thread fleecy, and a steel needle, should be used.

A Brioche.

A Brioche (so called from its resemblance in shape to the well known French cake of that name), may be as easily worked in crochet as in knitting. It may also be divided into stripes or compartments, gradually decreasing in breadth towards the top or centre of the cushion, in the same manner as in the knitted brioche. Various patterns may be introduced in these stripes, but, when a very soft cushion is desired, this is not advisable, as the extra wool, then required to be carried through the work, would render it of too firm a texture.

The following directions for working a brioche in crochet will be found very simple, and, at the same time, serve as a guide for those of a more complicated nature.

Commence with a chain of seventy stitches in eight-thread zephyr fleecy—black.

_First row_—black.

_Second row_—gold colour.

_Third row_—black.

The above three rows are all of an equal length. Then, crochet fifteen rows in any pretty colour, omitting four stitches at the end of the first, and of each successive row, so that in the last of these fifteen rows there will be only ten stitches.

Repeat the row of black, taking in each of the four stitches omitted at the ends of the last fifteen rows, as also the four stitches at the top of the last row of black. Crochet one row of gold colour, and one row of black, as at the commencement, when one compartment of the brioche will be completed, forming a conical stripe.

Repeat the fifteen rows, omitting the four stitches at the end of each row, as before directed; and continue as above until sixteen similar compartments are worked; this will be found sufficient for an ordinary-sized brioche.

The colours of the stripes may be varied, thus,—blue, brown, scarlet, and stone colour, in their order of succession, repeated four times, will form a very pretty contrast,—the dividing stripe between each being formed of two rows of black, with a row of gold between them. Either chiné or ombré wool may also be employed.

When finished, the brioche may be made up either entirely soft, or with a stiff bottom of mill-board, about six or eight inches in diameter, covered with cloth or velvet. The top should be drawn together, and fastened in the centre, either with a tuft of soft wool, or with a cord and tassels, as represented in the preceding engraving. It should be stuffed with down or fine combed wool.

Another Bag in Stripes.

The above pattern will be found very easy to work, in perpendicular stripes, for a bag, the stripes being divided by two rows of treble open crochet in gold. Each side of the bag is formed of four stripes of the above pattern, and five stripes of the treble open crochet; but, as the latter should form the outer edge at the side of the bag, and cannot be worked without a foundation, it will be necessary to begin with the figured stripe in silk, and afterwards to open the treble open crochet in gold on either side of it.—Therefore,

Commence with a chain in dark green netting silk.—The number of stitches must depend on the size of the silk employed, but a chain of about twelve inches in length will be found sufficient for a bag of this description. The bag should be worked in one length.

_First row_—dark green.

_Second row_—two stitches of ponceau, and two of dark green, alternately.

_Third row_—ponceau.

In the fourth row the pattern commences with two colours, the wave portion of the pattern being in dark green; with the bell in a lighter shade of green; the ground, ponceau: or, the pattern may be worked in chiné greens.

Eight rows complete the pattern, when a plain row of ponceau, a row of two alternate stitches of ponceau and green, and a plain row of green, finish the stripe.

Crochet two rows of treble open crochet in gold; and commence again with the pattern in silk.

This bag when completed is about six inches square; it should be hemmed at the top, and lined, and finished with strings and tassels.

The pattern No. 24, is also equally adapted for a bag of this description; but in the centre of the work the pattern should be reversed, in order that when the two sides of the bag are folded together the pattern may run in the same direction, as in the manner described for the bag at page 113.

A similar Bag.

A very easy but extremely elegant bag in perpendicular stripes may be made by commencing with—

Chain and _first row_—scarlet.

_Second row_—gold.

Crochet eleven plain rows in scarlet.

_Fourteenth row_—gold.

_Fifteenth row_—scarlet.

On each side of the band thus made, crochet two rows of treble open crochet in gold.

Four plain scarlet stripes, and five of the open crochet, arranged as in the preceding example, complete the bag.

A Bag with Five Points.

Commence with a chain of eight stitches: having united the ends, make every other stitch a treble increased stitch,—by crocheting three stitches in one loop. Continue to increase in a similar manner, until twenty-eight rows be worked, taking care that the increasing stitches be kept exactly over each other; when a point in the centre, and a point at the termination of each line of dividing stitches, will be formed. The remaining part of the bag is to be worked in rounds, until it be of sufficient height.

The prettiest way of working this description of bag, is with steel or gold beads.

The following pine pattern may be taken for the centre of each division of points.

The upper part of the bag may be semé, with a pattern composed of beads, such as the following.

The top may be finished with three plain rows of crochet; or with any small border pattern in beads, similar to those figured beneath: but for this purpose there are several others, in various parts of the book, equally appropriate, and that may be selected according to the taste of the worker.

A Bag in Treble open Crochet.

This bag should be worked in one long piece, and afterwards folded together, so that the rows range perpendicularly; in the same manner as that described at page 123.

Commence with a chain in ponceau.

_First row_—gold. _Second row_—deep blue. _Third row_—ponceau. _Fourth row_—deep blue. _Fifth row_—gold. _Sixth row_—ponceau. _Seventh row_—black. _Eighth row_—ponceau.

treble open crochet.

Repeat from the first row, until the bag be of a sufficient breadth.

Patterns in open Crochet.

Open crochet, as also double and treble open crochet, have already been fully described (see page 16). The two following patterns are, amongst numerous others of a like description, merely variations of a similar kind of work:

It is therefore unnecessary to enter into a detailed description of these, as it would occupy too great a space, and the engravings sufficiently explain themselves. These patterns are useful for a variety of purposes, particularly for working with cotton, for tidies, D’Oyleys, etc.

