trimmed
is added at the sides, the piece itself is not so wide as that already
given. Make a chain of 268 stitches, and work on one row in d.c.

The second is also worked in d.c., but diminished two squares at each
end, thus: begin on the second d.c. stitch, slip 2, s.c. 2, d.c. till
you come to within five of the end, then s.c. 2, slip 2.

Decrease the next and all succeeding rows one square at each end, by
working on the first four d.c. stitches of the row 1 slip, 2 s.c., 1
d.c., after which three more d.c., the other end being made to
correspond.

The row succeeding the two of d.c. is entirely in open square crochet,
except these 7 stitches at the ends.

4th row: (_b_) 1 slip, 2 s.c., 4 d.c., 31 open squares, 3 close, 4
open, (_a_) 3 close. (Observe that in this and all the following rows,
the first open square comes over the second of the preceding line. The
first and last 7 stitches are not mentioned, as they occur in every
row).

5th: (_b_) 28 open, 2 close, 3 open, 1 close, 2 open, 1 close, (_a_) 3
open.

6th: (_b_) 24 open, 3 close, 6 open, 1 close, 1 open, 1 close, (_a_) 3
open.

7th: (_b_) 23 open, 1 close, 9 open, 1 close, 1 open, (_a_) 3 close.

8th: 21 open, 1 close, 27 open, 1 close, 21 open.

9th: Here the initial begins. I have chosen an M as being a common
letter; any other may be substituted; care being taken to place it in
the exact centre of the space indicated between the brackets. 19 open,
1 close, [7 open, 1 close, 2 open, 2 close, 3 open, 3 close, 11 open,]
1 close, 19 open.

10th: 12 open, 3 close, 3 open, 1 close, [8 open, 3 close, 1 open, 1
close, 1 open, 2 close, 2 open, 1 close, 10 open,] 1 close, 3 open, 3
close, 12 open.

11th: 10 open, 1 close, 3 open, 1 close, 1 open, 1 close, [10 open, 1
close, X 3 open, 2 close, X twice, 10 open,] 1 close, 1 open, 1 close,
3 open, 1 close, 10 open.

12th: 9 open, X 1 close, 2 open, X twice, 1 close, [10 open, 2 close,
2 open, 2 close, 1 open, 1 close, 1 open, 3 close, 9 open,] 1 close, *
2 open, 1 close, * twice, 9 open.

13th: 9 open, 1 close, 3 open, 1 close, [11 open, 2 close, 2 open, 3
close, 2 open, 2 close, 11 open,] 1 close, 3 open, 1 close, 9 open.

14th: 9 open, 3 close, [12 open, X 2 close, 2 open, X twice, 3 close,
12 open,] 3 close, 9 open.

15th: 8 open, 3 close, [12 open, 2 close, 1 open, 3 close, 2 open, 2
close, 1 open, 1 close, 11 open,] 3 close, 8 open.

16th: 6 open, 1 close, 3 open, 1 close, [11 open, X 2 close