[Illustration:  245.—­Crochet Silk Bag.]

For the small diamond make a chain of 5 stitches and unite it, work 4 long stitches into the circle, make 2 chain, work 1 single stitch to the centre of the ring missed in joining the last circle, make 2 chain, work 4 long into the circle, make 2 chain, and work a stitch of single crochet to the centre of the next ring, make 2 chain, work 4 long into the same place, make 5 chain, work 4 long into the same place, make 2 chain, and work a stitch of single crochet to the next ring, make 2 chain, and join it to the first of the long stitches; this completes the diamonds; work 5 more, joining them in the same way, then work over 12 rings, and join one on each side of every diamond; this completes the lower part of the bag.  For the top part of the bag work 3 stitches of double crochet to the centre of each ring, make 5 chain, and repeat. 1st round:  Work 1 long stitch, make 1 chain, miss 1 loop, and repeat.  Work 12 more rounds in the same way, working the long stitch into the chain stitch of last row.  Run some cord in the top of the bag to match one of the colours used, and make the tassel for the bottom from the silk that is remaining after working the crochet.

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246.—­Crochet Sovereign Purse.

Materials:  1 skein of black purse silk:  1 skein of coloured ditto; a few steel beads; and a steel clasp.

The open portion of this purse is worked in coloured, and the raised rose and outer border in black, silk, the latter being dotted with steel beads.  A few rows of plain double crochet are worked, increasing where necessary, to make the work lie flat; then 4 rows of loops of chain in coloured silk, and then 3 rows of thick double crochet, threading the beads first on the silk, and pushing them up to the stitches when required.

[Illustration:  446.—­Crochet Sovereign Purse.]

The black silk must now be joined on to the centre, and the little raised piece worked in treble crochet, inserting the hook on the upper side of the stitches.  Three rounds of treble are executed, and when both sides of the purse are finished they should be joined together (except where the clasp is put on) by a row of open treble, ornamented with beads.  This purse is so easy to make, that it might be worked without the least difficulty from the illustration.

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247.—­Stars in Crochet.

Materials:  Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.’s crochet cotton No. 8 or 20.

This pattern can be used for a couvrette or pincushion cover, according to the size of the cotton with which it is worked.

Each star is begun in the centre by a chain of 8 stitches.  In the 1st stitch work 1 treble, * 4 chain, 1 treble in this same 1st stitch, repeat from * 3 times more, 4 chain, 1 slip stitch in the 4th of the 8 chain.  You have thus formed 8 rays, joined to the 1st stitch.  Now work (without cutting the cotton) the branches, which are begun from the centre.