Quality Vintage Shit: Fancy Shell Purse Belt (1943)

MATERIALS:

  • DK Weight yarn, at least 200 yards (vintage yarn was Bucilla Strawkraft or Fleisher’s Straw-Twist; a raffia-style yarn made of rayon.)
  • #2 Steel Crochet Hook (1.75 mm (UK) or 1.95 mm (US) hook; you’ll need to match the gauge below.
  • 2 Buttons (Original pattern does not provide a size. Measure the buttonholes once you’ve made them and match buttons to that measurement.)
  • Lining Material

GAUGE: 3 patterns = 2” 

BELT:

Ch 186 [31” or desired length having a multiple of 4 plus 2] for the center of belt.

1ST ROW [RIGHT SIDE]:  1 Sc in 2nd st from hook, * sk 1 st, 3 dc in next st [1 shell], sk 1 st, 1 sc in next st *; rep between *’s to end [46 patterns].

2ND ROW:  Ch 3, turn, 1 dc in 1st sc, * 1 sc in center dc of next shell, 3 dc in next sc; rep from *, end 2 dc in last sc.

3RD ROW:  Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in 1st dc, * 3 dc in next sc, 1 sc in center dc of next shell; rep from *, end last sc in top of turning ch.  Fasten off.

4TH ROW [RIGHT SIDE]:  Beg at end of 1st row, work 1 sc in same st of foundation ch as last sc on 1st row; rep between *’s of 1st row on opposite side of foundation ch to within 5 shells of end of row, end with 1 sc.  Join a separate strand in same ch st, ch 7 loosely for buttonhole, sl st in next st, break off; then continue pattern on this ch, work to end of foundation ch.

5TH & 6TH ROW:  Like 2nd & 3rd row.  Fasten off.  Turn.

PURSE FLAP: 

Working from wrong side, counting from buttonhole end, sk 34 shells, work 1 shell in sc 12 shells from end; continue pattern until there are 7 shells in this row.  Turn, sk 1 st, 1 sl st in each of 2 dc, 1 sl st in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in same sc, continue pattern for 5 more shells. 

Rep last row with 1 shell less each row until 1 shell remains, 1 sc in same st as shell.  Fasten off.

PURSE: 

Ch 30. 

Work 7 patterns as for 1st 3 rows of belt. 

Rep 2nd & 3rd row until 6 ½” from beg.  Fasten off. 

Fold over the last 2 ¾”, leaving 3 ¾” for back of purse.  Sew seams.

FINISHING: 

Fold buttonhole end & sew into a point. 

Line belt & purse. 

Sew back of purse under the flap on center line of belt. 

Steam lightly. 

Sew buttons as illustrated.