PARASOL literally means "for the sun" and parasols date from the times when no lady of any "quality" would dream of allowing the sun to touch her face for fear of getting a suntan - only the working classes were tanned! This little parasol makes a nice gift and can be filled with sweets (sugared almonds look nice), pot-pourri, lavender etc. To make it you need a ladies handkerchief (lace trimmed looks nice when finished), a piece of dowelling - or a pencil will do, a couple of yards of narrow ribbon in a toning colour, some Copydex or a similar fabric glue, and straight (dressmakers) pins. Bind the pencil/dowel with the ribbon, glueing it at the TOp and BOTTOM only, and put aside to dry thoroughly. Fold the hankie in half and then half again (Fig. 2), insert the covered "handle" with one end in the centre of the hankie, keeping it still folded (see Fig. 3) and secure temporarily with a single pin. Secure the four points of the hankie to the handle by pushing straight pins in parallel to the handle, fastening the hankie to the ribbon, then catch the centre of the "pockets" so formed to the handle too - see Fig. 4. Decorate the parasol with a ribbon bow on the handle, and fill the pockets with whatever you like.