Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 138, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1915 — TO MAKE PRETTY BAG [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TO MAKE PRETTY BAG

ONE THAT WILL BE ABLE FOR MANY YEARS. Ability to Do Only ■ Plain Knitting Stitch la Necessary—May Bs Made of Black or Colored Silk. ' I saw a knitted, beaded bag which the owner told me was at least twen-ty-five years old. It was so pretty but so simple that any girl who knows how to do the plain knitting stitch could make one like it. This bag was made entirely in black, but one could use a colored silk with white beads, or beads in gold or silver. One needs a spool of knitting silk, a pair of steel needles and several bunches of beads. To make the bag, cast on say one hundred and eight stitches, and. knit back the second row plain. Break off the silk and thread on about three feet of beads, choosing those that go through the silk easily but not loosely. If the holes are too small, the beads will wear the silk, while, if loose, they will stand away from the silk. Tie the spool end and the loose end of the silk together at end of second row and start the third row. Knit off the first two stitches and then knit a bead into every stitch all the way across except the two end stitches. These are plain. The fourth row is knitted plain all the way back. The fifth row: Knit in the beads as the third row, and come back plain. Then go on knitting alternate plain and beaded rows until the piece of work is half its width. It is impossible to give the exact number of inches, because some knit tighter than others, but when the piece is folded once it should be a square. Also, do not forget to leave two rows of plain stitches at each end and two rows of plain knitting at the beginning and the end of v the work. This

plain, narrow strip makes the seams (when the bag is sewed up) strong, flat and firm. The bottom can be finished with a fringe of beads. Cut the lining to fit, and catch it in with the bag seams. This will keep the lining from slipping. At the top of the bag make a heading of silk, brocade or satin, about three Inches deep to draw strings of ribbon. Any size bag may be made to suit the taste of the knitter. If a larger or a smaller bag than the one described is desired, set on less or more stitches and knit until the evork doubled makes a square. More than three feet of beads will be necessary, of course, but one must always take care to get the join of the silk at one end, not when working the row across. Then the loose snds or knots can be taken into the seam. I fancy the knots which come so frequently prevent the knitting being done on three needles, as one would form a stocking, going around and around until the bag

were the desired length. This would be quite as easy .as knitting with two needles, and wourekalso do away with the seam down the side. *

Pretty Silk Handbag.