<--- Pattern continued from page 1 of the instructions.
Outside Round: With the right side of the piece facing out, fold the piece in half (wrong sides held together), so that the starting chain edge and the row you just did are held together, lined up at the top. * ch 1, then turn the folded piece so that the left-hand side edge is at the top, ready to be worked in next. To join the edges: insert the hook below the sc on the edge of the first row of the front piece nearest you and at the same time, continue to insert the hook below the sc on the edge of the first row of the back piece furthest from you, yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through both pieces, yarn over hook, pull yarn through both loops on the hook (which completes as a single crochet stitch). Next insert the hook below the post of the dc on edge of the next row of the front piece nearest you and at the same time continue to insert below the post of the dc on edge of the next row of the back piece furthest from you (these dc posts should line up, with one directly in front of the other), yarn over hook, pull the yarn through both pieces and continue to complete as a regular single crochet, same as the first joining sc made on this side. Continue in this same manner, with 2 sc made around each dc post along the side (always making the stitch around the dc posts of the front and back piece at the same time, to join the pieces). When you reach the end of this side, ch 1, turn, then slip stitch in ea sc back along the same side to reach the top of the tote bag (I used the slip stitch here to eliminate having to end off and start again, making less ends to weave in later and an additional benefit is that the slip stitch also makes a decorative ridge along the side edge, giving a nicer finished look to the edges). **
Outside Round, Continued on Top Edge: When all slip stitches are made along that side, then ch 1 and turn the piece so that the top edge of the tote bag is facing up, then (working in only the front piece nearest you, because this is the top of the tote, which will be the open side), sc in ea stitch across the top row (36, 45 or 54 sc). Next, repeat the Outside Round directions between * and ** one time.
Then, continue with these directions: When all slip stitches are made along this side, then ch 1 and turn the piece so that the top edge of the tote bag is facing up, then (working in only the part of the piece nearest you, because this is the top of the tote, which will be the open side), sc in ea stitch across the top row of this part of the piece (36, 45 or 54 sc), stopping when you reach the next side edge. The next part is worked in rounds.
Carry Handle Round 1: slip stitch in the sc that started the sc joining row on the side edge, then working along the open top edge, sc in ea of next 12 (15, 18) sc, chain 13 (16, 19) (for handle opening), skip next 12 (15, 18) sc, sc in ea of next 12 (15, 18) sc, slip stitch in the sc that started the sc joining row of the next side edge, then continuing to work along the open top edge, sc in ea of next 12 (15, 18) sc, chain 13 (16, 19) (for handle opening), skip next 12 (15, 18) sc, sc in ea of next 12 (15, 18) sc. Slip stitch in the first sc of this round. Do not turn.
Carry Handle Round 2: ch 1, sc in ea of next 12 (15, 18) sc, make 18 (21, 24) sc in the chain space, sc in ea sc until you reach the next chain space, make 18 (21, 24) sc in the chain space, sc in ea of next 12 (15, 18) sc, slip stitch in the first sc of this round.
Carry Handle Round 3: ch 1, sc in ea of next 10 (13, 16) sc, make an sc decrease over the next 2 sc (this decrease is made so that the beginning curve of the carry handle will not buckle outward), sc in ea of next 17 (20, 23) sc of carry handle, sc dec over next 2 sc, sc in ea of next 23 (26, 29) sc, sc dec over next 2 sc, sc in ea of next 17 (20, 23) sc of carry handle, sc dec over next 2 sc, sc in ea of next 10 (13, 16) sc, sl st in beginning sc of this round.
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure.
If you wish to add a shoulder strap also, make a chain of 100 or more chains, according to the length you want the strap to be. Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, sc in ea chain across, then ch 1 to turn, sc in ea sc across for the second row. You could make a third row in single crochet if you want a thicker strap. Securely sew one end of the strap to each side of the tote bag.
