Ingredients
- 2 balls of RED HEART® Chic Sheep™ yarn, Color A: 5312 Stiletto
- 1 ball of RED HEART® Chic Sheep™ yarn, Color B: 5311 Lace
- 5 mm [US H-8] Susan Bates® crochet hook
- Split stitch marker
- Yarn needle
- Pair of 23 in (58 cm) leather purse handles with perforations for sewing
- Sewing needle and matching thread
- 6 in (15 cm) piece of cardboard for optional tassel
- Lobster claw key ring for optional tassel
- Contrasting yarn for optional tassel
Instructions
- Make the foundation chain. With Color A, chain 51.
- Work Round 1. Make 2 single crochets in the second chain from the hook. Work 1 single crochet in each chain until you reach the last chain. Make 3 single crochets in the last chain.
- Work Round 2. Make 3 single crochets in the first single crochet. Work 1 single crochet in each single crochet to the marker, then make 3 single crochets in the marked single crochet.
- Work Round 3. Make 1 single crochet in the first stitch, then make 3 single crochets in the next stitch. Work 1 single crochet in each stitch to the marker.
- Repeat the base increase round. Repeat Round 3 five times.
- Work Rounds 9–15 evenly. Make 1 single crochet in each single crochet around for every round.
- Join Color B in Round 16. Join Color B with a single crochet and continue working in the round.
- Work Rounds 17–21 with color changes. Continue making 1 single crochet in each stitch around, switching colors as directed.
- Continue the striped body. Work 33 more rounds, switching between Color A and Color B every 3 rounds.
- Work Rounds 55–62 in Color A. Switch to Color A, making 1 single crochet in each stitch around for each round.
- Finish Round 63. Slip stitch in each single crochet around, then fasten off.
- Weave in the ends. Use the yarn needle to weave in loose ends securely on the inside of the tote.
- Attach the handles. Position the pair of leather handles evenly along the top edge. Sew them in place through their perforations using a sewing needle and matching thread.
- Make the optional tassel. Cut 2 pieces of contrasting yarn to use for tying. Wrap yarn around the 6 in (15 cm) piece of cardboard 50 times. Use one of the cut pieces to tie the wrapped strands together, then cut through the opposite end of the loops and trim the strands evenly. Use the other cut piece as needed to secure the tassel.
Notes
Keep the stitch marker in the marked stitch and track the rounds for consistency. Adjust the color sequence as needed to maintain the intended pattern.
