Clever Clusters Bag

MATERIALS

INTERMEDIATE

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

141/2 inches wide x 101/2 inches long, excluding Handles

• Omega La Espiga size 18 nylon cord (7 oz/197 yds/200g per roll):

2 rolls #41 goldenrod

• Size G/6/4mm crochet hook or

size needed to obtain gauge • Tapestry needle

• 25mm (1 inch) round, maple wood beads by Pepperell Braiding Company: 10

• 16mm (.63 inch) round, maple wood beads by Pepperell Braiding Company: 56

• 12 x 18-inch felt rectangle in

matching or contrast color: 2 • Hand sewing needle or sewing

machine and matching thread • Large-eye sharp needle

(chenille needle)

GAUGE

Rnds 1–4 = 2 inches; (sc, ch 1, shell, ch 1, sc) = 2 inches

PATTERN NOTES

Weave in loose ends as work progresses.

Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated.

SPECIAL STITCHES Beginning cluster (beg cl):

Ch 3, yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, yo, pull through all 3 lps on hook.

Cluster (cl): Yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, [yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice, yo, pull through all 4 lps on hook. Single crochet join (sc join):

Place a slip knot on hook, insert hook in indicated st, yo and pull up a lp, yo and draw through both lps on hook.

BAG

Rnd 1 (RS): Beg at bottom edge, ch 96, sc in last ch from hook to join, [ch 1, sk next 2 chs, shell (see Special Stitches) in next ch, ch 1, sk next 2 chs*, sc

in next ch] around, ending last rep at *, join (see Pattern Notes) to first sc. (16 shells, 16 sc)

Rnd 2: Beg cl (see Special

Stitches) in same st as join, ch 3, sc in center dc of next shell, [ch 3, cl (see Special Stitches) in next sc, ch 3, sc in center dc of next shell] around, ch 3, join in top of beg cl. (16 sc, 16 cls)

Rnd 3: Beg shell (see Special

Stitches) in same st as join, ch 1, sc in next sc, [ch 1, shell in next cl, ch 1, sc in next sc] around, ch 1, join in top of beg shell ch-3. (16 shells, 16 sc) Rnd 4: Sl st in next 2 dc of beg shell, (sl st, ch 1, sc) in next dc, ch 3, cl in next sc, [ch 3, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 3, cl in

next sc] around, ch 3, join in first sc. (16 sc, 16 cls)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, ch 1, shell in next cl, ch 1, [sc in next sc, ch 1, shell in next cl] around, ch 1, join in first sc. (16 shells, 16 sc) Rnds 6–21: [Rep rnds 2–5 consecutively] 4 times.

Rnd 22: Ch 1, sc in same sc as join, sc in each ch-1 sp, dc and sc around, join to first sc. Fasten off. (160 sc)

I-Cord

Make 2. Note: When working I-cord, it

may be easier to hold lps off hook with your thumbnail against your middle finger to prevent unravelling while maintaining tension on working yarn or slip a small knitting needle (or toothpick) in last 2 lps, remove lps from hook onto needle, then work them off needle and back onto hook as instructed between [ ].

Ch 3, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pull up lp (2nd lp on

hook), insert hook in next ch, yo, pull up lp (3rd lp on hook),

*remove last 2 lps made from hook and hold securely between thumb and index finger of yarn

(nondominant) hand, yo, draw through rem lp on hook, [pick up next lp held with fingers, yo, draw only through this lp on hook] twice, rep from * until firmly stretched I-cord measures 201/2 inches, yo, draw through all lps on hook, fasten off, leaving an 8-inch tail.

ASSEMBLY & FINISHING

With WS facing, flatten Bag and hold edges of rnd 1 tog, matching 8 shells on each side and aligning sc at each side edge. Working through both thicknesses of opposite side of foundation ch, sc join (see Special

Stitches) yarn in first ch, sc in each ch across. Fasten off. Do not turn Bag to RS. (48 sc)

Lining

From each piece of felt, cut a rectangle measuring 91/2 inches

long x 153/ 8 inches wide. Holding pieces tog and with sewing needle or machine, sew 1/4 -inch seam across side and bottom edges. Turn Lining to RS.

Insert Bag in Lining. With WS tog and top edges of Lining and rnd 20 matching, whipstitch

(see illustration) Lining to Bag with sewing needle and thread.

Decorative Finish of Lining (Optional)

Separate 11/2-yd strand into 3 plies. With 1 ply and large-eye sharp needle, embroider chain stitches (see illustration) across top edge of Lining. Turn Bag to RS.

Top Edge & Handle Work twice.

With RS facing, insert 8-inch I-cord tail from RS to WS and then to RS again around 2nd shell from right edge of rnd 21, thread tail through 25mm bead, carefully sliding beads along cord as beading progresses, [insert tail from RS to WS and then to RS again around next shell, thread tail through 25mm bead] 4 times, thread cord through 28 16mm beads, tightly knot beg and end tails tog.