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MATERIALS

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

Caron International's Simply Soft Collection Paints (100% Acrylic): 4 oz (F), 4 oz (G)

Shown in: #0008 Autumn Maize (A); #0003 Pistachio (B); #0007 Aqua Mist (C); #0004 Blueberry (D); #0001 Tapestry (E); #0002 Rose Garden (F); #0006 Oceana (G)

Note: Yarn quantities are sufficient to make all three tote embellishments.

One size US H-8 (5mm) crochet hook

3 tote bags (14"/35.5cm totes pictured)

3 bangle bracelets (3 1/2"/9cm diameter pictured)

Sewing needle and thread (or fabric glue)

Yarn needle

GAUGE

Gauge is not critical for this project

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st), treble crochet (tr)

SPECIAL STITCH

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.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

Surface slip stitch: Hold a slip knot (not on hook) on WS of piece. Insert hook from RS to WS. Place slip knot on hook, draw loop to RS. *A small distance from last insertion, insert hook from RS to WS through piece, yarn over, draw loop to RS and through loop on hook (surface slip stitch made); repeat from * as needed.

BELT AND RINGS (shown on purple tote)

Belt

With G, ch 80 loosely. Note: Adjust chain length for size of tote. Chain should fit around the width of the tote without stretching.

Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in each remaining ch across, turn—78 dc.

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

Row 5: Ch 2, dc in each st across.

Fasten off.

With D, work a line of surface slip stitch, lengthwise across belt, between Rows 1 and 2. With C, work another line of surface slip stitch between Rows 4 and 5. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ring 1

Round 1: With D, cover a bangle bracelet with sc, as follows:

Place a slip knot on hook. *Insert hook, from front to back, into center of bracelet. Take yarn over top of bracelet to back, and over the hook. Draw loop to front, bring yarn back over top of bracelet, yarn over and draw through both loops on hook (1 covering sc made); repeat from * until bracelet is completely covered. Push stitches together as you work, to ensure complete coverage; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off D.

Round 2: Draw up a loop of G in joining sl st, ch 2, dcin each sc around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch-2. Fasten off G.

Round 3: Draw up a loop of D in joining sl st, ch 1, working in front loops only, sc in each dc around; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Ring 2

Round 1: With C, cover a bangle bracelet with sc, in same manner as Round 1 of ring 1. Note: For best results work a multiple of 6 sc in bangle (e.g. 42, 48, 54, 60 sc).

Round 2: Sk next 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk next 2 sc, *sl st in next sc, sk next 2 sc, 5 dc in next sc, sk next 2 sc; repeat from * around; join with sl st in first dc.

Round 3: Ch 1, working in front loops only, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc.

Fasten off.

Finishing

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends. Thread belt through rings, and sew or glue belt and rings to tote, placing one ring on front and one ring on back of tote. Hide ends of belt beneath one of the rings.

PEACE SIGN AND TASSELS (shown on blue tote)

Tasseled Trim

With E, ch 85. Note: Adjust chain length for size of tote. Chain should fit around the width of the tote without stretching. For best results work a chain that is a multiple of 6 sts + 1 (e.g. 73, 79, 85, 91, 97).

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next ch, tr in next 3 ch, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next 3 ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across. Fasten off.

Tassel: Cut 5 strands of A, 5"/12.5cm long. Hold all strands together and fold in half forming a loop at folded end. Draw loop through one side of trim (in a 'valley'), thread ends of strands through loop and pull to tighten and secure. Trim ends. Repeat to attach a tassel in each 'valley' across one side of trim.

Peace Sign

Round 1 (RS): With E, cover a bangle bracelet with sc, in same manner as Round 1 of Ring 1 (Belt and Rings).

Round 2: Ch 2, dc in each sc around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

Center: With WS of bangle facing, join E with sl st around one of the sc of Round 1. Work chain stitches until piece is long enough to reach opposite side of bangle, sl st around sc on opposite side of bangle. Fasten off and weave in ends. With WS of bangle facing, join E with sl st around an sc about 1/3 of the distance between the two ends of the first chain. Work chain stitch until piece reaches first chain, at a height slightly higher than starting point,, sl st in first ch, work chain stitch until piece reaches opposite side of bracelet at same height as starting point, sl st around sc on opposite side of bangle. Fasten off.

Finishing

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends. Sew or glue trim around top edge of tote. Sew or glue peace sign to center front of tote.

POCKET (shown on pink tote)

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. Proceed with new color. Fasten off old color. Helpful: Do not fasten off old color until it is next needed. It may be possible to carry the old color loosely up side edge when next needed, reducing the number of ends to be woven in. Carried strands can be covered when pocket is edged.

With F, ch 21.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each remaining ch across, turn—20 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, working in front loops only, sc in each st across; change to B in last st, turn.

Repeat Row 2, working rows in the following color sequence: Work 1 row with B, 2 rows with F, 2 rows with B, 3 rows with F, 1 row with B, 2 rows with F, 2 rows with B, 1 row with F, 1 row with B, 3 rows with F. Change to B in last st of last row.

Edging: Ch 1, work rev sc evenly spaced around all 4 sides of pocket. Fasten off.

Flower

With B, ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Work 7 sc in ring; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off B.

Round 2: Draw up a loop of F in sl st join, ch 6, (tr, ch 6, sl st) in first sc, *ch 6, (tr, ch 6, sl st) in next sc; repeat from * around—7 petals. Fasten off.

Center: Insert hook in center ring and draw up a loop of B, work a circular line of surface slip stitch between Rounds 1 and 2 around flower center. Fasten off.

Finishing

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends. Sew or glue bottom and sides of pocket to front of tote, leaving top open. Sew or glue flower to base of one tote handle.