Grocery Tote Bag

Materials needed: One large ball of Worsted Weight Yarn- (preferably cotton) 

Hook: “N” size metal hook and “J” for edging

Description: Grocery Tote Bag
Bag measures 12” wide at top and 15” long with 7” oval expandable bottom and 28” sling strap handle.

Instructions:
Ch 28

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in the 2 end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in the 2 end sts. Do not connect at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 3
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in ea of the 3 end sts.

Rnd 4-10
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom. (End so that you are at side of bag.)

Rnd 11
Starting at side of bag * Ch 1, Sk next st, Hdc in next st *
Repeat between * – * to end of round.

Rnd 12-35
* Hdc in next ch 1 space, Ch 1 *
Repeat between * – * to end of round for open mesh area of bag.

Rnd 36
Begin at side of bag, work 2 Hdc in ea ch 1 space around bag.

Row 37
Hdc in ea st around back to starting side. Work a Hdc in 5 sts past beginning. (This starts the handle.) Ch 1, turn.

Row 38
Hdc in the next 10 sts at side. (Handle is now 10 stitches wide.)
Ch 1, Turn.

Row 39 – 42
Hdc in ea next 10 sts. Ch 1, turn.

Row 43
Sk 1st st, Hdc in ea st to next to the last st. Leave last st unworked. Ch1, turn.

Row 44
Hdc in ea st across. (8 Hdc) Ch 1, turn.

Row 45
Sk 1st st, Hdc in ea st to next to the last st. Leave last st unworked. Ch1, turn.

Row 46
Hdc in ea st across. (6 Hdc) Ch 1, turn.

Row 47
Sk 1st st, Hdc in ea st to next to the last st. Leave last st unworked. Ch1, turn.

Row 48 – 77
Hdc in ea st across. (4 Hdc) Ch 1, turn.
(Complete 30 rows)

Row 78
2 Hdc in 1st st, Hdc in ea remaining st to next to last st, then 2 Hdc in last st. Ch 1, turn.

Row 79 – 80
Hdc in ea st across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 81
2 Hdc in 1st st, Hdc in ea remaining st to next to last st, then 2 Hdc in last st. Ch 1, turn.

Row 82 -83
Hdc in ea st across. Ch 1, turn.

Row 84
2 Hdc in 1st st, Hdc in ea remaining st to next to last st, then 2 Hdc in last st. Ch 1, turn.

Row 85 – 88
Work Hdc in ea st for 4 rows. Attach with a Sl St to body of bag matching center of handle to side of bag to match opposite side. (Make sure you attach strap handle securely to bag. If necessary, reinforce with additional Sl Sts to bag body.)

Using “J” hook – Sc in ea st along edge of strap handle all the way up handle to other side and Sl St across to other edge of strap handle. Sc around other side of strap handle back down to create a smooth edge on strap handle.

Finish off and weave in ends.

Abbreviations:

Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Rnd – Round
Sc - Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
St – Stitch
Trl – Triple Crochet