Clam Shell Purse

5 tubes "Raphael Brand" Gimp (Cebelia #10 can be substituted),
Lining, one 7" Oval Hinge Frame, Link Handle.

This pattern is a vintage pattern and may use vintage terms. Although this pattern is from a print publication it has not been recently tested.

STITCH: Use Single Crochet and Shell Stitch throughout.

SHELL STITCH: 6 Treble Crochets in same stitch make one Shell
Stitch. To increase Shell make 8 and 10 Treble Crochets in same
stitch.

NOTE: When making Shells pick up back loop only. When making
Single Crochets pick up both loops on foundation chain only and go
directly through the center of Shells.

TO START: Ch 18.

lst row: Make 6 tr c's in sixth ch from hook, * skip 2 chs 1 sc in next
ch, skip 2 chs, 6 tr c's in next ch and repeat from * to end of row
ending with 6 tr c's in last ch (3 shells in row).

2nd to 7th row: Ch 3, turn, Make 6 tr c's in last tr c of last shelf of
previous row, 1 sc in center of same shell, * 6 tr c's in next sc, 1 sc in
center of next shell and repeat from * to end of row ending with 6 tr
c's in last tr c of first shell of previous row.

8th and 9th rows: Work same as 2nd row but make 8 tr c's for each
shell.

10th row: Work same as 2nd row but make 10 tr c's for each shell.

1lth row: Ch 3, turn. Make 1 sc in center of first shell of previous row
* 10 tr c's in next sc, 1 sc in center of next shell and repeat from * to
end of row ending with 1 sc in center of last shell of previous row (11
shells in row).

l2th row: Ch 3. turn. * Make 10 tr c's in sc of previous row, 1 sc in
center of next shell and repeat from * to end of row ending with 10 tr
c's in last sc of previous row (12 shells in row).

13th to 21st row: Alternate 11th and l2th rows respectively.

22nd row: Ch 3, turn. Make 1 sc in center of first shell of previous
row (this is a decrease), * 10 tr c's in next sc, 1 sc in center of next
shell and repeat from * to end of row ending with 1 sc in center of last
shell of previous row (10 shells).

23rd to 26th row: Work same as 22nd row decreasing 1 shell at
beginning and end of each row. (There will be 6 shells left in the 26th
row.) End off. Make other side of bag to correspond, join both sides
with sc's on wrong side starting and ending at the 10th row. (To join,
make a sc in center of each shell picking up the 2 loops only at end of
the tr c or sc with 4 chs between.) Do not end off. Make foundation
top. End off. Sew in lining. Sew bag to frame. Attach handle to frame.

FOUNDATION TOP: Turn bag on right side.

lst row: Make 1 sc in each st around entire top of bag.

2nd row: Make 1 sc in each st of previous row picking up back loop
only.

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