RAFFIA CLUTCH BAG

INSTRUCTIONS

Special Abbreviations

Fptr = Front post treble: work a tr around the stem of the specified st, from the front and from right to left.

Pop = Popcorn st: work 4tr in specified st, remove hook from lp, insert hook through top of 1st tr and through lp just dropped, draw lp through top of first tr, 1ch.

CLUTCH

Using 3.50mm hook, work 77ch.

1st row - Miss 3ch (counts as 1tr), 1tr in each ch to last ch, 7tr in last ch, rotate to work along other side of ch, 1tr in each ch to end, turn ... 155 sts.

2nd row - 2ch (does not count as a st here and throughout), 1tr in same st, 1tr in each of next 72 sts, 2tr in each of next 4 sts, 3tr in next st, 2tr in each of next 4 sts, 1tr in each st to end, turn ... 165 sts.

3rd row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1tr in each of next 75 sts, (pop in next st, 2tr in next st) 6 times, pop in next st, 1tr in each st to end, turn ... 171 sts.

4th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1fptr around each of next 75 sts, (2htr in next st, 1fptr around each of next 2 sts) 3 times, 1htr in next st, (1fptr in each of next 2 sts, 2htr in next st) 3 times, 1fptr in each st to last st, 1tr in last st, turn ... 177 sts.

5th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1tr in each of next 75 sts, (pop in next st, 1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st) 3 times, pop in next st, (1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, pop in next st) 3 times, 1tr in each st to end, turn ... 183 sts.

6th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1fptr around each of next 75 sts, (2htr in next st, 1fptr around each of next 4 sts) 3 times, 1htr in next st, (1fptr in each of next 4 sts, 2htr in next st) 3 times, 1fptr in each st to last st, 1tr in last st, turn ... 189 sts.

7th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1tr in each of next 75 sts, (pop in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts) 3 times, pop in next st, (1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, pop in next st) 3 times, 1tr in each st to end, turn ... 195 sts.

8th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1fptr around each of next 75 sts, (2htr in next st, 1fptr around each of next 6 sts) 3 times, 1htr in next st, (1fptr in each of next 6 sts, 2htr in next st) 3 times, 1fptr in each st to last st, 1tr in last st, turn ... 201 sts.

9th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1tr in each of next 75 sts, (pop in next st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts) 3 times, pop in next st, (1tr in each of next 3 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 3 sts, pop in next st) 3 times, 1tr in each st to end, turn ... 207 sts.

10th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1fptr around each of next 75 sts, (2htr in next st, 1fptr around each of next 8 sts) twice, 2htr in next st, 1fptr around each of next 6 sts, 5ch, miss next 5 sts, 1fptr around each of next 6 sts, 2htr in next st, (1fptr in each of next 8 sts, 2htr in next st) twice, 1fptr in each st to last st, 1tr in last st, turn ... 213 sts.

11th row - 2ch, 1tr in same st, 1tr in each of next 75 sts, (pop in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts) twice, pop in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, (2tr, pop, 2tr) in 5ch sp, 1tr in each of next 2 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, pop in next st, (1tr in each of next 4 sts, 2tr in next st, 1tr in each of next 4 sts, pop in next st) twice, 1tr in each st to end, do not turn ... 219 sts.

Rotate to work across straight (side) edge

12th row - Work 54dc evenly across edge, turn.

13th row - 1ch (does not count as a stitch here and throughout), 1dc in same and each st across, turn.

14th - 15th rows - Rep 13th row.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Sew in ends. Block work by pinning to shape on a flat, padded surface: slowly pass a steaming iron about 2cm above work (do not put iron directly on to raffia). Leave to cool and dry. Make a fold about 19cm from straight edge, wrong sides together, and sew sides together with raffia, using whip st. Fold flap over front to determine where to sew toggle, and attach with raffia. Cut 36 x 10cm lengths of raffia. Using crochet hook and four lengths tog, knot along flap edge as pictured, teasing out ends into fan shapes.