Shell Bag Russel Fraser booklet, 1890-1930

Materials: 5 tubes Raphael Gimp, Lining, one 7" Oval Hinge Frame.

Stitch: Use shell stitch throughout and single crochet for top of bag.
Shell Stitch: 6 treble crochets in same stitch make one Shell Stitch. To increase shell make 8, 10, 12 treble crochets in same stitch.

To Start: Ch 54, turn.
1st row: Make 6 trc's in 6th ch from hook picking up one loop only. * Skip 2 chs, 1 sc in next ch, skip 2 chs, 6 trc's in next ch and repeat from * 7 times more (9 shells).
2nd row: Ch 2, turn. * Make 1 sc in center of shell of previous row, 6 trc's in next sc picking up back loop only and repeat from * to end of row ending with a sc in center of last shell of previous row (8 shells).
3rd row: Ch 3, turn. * Make 6 trc's in sc of previous row picking up back loop only, 1 sc in center of next shell and repeat from * to end of row ending with 6 trc's in last sc of previous row.
4th and 5th rows: Alternate 2nd and 3rd rows.
6th and 7th rows: Ch 3, turn. Make 6 trc's in last tr of last shell of previous row picking up back loop only, 1 sc in center of last shell, * 6 trc's in next sc picking up back loop only, 1 sc in center of next shell and repeat from * to end of row ending with 6 trc's in last tr of first shell of previous row.
8th to 11th rows: Alternate 2nd and 3rd rows but make 8 trc's for each shell.
12th to 15th rows: Alternate 2nd and 3rd rows but make 10 trc's for each shell.
16th to 23rd rows: Alternate 2nd and 3rd rows but make 12 trc's for ech shell. End off. Make other side of bag to correspond. Make foundation top for each side. Join both sides together. Sew bag to frame. Sew in lining.

Foundation Top: 1st row: Make 1 sc in each st of foundation ch at beginning of bag. (There should be 48 sc's) Ch 1, turn.
2nd row: Make 1 sc in each st of previous row. End off.

Handle: Ch 175, turn. Make a sl st in each loop in back of chain. End off. Insert handle in frame and join ends together.