Purses, Bags & Totes Project of the Month: August

Trendy Tweed Tote

Design by Katherine Eng

Our roomy multipurpose tote worked in rich jewel-tone colors provides ample storage space for carry-along essentials. It’s just right for everything from books to a favorite needlework project.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Finished Size
18 x 13 inches

Materials

• Lion Brand Homespun or bulky (chunky) weight acrylic/polyester yarn (6 oz/185 yds/170g per skein): 2 skeins #338 nouveau (A)
• Lion Brand Thick and Quick or super bulky (super chunky) weight acrylic/rayon chenille yarn (100 yds per skein): 2 skeins #189 wine (B); 2 skeins #107 periwinkle (C)
• Size H/8/5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• 1 3/8-inch to 1 1/2-inch in diameter button
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
With 1 strand A and 1 strand B or 1 strand A and 1 strand C held tog: 4 sc = 1 1/2 inches; 2 rows = 1 inch

Pattern Note
Centerpiece is worked in vertical rows from center out to each side. Tote is worked with two strands held together throughout. To change one of two colors being worked, work last stitch before color change until last two loops before final yarn over remains on hook, drop color not to be worked on wrong side, place next color over hook with other color in use, yarn over, complete stitch.

Tote
Centerpiece
First Half
Row 1 (RS): With 1 strand A and 1 strand B held tog, ch 60, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (59 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, [ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc] rep across, dropping B and adding C in last sc, turn.
Row 3: Sc in each sc and ch-1 sp across, ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, [ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next sc] rep across, turn.
Rows 5-8: Rep rows 3 and 4 twice, dropping C and adding B in last sc of row 8, turn.
Rows 9-12: Rep rows 3 and 4 twice with A and B, dropping B and adding C in last sc of Row 12, turn.
Rows 13-18: Rep rows 3-8; at end of row 18, do not change to B. Fasten off both colors.

Second Half
Row 1: With RS facing, working in rem lps of foundation ch of First Half, join 1 strand A and 1 strand B held tog with a sl st in first rem lp, ch 1, sc in same ch, sc in each rem ch across, turn.
Rows 2-18: Rep rows 2-18 of First Half.

Side Piece (make 2)
Row 1 (RS): Beg at bottom, with 1 strand A and 1 strand B held tog, ch 10, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (9 sc)
Row 2: Rep row 4 of Centerpiece.
Row 3: Rep row 3 of Centerpiece.
Rows 4-25: Rep rows 2 and 3.
Row 26: Ch 3, sk first 2 sc, sl st in next sc, [ch 3, sk next sc, sl st in next sc] 3 times. Fasten off.

Join Side Pieces and Centerpiece
Mark center 9 sts on each side of Centerpiece for bottom of tote. With RS facing out, matching bottoms of Side Pieces with bottom of tote, pin 1 Side Piece onto each side of Centerpiece.
Rnd 1: With 1 strand A and 1 strand B held tog, RS of Side Piece facing, working through both thicknesses, join yarn with a sl st in row 25 of either Side Piece and end st of Centerpiece, ch 1, sc in same st, sc over end st of each of next 24 rows, sc in each of next 9 sts across bottom, sc over end st of each of next 25 rows to top of tote, working 3 sc in last st at top corner, sc over end sts of rows across top of tote to next corner, 3 sc in corner st, continue around as established, ending with 2 sc in same st as first sc, join in first sc.
Mark center st on either side of Centerpiece at top of tote.
Rnd 2: [Ch 2, sk next sc, sl st in next sc] rep across to marked st, ch 15, sl st in fifth ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in last sc worked (button loop made), [ch 2, sk next sc, sl st in next sc] around, join with sl st at base of first ch-2. Fasten off.

Strap (make 2)
Row 1: With 1 strand A and 1 strand B held tog, leaving a 12-inch length at beg for finishing, ch 4, sc in second ch from hook, sc in each rem ch across, turn. (3 sc)
Rows 2-36: Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn. At end of row 36, fasten off leaving a 12-inch length for finishing.

Finishing
Sew button on center front. With lengths left for finishing and tapestry needle, using photo as a guide, sew straps into front and back of tote. Bring ends of center 8 rows tog on underside of either strap and sew tog with tapestry needle and yarn. Rep on rem strap.

DOWNLOAD
Click here to download the PDF (199.4 KB)

Other project series:

• Afghan Project of the Month
• Scrap Project of the Month
• Doily Project of the Month