"Suave accent...from noon to dawn...a regal Beaded Handbag...eloquently beautiful, hand-crocheted by you."

PARIS INSPIRES the hand-made Beaded Bag . . . impeccable in bronze, iridescent blue or jet black Hiawatha Beads . . . elegant in jewel like colors for after-dark fashions. Melina designs for you enchanting beaded handbags even more precious than the ready-made product, yet costing only a small fraction of what they might if purchased. Start one while on vacation. You'll treasure it for the rare look it attains through years of wear. The directions below are easy to follow.

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS
Read Before Starting Work

Bead crochet should be worked rather tightly (beads should be close but texture pliable) using No. 9 steel crochet hook. Unless otherwise stated, 1 bead is slipped into place before each single crochet stitch.
Slip 2 bunches of beads onto HIAWATHA Bead Twist. Start work. When all beads have been crocheted, cut Bead Twist and fasten off leaving 4" end. String additional beads, then tie Bead Twist (4" from end) into same stitch where last bead was worked. Insert hook in last stitch and continue work, crocheting over ends for several stitches to secure.


MATERIALS:

Hiawatha Beads, 40 Bunches
Hiawatha Bead,Twist Art. 750, 3 spools
Steel crochet hook No. 9
Round Box Llning 4 1/2" in diameter


BOTTOM

Without beads, ch 4. Join with slip st into ring. Slipping 1 bead into place before each sc work as follows: Ist rnd - 6 sc in ring. Mark beginning of rnds. 2nd rnd - 2 sc in each st (12 sc - 6 increases). 3rd rnd - *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st. repeat from * (6 increases). 4th rnd - Increase 6 sc around (not over previous increases). Repeat 4th rnd until piece measures 4 1/2" across. Work I round even. Next rnd - Work through front loops only for turn.

SIDES

Through back loops, work 1/2" even. Next rnd - Through front loops only, without beads, sl st in each st around. Next rnd Through both loops, with beads work as follows: *2 sc in each of next 2 sts, se in next st. Repeat from * around. Insert marker. Work even through back loops until sides are 3 1/2" from marker. Next rnd - Rather tightly work sc in next st, *skip 1 st, sc in next st. Repeat from * around. Work 1" for band, decreasing if necessary to fit snugly around top of box Iining. Fasten off.

COVER

Same as Bottom until 5" across (instead of 4 1/2"). Work 1 rnd even. Work 1 rnd through front loops only for turn. Through back loops work even to I" from turn. For edging slip 4 beads (instead of 1) before each st. Last rnd - Slip 1 bead before each st. Fasten off.

HANDLES

Without beads, make 3" chain. With beads, sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch until row is 2 1/2". Join with sl st into ring careful not to twist. With beads to outside work sc tightly around for 15 1/2". Fasten off. Finishing - Pad cover with cotton batting so that beading fits snugly. Sew in place. Pad bottom of box the same way. Slip box into beading inserting several thicknesses of cotton batting around sides to pad shirred section of bag. Sew beading at top and bottom of box. Stuff handle round. Make two tabs for bottom of handle as follows: Make 2 1/2" chain, join into ring and work beading for 6 rnds. Fasten off. Draw ends of handle through tabs and sew in place as illustrated.