Mile-a-Minute Soft Tote

Our mile-a-minute soft tote is worked is worked in strips for a fun and funky bag!  Great to hold miscellaneous items for when you're on-the-go!

***************

Mile-a-Minute Soft Tote

Designed by: Cylinda Mathews

Materials:

8 oz. Red Heart Plush 4-ply WW yarn (Lt Purple)

Crochet hook size G (4.25 mm)

Finished Size: 16" W x14 ¾" T

Gauge: 2 shells = 1 ½"/1 strip = 4" W

Skill Level: Intermediate - Experienced

Pattern tested and model made by: Cylinda Mathews

© Copyright CrochetMemories.com June 2003. All rights reserved.

***************

First Strip:

Row 1) Ch 4; (4 dc) in 4th ch from hook, first 3 chs skipped count as first dc: 5 dc.

Row 2) Ch 3, turn work; sk next 2 dc, (5 dc) in next dc (center dc), dc in last dc of previous row: 5 dc/2 end dc.

Rows 3-40) Ch 3, turn work; sk next 2 dc, (5 dc) in next dc (center dc), dc in ch 3 turning ch: 5 dc/2 end dc.

Rnd 41) (Working around the strip), sl st in last turning ch sp; ch 3 (counts as first dc), (2 dc) in same sp, (3 dc) in next sp working down side of strip, (3 dc) over first dc post on row 1, (5 dc) in first ch (at bottom center), (3 dc) over next dc post on opposite side of row 1, (3 dc) over next sp working up opposite side, dc in next 2 dc on row 40, (7 dc) in next dc, dc in last 2 dc; join with a sl st to first dc: 256 dc.

Rnd 42) Sl st in next dc; (sc, ch 3, sc) in same st; [sk next 2 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (center dc)] 39 times, [sk next dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc] 4 times, [sk next 2 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (center dc)] 40 times, [sk next dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc] 4 times; join with a sl st in first sc: 88 ch 3-sps.  Fasten off; secure ends.

Rem Strips:

Rows 1-40) Rep rows 1-40 for first strip.

Rnd 41) Rep rnd 41 for first strip.

Rnd 42) Sl st in next dc; (sc, ch 1), holding second strip next to first, both strips in same direction (shells upright), sc in corresponding ch 3 sp on first strip (worked over last ch 3 turning ch), (ch 1, sc) in same st on current strip, (working down the long side of strip), [sk next 2 dc, (sc, ch 1) in next dc (center dc), sc in next ch 3 sp on first strip, (ch 1, sc) in same st on current strip] 38 times, sk next 2 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (center dc), [sk next dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc] 4 times, [sk next 2 dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc (center dc)] 40 times, [sk next dc, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next dc] 4 times; join with a sl st in first sc: 2 strips joined. Fasten off; secure ends.

Continue working rem 3 strips and joining as above. Each strip will have 5 unworked ch 3-sps at each end of the strip: 5 strips.

Tote Side Seams:

Row 1) Fold strips in half so that the scalloped edges align and match; sk first 5 unworked ch 3-sps at top of first scallop from strip joining and join yarn to next ch 3 sp, through both sides of tote; working to join sides, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same sp; * (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch 3 sp; rep from * to edge of fold, sc in last ch 3 sp (which is folded). Fasten off; secure ends.

Rep instructions for opposite side of tote.

Handle Straps:

Row 1) Join yarn to last unworked ch 3 sp on first strip at top of scallop from joining of strips with a sl st (handle will be positioned between first two scallops and last two scallops on same side of tote); ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in same sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in first unworked ch 3 sp on next strip: 2 ch 3-sps.

Rows 2-42) Ch 1, turn work; [(sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch 3 sp] twice: 2 ch 3-sps.

Row 43) Ch 1, turn work; (sc in next ch 3 sp, turning tote upside down, right side of work facing, sc in furthest unworked ch 3 sp on opposite side of tote, between scallops, sc in same ch 3 sp on strap, sc in next ch 3 sp on strap, sc in next unworked ch 3 sp on tote, sc in same ch 3 sp on strap: strap joined on one side of tote. Fasten off; secure ends.

Rep instructions for opposite handle.

Variation:

To make an afghan, make strips as long as you prefer and continue adding additional strips until the afghan is as wide as you like. You can work an edging with a (sc, ch 3, sc) in each ch 3 sp around the afghan if you prefer, or leave as is.

***************

You may also like these patterns!

Mock Scalloped Beach Tote 

Summer Garden Shoulder Bag 

***************

You may also enjoy "Crochet at Home!"

***************

 Photo submitted by Katheryn

Katheryn writes: "The mystery crochet along with the Mile a Minute Tote went well. Those that made it really enjoyed the crochet along, and didn't guess what it was until we were almost finished. They all loved the design, and it was so easy to make, and follow the directions. Again, thank you for letting our group use your design."  

 Photo submitted by Lauri

 Photo submitted by Linda

 Photo submitted by Wanda