White Shoulder Strap Bag Pattern

Materials Required:
AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY The Famous "PURITAN" CROCHET COTTON, Article 40 or
"DE LUXE" QUALITY CROCHET COTTON, Article 346
6 balls White or color desired
½ yd. Buckram
½ yd. Lining
1 yd. 1 inch grosgrain ribbon
1 Pair Knitting Needles No. 1

Bag is worked with a double strand of thread throughout.

FRONT SECTION: Cast on 96 sts.
1st Row—K 2, P 2, * K 4, P 8, K 4, P 2, repeat from * across row, ending with K 2.
2nd Row—P 2, K 2, * P 4 (purl gore), K 8, P 4 (purl gore), K 2, repeat from * across row ending with P 2.
3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th Rows—Same as 1st row.
4th, 6th and 8th Rows—Same as 2nd row.
10th Row—P 2, K 2, * P 4, slip the next 2 sts on a double pointed needle and hold in back of work, K next 2 sts, then K the 2 sts from double pointed needle, slip the next 2 sts on a double pointed needle and hold in front of work, K next 2 sts, then K 2 sts from double pointed needle, P 4, K 2, repeat from * across row ending with P 2.
Repeat these 10 rows for pattern. Work in pattern until there are 4 cable twists completed.
Next Row—Decrease 1 st on each side in first and last purl gores leaving only 3 sts in these gores.
Work next 9 rows even in pattern.
Next Row—K 2, P 2, K 3, P 8, K 1, K 2 tog (decrease), K 1, P 2, K 1, K 2 tog, K 1, * P 8, K 4, P 2, K 4, repeat from * once, P 8, K 1, K 2 tog, K 1, P 2, K 1, K 2 tog, K 1, P 8, K 3, P 2, K 2. Work next 9 rows even in pattern having only 3 purl sts on the decreasing purl gores.
Next Row—Decrease 1 st in each of the 4 center purl gores, this leaves 3 sts in each purl gore across row, then continue in pattern until piece measures 11 inches, bind off.

BACK SECTION: Work in same manner as front section until piece measures 11 inches, then start flap. Decrease 1 st at beginning and end of every 4th row 9 times. Work 2 rows even in pattern. If buttonhole is desired, work next 2 rows as follows:
Next Row—Work even in pattern to center cable, bind off next 8 sts for buttonhole, work remainder of row in pattern.
Next Row—Decrease 1 st at beginning and end of row and cast on 8 sts over the bound off sts for buttonhole. If buttonhole is omitted, work the 2 rows in pattern de­creasing 1 st at beginning and end of 2nd row.
Next 3 Rows—Work even in pattern.
Next Row—Decrease 1 st at beginning and end of row.
Next 3 Rows—Work even in pattern.
Next 7 Rows—Decrease 1 st at beginning and end of each row.
Next Row—Bind off remaining 50 sts.

GUSSET: Cast on 24 sts and work in pattern same as on bag, increasing 1 st at beginning and end of each row until there are 52 sts on needle. Work even in pattern until 9 cable twists are completed. Bind off on 2nd row of pattern. Work another gusset in same manner.

FINISHING: Block each section. Cut buckram ¼ inch smaller than sections. Cut lining same size as bag sections. Sew front and back section of bag together. Sew gussets in position. Sew buckram sections together and insert in bag. Baste knitted section over buckram to hold in position. Sew lining together in same manner as buckram. Place in bag, turn under raw edges and sew to knitted section. Sew 2 plaits on each gusset section. Finish buttonhole and sew button in position.

Shoulder Strap: Cast on 8 sts, and work as follows:
1st and 2nd Rows: * K 2, P 2, repeat from * across each row.
3rd and 4th Rows: * P 2, K 2, repeat from * across each row.
Repeat these 4 rows until strap measures 30 inches, bind off. Face with ribbon and sew to bag as illustrated.