Cotton Stripes Tote Bag

MEASUREMENT
Approx 15 ins [38 cm] wide x 12 ins [30.5 cm] high, excluding handles.

MATERIALS

• Bernat® Handicrafter (100 g/3.5 oz; 152 m/172 yds) (00732 Pinky Stripes) 490 m/540 yds
• Size 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 4 grommets with opening approx ½ inch [1 cm].

GAUGE: 16 sc and 17 rows = 4 ins [10 cm].

Pattern:
Note: Turning ch 2 at beg of row does not count as hdc.
Body of Bag
Ch 56.
**1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 55 sc.
2nd row: Ch 2. Working through back loops only, 1 hdc in each st across. Turn.
3rd row: With B, ch 2. Working through back loops only, 1 hdc in each st across. Turn.**
Rep last row for pat until work from beg measures 5 ins [12.5 cm], ending with a WS row.
Next row: (RS). (Eyelet row). Ch 2. Working through back loops only, 1 hdc in each of first 5 hdc. Ch 1. Miss next hdc. 1 hdc in each of next 11 hdc. Ch 1. Miss next hdc. Working through back loops only, 1 hdc in each hdc to end of row. Turn. 55 sts.
Cont in pat until work from beg measures 10 ins [25.5 cm], ending with a WS row. Place marker at end of last row.
Work Eyelet row once more.
Cont in pat until work from marked row measures 14 ins [35.5 cm], ending with a WS row. Place marker at end of last row.
Work Eyelet row once more.
Cont in pat until work from last marked row measures 5 ins [12.5 cm], ending with a WS row.
Work Eyelet row once more. Place marker at end of last row.
Cont in pat until work from last marked row measures 9 ins [23 cm], ending with a WS row. Remove markers.
Measuring from foundation ch, place markers on left edge of Body at beg of 2nd row of pat at approx 15, 19 and 34 ins [38, 48 and 86.5 cm].
Join Body: With WS tog, place foundation ch behind last row. Working through both thicknesses, sl st in each st across.
Fasten off.
Base: Ch 64.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch to end of chain. 63 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. Rep last row until work from beg measures 4 ins [10 cm], ending with a WS row. Do not fasten off.
Join Base: With WS tog, place marked edge of Body behind Base, aligning markers and joining row with corners of Base. Ch 1. Working through both thicknesses, work 1 rnd of sc evenly around Base. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Handles (make 2).
Ch 96.
1st row: (RS). 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch across. Turn. 94 hdc.
2nd row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc across. Turn. Rep last row once more. Fold handles lengthwise. Working through both thicknesses, Ch 1. 1 sc in each st to end of row. Fasten off.
Fold top edge to align eyelets. Apply grommets in eyelets following manufacturer’s directions. Knot one end of Handle.
Thread other end of Handle through both grommets on one side of Bag and knot end as shown in picture. Rep for other Handle.