A Travelling Bolster.

The two circular ends should be worked first. Commence with a chain of six stitches, in black four-thread fleecy: unite both ends, and crochet all round, increasing on every stitch for the _first row_.

The pattern is then to be worked in three shades of scarlet, on a ground composed of three shades of green; the darkest shade of the scarlet being on the lightest shade of the green.

_Second row_—one stitch dark scarlet; two light green.—Repeat.—This forms the commencement of a star of six points.

_Third row_—three stitches dark scarlet; two light green.—Repeat.

_Fourth row_—five stitches middle scarlet; two light green.—Repeat.

_Fifth row_—five stitches middle scarlet; three middle green.—Repeat.

_Sixth row_—three stitches light scarlet; six middle green.—Repeat.

_Seventh row_—one stitch light scarlet; eight dark green.—Repeat.

_Eighth row_—dark green.

Two plain rows of black finish the end.

N. B. In every row, increasing stitches are to be made in the green, as also on the plain rows of black.

Having finished the two ends, make a chain of about sixteen inches in length, in black; and work the other part of the bolster as follows:—

_First row_—black.

_Second row_—dark green.

_Third row_—middle green.

_Fourth row_—light green.

_Fifth row_—white.

Repeat the first four rows—reversed.

_Tenth and Eleventh rows_—scarlet.

_Twelfth row_—commence a pattern, by working alternately six stitches of scarlet and four of black.

_Thirteenth row_—seven stitches scarlet (a); four yellow; six scarlet.—Repeat from (a).

_Fourteenth row_—six stitches scarlet; four black.—Repeat.

_Fifteenth row_—seven stitches scarlet; (b) four light green; six scarlet.—Repeat from (b).

_Sixteenth and Seventeenth rows_—scarlet.

Commence again as at first row; and repeat, until a piece be worked sufficiently long to go easily round the ends.

The bolster should be made up by stuffing it with down or soft wool. A long crochet band, worked similar to the green shaded stripe, should be attached to either end, with a small worsted tuft in the centre, by way of ornament.

Bags, worked in a similar manner to the above, are frequently made; these, however, are not required to be so long. They are fastened at the opening with strings or buttons. They may be made with eight-thread zephyr fleecy.

A Slipper in Raised Crochet.

Raised, or ribbed crochet has already been described at page 57. To work a slipper, commence with a chain of seven stitches, and crochet forty-six rows backwards and forwards, observing to make three stitches in one loop in the centre stitch of each row. This will make a sufficient increase in each succeeding row to form the front of the slipper, and at the same time cause the ribbed rows to run in an uniform diagonal direction on either side.

Having thus completed the front of the shoe, crochet, on the right-hand side, a row of twenty-six stitches, and work a sufficient number of rows (about ninety) to form the back. The end of this band is then to be sewn to the other side of the front.

The sole of the slipper may be made either of leather, or of crochet in coarse wool; the latter is most readily made by cutting the shape in stiff paper, and then working it to the exact size. The top of the slipper may be finished with an ermine trimming of worsted.

A Half Square Shawl.

Commence with a chain of nine hundred stitches in black eight-thread zephyr fleecy.

_First row_—black.

_Second and Third rows_—white.

Crochet eleven rows, alternately with black, and any pretty chiné wool.

_Fourteenth and Fifteenth rows_—white.

_Sixteenth and Seventeenth rows_—green.

Crochet eleven rows, alternately with scarlet, and any bright chiné wool.

_Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth rows_—green.

_Thirty-first and Thirty-second rows_—black.

Crochet eleven rows, alternately with white, and a chiné wool.

_Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth rows_—black.

_Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh rows_—red.

Crochet eleven rows, alternately with green, and a chiné wool.

_Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth rows_—scarlet.

Repeat from second row.

By omitting a stitch in the centre of each row, the shawl will assume, whilst working, a pointed form, similar to that of a half square, at the same time that the rows of crochet will run in a diagonal direction from either side of the centre. It may be trimmed with a black fringe of about four inches deep sewn on the two sides.

To form the striped pattern as above directed, four chiné wools, of different colours, should be employed.

A Light Shawl.

This is worked with German wool, in open crochet stitch, but without leaving a stitch between each, as in the ordinary method.

Chain and _first row_—claret.

_Second row_—two stitches claret, two blue, alternately.

_Third row_—blue.

Crochet the above pattern in claret on the blue ground.

_Fifteenth row_—blue.

_Sixteenth row_—two stitches claret, two blue, alternately.

_Seventeenth row_—claret.

Repeat from first row.—In the second stripe of the pattern, deep gold colour should be used in place of the blue, and black in place of the claret wool; thus working, alternately, a stripe in each of the two colours.

Border for a Shawl.

This will form a good pine pattern for the border of a shawl, in German wool on a black ground.

Commence with chain and _first row_—deep gold colour.

_Second row_—black.

Then crochet the annexed pine on a black ground, in the following colours.

_First row_—imperial blue.

_Second row_—lighter shade of blue.

_Third row_—deep scarlet.

_Fourth row_—bright scarlet.

_Fifth row_—dark green.

_Sixth row_—middle green.

_Seventh row_—dark lilac.

_Eighth row_—light lilac.

_Ninth and Tenth rows_—two shades of stone colour.

_Eleventh and Twelfth rows_—two shades of blue.