CHAPTER XIX MARY MARIE’S SCHOOL BAG
AFTER everybody had admired the little slippers, the Yarn Baby said, “If Mary Marie goes to kindergarten, she should have a little school-bag to carry her pictures and books in, I think.”
“Wouldn’t that be splendid!” cried Mary Frances. “What kind of yarn shall I use?”
“Let me look into the box,” replied Wooley Ball, rolling over to the end of the sewing table and peeping over the edge of the chest, “Oh, there is the very thing to use—ecru crochet cotton. Cotton will wear much better than wool for a bag.” As Mary Frances picked up the ball, the Yarn Baby began to give the directions for making—
Doll’s Crocheted Book Bag
Material: Ecru crochet cotton (mercerized).
Steel hook No. 7.
Directions:[F]
1. Make 26 chain stitches.
2. Put 1 double crochet stitch into the fourth chain stitch from the needle.
3. Put 1 double crochet into the fifth chain stitch.
4. Put 1 double crochet stitch into the sixth chain.
5. Make 2 chain stitches.
6. Skip 2 chain stitches in the first row, and put 1 double crochet into the next chain stitch; that is, into the third chain stitch from the last double crochet stitch which you made.
7. Put a double crochet in each of the next 2 chain stitches.
8. Repeat directions No. 5, 6, and 7 to end of chain.
9. Make 5 chain stitches to use in turning.
10. Put 3 double crochet stitches into the first space of the row just made.
11. Make 2 chain stitches.
12. Continue making clusters of 3 double crochets in each space with 2 chains between—to end of row. The last stitch in the row will be 1 double crochet taken into the top of the 3 chain stitches which were used in turning the row below.
13. Continue making rows like these two until there are 6 rows. This makes one side of the bag.
14. Taking up the threads on the other side of the first row of chain stitches which you made, make other side of bag like first side. (See picture below.)
15. Fold the two sides of bag together, along the row of chain stitches first made, and fasten them together with single crochet stitches along the edge, catching each side.
16. Make 1 row of single crochet all around the top of the bag.
To Make the Handle
1. At the top of the first cluster of double crochet stitches from the side, make 2 single crochet stitches. (See picture, page 118.)
2. Make 1 chain stitch to use in turning.
3. Make 2 single crochet stitches.
4. Continue directions Nos. 1 and 2 until handle is 2½ inches long. Fasten the end of handle into the top of the first cluster of double crochet stitches from the other side of the bag, using slip stitch.
5. Make another handle on opposite side of bag in same way.
Note.—In fastening ends of threads, be sure to pull the last stitch very tight before cutting off the ends.
When Mary Frances had finished making the little bag, she hung it on the dolly’s arm.
“Doe to tool! Doe to tool, now!” cried Mary Marie.
“Not in your bathrobe and slippers, darling!”
“Den what s’all I do?” asked Mary Marie. “I’se tired of ball! Wish I had a dolly!”