Girly Tote

I think I am going to give this pattern a try. I know a few little girls that might like one.



FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:

Tote measures approximately 9"/23cm wide x 9 1/4"/23.5cm tall x 1 1/4"/3cm deep

MATERIALS

Caron International's Simply Soft Collection (100% Acrylic): 1 1/2 oz (A), 1 1/2 oz (B), 1 1/2 oz (C), 1 1/2 oz (D), 1 1/2 oz (E)

Shown in: #0015 Strawberry (A); #0016 Melon (B); #0017 Lemon (C); #0003 Pistachio (D); #0004 Blueberry (E)

One size US G-7 (4.5mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.

Pins

Pom-pon maker for 2"/5cm pom-pons

Heavy cardboard—about 8 1/2 x 1 1/4"/21.5 x 3cm (for bottom of bag) optional

Yarn needle
GAUGE
In single crochet, 15 sts and 18 rows = 4"/10cm.

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st)

SPECIAL TERMS

rev sc (reverse single crochet) Work single crochet in opposite direction by inserting hook in next stitch (to the right if right-handed, and to the left if left-handed), yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together—Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, (2 loops on hook), insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

NOTE

To change color, work last stitch of old color to last yarn over; yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Fasten off old color. Proceed with new color.

FRONT

With E, ch 35.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—34 sc.

Rows 2–8: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn; change to B in last sc of Row 8.

Rows 9–16: With B, ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn; change to D in last sc of Row 16.

Rows 17–24: With D, ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn; change to A in last sc of Row 24.

Rows 25-32: With A, ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn; change to C in last sc of Row 32.

Rows 33–40: With C, ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Fasten off.

BACK

Make same as Front.

GUSSET (forms sides and bottom of Tote)

With A, ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—5 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures about 29"/73.5cm from beginning. Fasten off. Note: Gusset should be long enough to be sewn to one side edge of front, across bottom edge of front, and up other side edge of front.

FLAP CLOSURE

With A, ch 11.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—10 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures about 6"/12.5cm from beginning.

Next Row (decrease row): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in each sc across to last 2 sc, sc2tog, turn—8 sc.

Repeat decrease row 3 more times, until there are only 2 sc remaining.

Last Row: Ch 1, sc2tog, ch 15, sl st in sc2tog just made (for loop)—1 sc, and 1 ch-15 loop.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block pieces lightly, if needed to achieve measurements.

Assembly: With RS together, pin edges of gusset to one side edge of front, across bottom edge of front, and up other side edge of front. Working from WS, join A with sl st in top corner, working through both thicknesses, sl st evenly spaced down side edge, across bottom edge, and up other side edge, to join one long edge of gusset to front. Repeat to join other long edge of gusset to back. Turn tote right side out. Place piece of heavy cardboard inside bottom of tote (optional).

Top Edging

With RS facing, join A with sl st in any top corner, to begin working across top of gusset.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly spaced around top opening; join with sl st in first sc, do not turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, rev sc in each sc around; join with sl st in first st. Do not fasten off.

Handle

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first 5 sts (work over the rev sc sts into the sc sts of gusset below), turn; leave remaining sts unworked.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn—5 sc.

Repeat Row 2 until handle measures 20"/51cm, or desired length. Do not fasten off.

Joining Row: Hold end of handle against 5 sts at top of gusset on other top edge of tote, working through both thicknesses (and over the rev sc sts into the sc sts of gusset), sc across to join end of handle to other side of top of tote. Fasten off.

Attach Flap Closure: Sew short, straight edge of flap closure to center, top of RS of back, just below the round of rev sc.

pom-pons (make 4 – 1 each with B, C, D, and E)

Following pom-pon maker directions, make four 2"/10cm pom-pons, 1 each with B, C, D, and E. Sew E-color pom-pon 1 1/2"/4cm from (sewn) straight edge of flap closure, B-color pom-pon 2 1/2"/6.5cm from E-color pom-pon, and C-color pom-pon 2 1/2"/6.5cm from B-color pom-pon. Sew D-color pom-pon to front of tote, just above E-color stripe. Use ch-15 loop on flap closure to close tote.