Vote Tote

with

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Tote measures approximately 11"/28 cm wide x 11 1/2"/29 cm high x 2"/5 cm deep

MATERIALS

Caron International's Simply Soft Eco (80% Acrylic, 20% NatureSpun™ Polyester): 11 oz (A), 1/2 oz (B), 1/2 oz (C)

Shown in: #0002 Natural (A); #0012 Wine Country (B); #0026 Dark Denim Wash (C).

One size US J-10 (6 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.

Stitch markers

Yarn needle

GAUGE

In single crochet, 16 sts and 20 rows = 4"/10 cm.

In (sc, dc) stitch pattern, 16 sts and 15 rows = 4"/10 cm.

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (slip st).

SPECIAL TERM

sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together – [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] twice times, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

sc3tog: Single crochet 3 together – [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 3 times, yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on hook.

sc5tog: Single crochet 5 together – [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 5 times, yarn over and draw through all 6 loops on hook.

BAG

Back

With A, chain 57.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat form * across, turn—56 sts.

Rows 2–42: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, sc in next dc; repeat from * across, turn. Fasten off.

Bottom

Row 43: Working in front loops only, join A with sc in 7th st (the 7th st should be a dc), sc in next 43 sts; leave remaining 6 sts unworked, turn—44 sc.

Rows 44–53: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. Fasten off.

Front

Row 54: With A, ch 6, sc in 44 sts of Row 53, ch 7, turn.

Row 55: Working in each ch and in front loops of sc only, sc in second ch from hook, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * across, turn—56 sts.

Rows 56–96: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn. Fasten off.

STRAPS (make 2)

With A, chain 112.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each remaining ch across, turn—111 sc.

Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. Fasten off.

POCKET (make 1 – optional)

With A, chain 33.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across, turn—32 sc.

Rows 2–22: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn. Fasten off.

LETTERS (make 1 of each)

V: With B, chain 27; 5 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, sc5tog, sc in next 10 ch, 5 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 12 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

O:

Row 1: With C, chain 25; 2 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next 6 ch, [2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch] twice, sc in next 6 ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch; join with slip st in first sc—32 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, *[sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] twice, sc in next 4 sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] twice; repeat from * once more; join with slip st in first sc—40 sc. Fasten off.

T:

Row 1: With B, chain 16, 5 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, sc3tog, sc in next 9 ch, 5 sc in next ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 9 sts; leave remaining portion of opposite side of foundation ch unworked, ch 5. Fasten off.

Row 2: Join B with slip st in last sc made in Row 1 and prepare to work along ch-5; sc3tog over first 3 ch, sc in next ch, 5 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; continuing along unworked portion of opposite side of foundation ch across top of 'T', sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; join with slip st in first sc of Row 1. Fasten off.

E:

Row 1: With C, chain 22; 5 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 11 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 3 ch, 5 sc in next ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 4 sts, ch 5, dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, skip next st (along opposite side of foundation ch), sc in next 4 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 2 sts; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

FINISHING

Sew Letters to Tote: Sew 'V' 3"/7.5cm below top edge of front of tote and 2 3/4"/7cm from left side edge. Sew 'E' 3"/7.5cm below top edge of front of tote and 2 3/4"/7cm from right side edge Sew 'O' and 'T' evenly spaced between the 'V' and 'E.'

Sew Pocket to Tote (optional): Center pocket over back of tote and sew in place.

Sew Sides of Tote: Fold up front and back of tote, bending sides of front and back along side edges of bottom. With A, sew side and bottom edges together.

Sew Straps to Tote: With A, sew ends of one strap about 4"/10cm from each side of front. Repeat with second strap on back of bag.

Using yarn needle, weave in ends.