Crocheted Shoulder Bag Pattern

Shell stitches add an interesting look to the center of this bag. The bag could be made with a variety of different weights of thread, for different finished sizes. Choose size of hook used to correspond with weight of thread or yarn. It is worked in continuous rounds so it may be helpful to mark the first stitch of each round to help keep track.

Materials: 1917 instructions called for M. Heminway & Sons Texto Crochet navy blue, 4 spools; light blue, 3 spools (30 yards in each Texto Crochet spool); steel crochet hook No. 9.Abbreviations: ch = chain, st = stitch, rnd = round, s.c. = single crochet, d.c. = double crochet; * = repetition

Instructions (as printed in the year 1917): (with a few notes added from Sandi)Starting Chain: With Main Color, chain 26.

Rnd 1: skip 1 ch., s. c. in one loop only of each of the next 24 chains., 3 s. c. in the last ch.; now working in remaining loops down other side of chain, sc in each of next 24 s. c.; 3 s. c. in the last ch. Rnd 2: 25 s. c., 3 s. c. in next st., 26 s. c., 3 s. c. in the next st., 2 s. c. Note from Sandi: When I crocheted this round, while trying out this antique pattern, I found that I needed to leave off those last 2 sc that were called for in this round, in order to have the pattern work out correctly. End of note from Sandi. Directions as written in the year 1917 now continue ... Rnd 3: 22 s. c., 2 s. c. in next st., 2 s. c., 3 s. c. in the next st., 2 s. c., 2 s. c. in the next st., 22 s. c., 2 s. c. in the next st., 2 s. c., 3 s. c. in the next st., 2 s. c. in the next st. Rnd 4: 22 s. c., 2 s. c. in next st., 4 s. c., 3 s. c. in the next st., 4 s. c., 2 s. c. in the next st., 22 s. c., 2 s. c. in the next st., 4 s. c., 3 s. c. in the next st., 4 s. c., 2 s. c. in the next st. This gives you 6 increasing points.

Rnds 5 - 12: Continue working as 4th row until you have 126 sts. (only in each row there should be 2 sts. more between each increasing point).Rnd 13: 1 d. c. in each s. c. of previous row (126 d. c.).Rnds 14 - 17: same as the 13th row.Rnd 18: with Contrasting Color, * ch. 3, 3 d. c. in the same st., skip 3 sts., 1 s. c. in the next st., * repeat from * to end of row (32 shells).Rnd 19: turn, ch. 1, 1 s. c. in loop of the 1st shell made of previous row; * ch. 3, 3 d. c. in the same loop, 1 s. c. in loop of next shell *, repeat from * to end of row. Rnds 20 - 23: same as 19th row.Rnd 24: 4 d. c. in each loop of every shell.Rnd 25: With Main Color, * 7 d. c., skip 1 st. *, repeat from * to end of row.Rnd 26: 1 d. c. in each d. c. of previous row.Rnd 27 same as 26th row.Rnd 28: turn, ch. 3, d. c. in each of the next 30 d. c. of previous row.Rnd 29: turn, ch. 3, 29 d. c.Rnd 30: same as 29th row.Rnd 31: 11 d. c., ch. 7, skip 7 sts., 11 d. c.Rnd 32: 11 d. c., 14 d. c. in space made by 7 chs. of previous row, 11 d. c., break thread.Rnds 33 - 37: Repeat from 28th to 32nd rows. Around top of bag: At opposite side of bag from the one just made crochet a shell around top of bag as follows: * 1 s. c., ch. 3, 2 d. c. in same st., skip 3 sts. * repeat from * to end of round.Edging rounds at bottom of bag: Fold a line at bottom of bag between the last row of s. c. and the 1st row of d. c., making a row of s. c. in Contrasting Color, picking up in between the d. c. sts. (120 sts.) Edging, Rnd 2: 1 d. c. in each s. c. of previous round.Edging, Rnd 3: Same as used on top of bag.Handle for bag: For short strap Make a chain of 24 inches. For shoulder bag Make a chain of 47 inches (more or less, according to your own preferences), 1 d. c. in each ch. in Main Color, continuing with shells on both edges of straps, as follows: * 1 s. c., ch. 3, 2 d. c. in same st., skip 3 sts. * repeat from * to end of row.Lining If desired, line bag with fabric of your choice.