A variation of the
Aster Granny Square makes this tote the perfect fashion accessory. Feel free to use any colors of your choice.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Materials Used in This Example:
Worsted weight yarn. I used Red Heart Classic yarn colors: about 3 oz. pale sage No. 622 (A), about 2 oz. white No. 001 (B), bronze No. 286 (C), copper No. 289 (D) cardinal No. 917 (E) and dark sage No. 633 (F). You can also use a similar yarn in the colors of your choice.
11 inch by 20 inch piece of fabric in color of your choice for lining. I used a light green shaded fabric to match the pale shade yarn used.
sewing thread to match fabric
sewing needle
tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, sewing and embroidery
US Size I hook
Finished Size: 11 inches by 12 inches excluding strap
Gauge: 8 dc = 2 inches; 3 dc rows = 2 inches
Abbreviations:
ch =
chain ea = each
sl st =
slip stitch sc =
single crochet hdc =
half double crochet dc =
double crochet
Special Stitches:
Back loop only - Instructions link, with photos:
front and back loop how to
See also:
loops in crochet
Directions:
Tote
Aster Granny Square:
Make 2 granny squares using color A and the
granny square instructions from the aster granny square pattern.
Fabric Liner:
Place one piece on a piece of paper. Trace around it to make a paper pattern as a guideline for cutting out fabric liner shape allowing a little extra around edges for seam. Cut two liner pieces from fabric. With right sides together, sew around three sides leaving top open. Fold top edge of liner under ¼ inch to wrong side, and then fold under again. Sew along folded edge to hold edge in place. Set aside for later.
Assembly:
Holding two crocheted pieces together, matching stitches, join color B to corner stitch. Working sc through both pieces (to join the squares), sc in each st around three sides working 3 sc in each bottom corner stitches. Leave top open. Do not fasten off, turn.
Trim: See a close-up photo of the trim.
You will be working the chains in a sort of zigzag pattern while doing the trim.
* ch 11, sk next 5 sc, sc in next sc, ch 11 (you will be working in sc sts you just skipped from left to right), sc in first skipped sc, ch 11 (you will also be working in remaining sc sts in row from right to left), sc in next sc, ch 11, sc in next skipped sc (working from left to right), ch 11, sc in next sc (working right to left); repeat from * across 3 sides of tote leaving top open. Do not fasten off. Continue to sc evenly around top opening of tote. Fasten off. Weave ends in.
Insert the fabric liner into the tote. Hand sew top edge of liner to the inside of the tote in such a manner that the stitching will not show from the right side of the tote.
Aster:
To begin: With color C, ch 2.
Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Round 2: * sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around (9 sc).
Round 3: change to color D, * sc in ea of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around (12 sc).
You will now work on the petals of the aster.
Round 4: change to color E, * ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in ea of next 2 chs, dc in ea of next 6 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch; sc in back loop of next sc of round 3, ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in ea of next 3 chs, dc in ea of next 4 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sc in back loop of next sc or round 3; repeat from * 5 times.
You were working in the back loops of round 3 for the back petals. Now you will work the front petals in the front loops of round 3.
Round 5: * ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in ea of next 2 chs, sc in next ch, sl st in front loop of Round 3, repeat from * 11 times. Fasten off leaving 12” yarn tail for sewing the aster to the square. Thread tapestry needle with yarn tail. Sew aster to center of square by stitching through round 5 at base of petals. Fasten off. Weave end in.
Finishing:
Thread the tapestry needle with a 15 inch single strand of yarn in color indicated in photo. Embroider bud details in straight stitches and french knots in colors C, E, and F.
Tote Bag Strap:
With color B, ch 81.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn.
Row 2: ch 2, hdc in each sc across, turn.
Row 3: ch 1, sc in each hdc across. Fasten off leaving 8 inch yarn tail.
With tapestry needle and yarn tail, sew end to inside of tote at top of one seam. With 8 inches of color B, sew opposite end of strap to opposite side of tote at inside top at seam. (refer to the photo to see where the strap ends are sewn to the tote).
