Creating a Colorful Tapestry Crochet Tote Bag
You’ll Need:
2 skeins Lion Brand Rewind in Moto Jacket (150) for color A;
2 skeins Lion Brand Rewind in Geige (123) for color B;
Crochet hook 6.5 mm;
Stitch marker;
Tapestry needle.
Size
Width: 36cm;
Length: 33cm;
Strap length: 61cm.
Stitches Control
12 stitches + 9.5 rows = 10 x 10 cm in tapestry single crochet through the back loop.
Notes
1. Tote is worked using tapestry crochet with two strands of yarn held together throughout. To do so, lay a double strand of the unused color on top of the previous round and work over it with two strands of the current color. In rounds where only one color is used, work over a double strand of the same color to keep thickness consistent. To work with two strands held together, reach into the center of the ball and pull out the middle end to hold it together with the outer end.
2. To change color, work the last yarn over of the previous stitch in the new color.
3. The base of the bag is worked in un-joined single crochet rounds, while the body of the bag is worked in joined rounds of single crochet in the back loop only using the yarn over/yarn under technique, where you will yarn under instead of yarn over before drawing through the two loops on your hook to close each stitch, which produces less of a slant and allows the stitches to stack up vertically.
4. Each round of base increases 3 stitches at either end (total of 6 stitches per round), and body increases 3 stitches at either end (total of 6 stitches) every 6 rounds. Increases are staggered to maintain the round shape.
Instructions
Base
With two strands of color A held together, chain 21.
Round 1: Working over 2 strands of color A and starting in the 2nd chain from the hook, single crochet to the end of the row, single crochet twice more into the end chain (3 stitches total in this chain), continue around the other side of the chain starting in the back of the next chain, single crochet to the end of the round, single crochet twice into the starting chain (3 stitches total in this chain). Do not join here or throughout base rounds. Place marker for beginning of round. (42 stitches)
Round 2: 2 single crochets in 1st stitch, single crochet 18, 2 single crochets in each of the next 3 stitches, single crochet 18, 2 single crochets in last 2 stitches. (48 stitches)
Round 3: 2 single crochets in 1st stitch, single crochet 19, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next stitch) three times, single crochet 18, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next stitch) twice. (54 stitches)
Round 4: Single crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 20, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 2 stitches) twice, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 20, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 single crochets in last stitch. (60 stitches)
Round 5: Single crochet in 1st stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 21, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 3 stitches) twice, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 21, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 3, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in last 2 stitches. (66 stitches)
Round 6: Single crochet 4, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 22, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in next 4 stitches) twice, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 22, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 4, 2 single crochets in last stitch. (72 stitches)
Round 7: Single crochet in 1st stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 23, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 5) twice, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 23, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 5, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet 4. (78 stitches)
Body (continued from base)
Cut all strands of color A. Change to color B (still double stranded) and work over 2 strands of color B as well. From this point on, when working the single crochet in the back loop, use the yarn over/yarn under technique described above to keep stitches stacked on top of one another. Increases only happen at each end while center 18 stitches on front and back of bag remain straight, and colorwork with tapestry crochet begins. Refer to color chart for color changes. After round 13, move markers up each round to keep track of center 18 stitches on front and back.
Round 8: Single crochet in back loop around, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Rounds 9-12: Chain 1 and starting in the same stitch as join here and throughout body rounds, single crochet in back loop around, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 13: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop 4, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 2, place marker, single crochet in back loop 18, place marker, single crochet in back loop 4, (2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 6) twice, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 2, place marker, single crochet in back loop 18, place marker, single crochet in back loop 4, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 6, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 2, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join. (84 stitches)
Begin color chart, worked over the 18 center stitches on front and back of bag. Cut two strands of color B that you are working over and begin working over 2 strands of color A.
Rounds 14-18: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 19: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop 7, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, (single crochet in back loop 7, 2 single crochets in next stitch) 3 times, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, (single crochet in back loop 7, 2 single crochets in next stitch) twice, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join. (90 stitches)
Rounds 20-24: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 25: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop 3, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 5, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop 3, 2 single crochets in next stitch, (single crochet in back loop 8, 2 single crochets in next stitch) twice, single crochet in back loop 5, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop 3, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 8, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 5, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join. (96 stitches)
Rounds 26-30: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 31: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop in 1st stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 8, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop in next stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch, (single crochet in back loop 9, 2 single crochets in next stitch) twice, single crochet in back loop 8, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop in next stitch, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 9, 2 single crochets in next stitch, single crochet in back loop 8, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join. (102 stitches)
Cut all strands of color B. Change to color A and work over 2 strands of color A as well.
Rounds 32-34: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, single crochet in back loop across next 18 stitches changing colors as indicated by chart to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 35: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, chain 60, skip 18 to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, chain 60, skip 18 to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 36: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, single crochet in each chain of strap to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, single crochet in each chain of second strap to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Round 37: Chain 1, single crochet in back loop to marker, then single crochet tightly around the entire handle (rather than into the stitches) approximately 100 times to next marker, single crochet in back loop to next marker, single crochet tightly around the entire second handle approximately 100 times to next marker, single crochet in back loop to end of round, slip stitch to 1st single crochet of round to join.
Secure and weave in all ends.
Tassels (Make 1 of Each Color)
Cut four 46cm lengths, two 30cm lengths, and thirty 36cm lengths of yarn. Tie the four 46cm lengths together at one end, separate them into 2 groups of 2 strands, twist each group counter-clockwise, then twist the two groups together clockwise. Tie together at the bottom end, then tie the ends together, trimming off the knotted ends. Fold the thirty 36cm lengths of yarn over the knot join of the cord, then tie the cord in an overhand knot to secure it to the folded bundle. Tie crosswise around the folded bundle approximately 2.5cm below the top of the fold with the remaining 30cm lengths. Wrap the tails of the ties around and around the bundle and then thread them inside and down the middle of the bundle with a tapestry needle. Trim tassel to desired length. Loop tassel through its cord to attach it to one of the bag handles.