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Red and White Periwinkle Handkerchief Edging #819 (1951): vintage crochet pattern
Five-petal double-treble flowers sewn in a handkerchief corner, with a three-row loop, cluster and picot border worked around the hem. Originally published as "Red & White Periwinkle Edging" in Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81) by American Thread Company in 1951, it is now in the public domain.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed · Editorial policy
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed September 14, 2026 under our editorial policy · pattern testing in progress
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill level | Intermediate |
| Yarn weight | Lace (#0) |
| Yardage | 1 ball each colour (as printed; yardage not given) |
| Hook | 0.85 mm |
| Gauge | Not given in the original. Suggestion: the ch-5 loops of the first border row should sit about ¼ in (6 mm) apart without pulling the hem. |
| Finished size | Not given in the original; loops are spaced about ¼ in (6 mm) apart around a standard handkerchief. |
| Time | about 3 hours |
Materials
- Fine crochet cotton (about size 70–80), white and bright red — check the ball band for yardage
- 0.85 mm steel crochet hook
- A handkerchief
- Hook: Start with a 0.85 mm steel hook (the original No. 13) and change size to match the gauge
Abbreviations (US terms)
Notes before you start
- Source: "Red & White Periwinkle Edging" (#819), Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81), American Thread Company, 1951. Public domain in the USA.
- As printed — materials: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY “STAR” TATTING CROCHET, Article 25; 1 ball each White and Bright Red; 1 Handkerchief; Steel crochet hook No. 13. Gauge: Not given.
- Modernisation note: Abbreviations respelled to modern US style using the leaflet's own abbreviation table: s c → sc, s d c (short double crochet) → hdc, d c → dc, tr c → tr, d tr c → dtr; “thread over” → “yarn over”. Stitches, order and counts are unchanged.
- Modernisation note: Instructions split into one row, round or step per line; the original prints them as running paragraphs.
- Modernisation note: Hook conversion: the leaflet uses the mid-century US steel hook numbering; the metric size given is the usual modern equivalent (No. 7 ≈ 1.65 mm, No. 11 ≈ 1.1 mm, No. 12 ≈ 1.0 mm, No. 13 ≈ 0.85 mm). Old hooks varied — match the gauge suggestion rather than the number.
- Modernisation note: Thread: the original “Star” Tatting Crochet (Article 25) is a fine mercerised cotton with no size printed; a modern fine crochet cotton (around size 70–80) is the closest match. Check your ball band for yardage.
- Modernisation note: “3 d tr c (3 times over hook)” is respelled “3 dtr (3 times over hook)” — the modern US double treble, yarn over 3 times.
- Modernisation note: Finishing steps are our addition.
Flowers
- With Red ch 5, join to form a ring, ch 1 and work 10 sc in ring, join, drop Red.
- Attach White in 1st sc, * ch 4, 3 dtr (3 times over hook) in same space, 3 dtr in next sc, ch 4, sl st in same space, sl st in next sc, repeat from * 4 times, cut White thread.
- Next Row—Pick up Red, ch 4, 1 sc in each of the 6 dtr of 1st petal, ch 4, sl st in 1st row between petals, * ch 4, 1 sc in each of the 6 dtr of next petal, ch 4, sl st in 1st row between petals, repeat from * 3 times, cut thread.
- Work a 2nd flower joining center of one petal to center of any petal of 1st flower in last row. Work a 3rd flower joining to 2nd flower in same manner leaving 1 petal free at lower edge and 2 petals at outside edge. Work a 4th flower same as 1st flower.
- Sew the 3 flowers in corner as illustrated leaving 2 entire petals of side flowers extend over the hem of handkerchief. Sew 4th flower between the 2 upper flowers as illustrated.
Continue this pattern
The rest of the Red and White Periwinkle Handkerchief Edging #819 (1951) pattern is in the Vintage Crochet Edgings & Trims
Still to come in the full pattern:
- Border
- Finishing
Included with 18 patterns for $9 — $0.50 per pattern.
Errata
No corrections have been published for this pattern. Found a mistake? Tell us and we will log the fix here with a date.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Red & White Periwinkle Edging pattern from?
It was published as "Red & White Periwinkle Edging" in Edgings: crocheted, tatted, hair pin lace (Star Book No. 81) by American Thread Company in 1951. The publication is in the public domain in the United States; this version is transcribed and modernised by crochetpatterns.io.
What yarn or thread do I need for the Red & White Periwinkle Edging?
Fine tatting crochet cotton (size not printed; about size 70–80). The original uses 1 ball each colour; check your ball band.
What hook should I use?
Start with a 0.85 mm steel hook (the original No. 13) and change size to match the gauge Gauge: Not given in the original. Suggestion: the ch-5 loops of the first border row should sit about ¼ in (6 mm) apart without pulling the hem.
