For each large circle make a chain of 20 stitches, and join it into a circle.

1st round:  30 stitches of double crochet over the circle of chain stitches.

2nd round:  36 stitches of double crochet.

3rd round:  1 double, 5 chain, miss 1. 4th round: 

[Illustration:  240.—­Couvrette in Crochet.]

The same as the preceding—­the 1 double always on the 3rd chain.

5th round:  Close double crochet; 3 stitches in 1 in the centre stitch of each loop.

6th to 12th round:  The same as the 5th, close double crochet, increasing in the centre of each small scallop, which forms the 18 raised petals of the dahlia.

13th round:  Here begins the open-work border round the dahlia.  Work 1 double between 2 petals, taking together the 2 centre stitches, 1 double in the next, 5 chain.  There will be 18 loops of 5 chain in the round.

14th to 17th round:  1 double in centre of each loop, 5 chain between. 18th round:  1 double in centre of 1st loop, 4 chain, 1 treble in next loop; in the top of this treble stitch work 3 double, with 3 chain between each; make 4 chain.  Repeat the same all round, and the large circle is completed.  Six of these are required.

[Illustration:  241.—­Showing one of the small Circles full size of No. 240.]

For each small circle make a chain of 10 stitches, and join it into a round.

1st round:  16 stitches of close double crochet.

2nd round:  1 treble, 3 chain, miss 1, 8 times.

3rd round:  9 treble over each loop of chain, 1 double between.  This completes 1 of the 6 small circles placed round the large ones in the centre of the couvrette.  The 6 that are placed between the 5 other large circles have 1 more round, which is worked as follows:—­1 treble in the centre of 1 scallop in the top of this treble stitch, 3 double, with 3 chain between each, 6 chain.  Repeat the same all round.

[Illustration:  242.—­Showing one of the large Circles full size of No. 240.]

When all the circles are completed, join them together, as seen in illustration 217, and work the border as follows:—­

1st round:  1 treble in one of the trefoil branches of a small circle, 8 chain, 1 treble in next trefoil, 8 chain, 1 treble in 3rd trefoil, 8 chain, 1 long treble in 4th trefoil, 10 chain, 1 long treble in 1 trefoil of a large circle, 1 treble in each of the 4 next trefoils of the large circle, 8 chain between each 8 chain, 1 long treble in the last trefoil of the large circle,10 chain.  Repeat all round.

2nd round:  2 treble, with 1 chain between, in first stitch of last round, * 4 chain, miss 5, 2 treble with 1 chain between next stitch.  Repeat from *.

3rd and 4th rounds:  The same as the 2nd.  The 2 treble always in 1 chain.

5th round:  In each 1 chain, 4 treble, with 1 chain between the 2nd and 3rd, 4 chain after the 4 treble.  The same all round.