Dimension: Tote: 16 (W) x 9 (H) x 7 (D) (exclude handles) Handle: approx. 24, 1 pair
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Gauge / Tension: 4 x 4 = 12 sts x 15 row
Material & Tool: 1. Jute twine (2-ply), 250 yard 2. Crochet hook, H / 5mm 3. Rubber tubing (for handles support, optional) 4. Cord or batting (for handles cushioning, optional) 5. Tapestry needle 6. Safety pins Abbreviations: (in USA terms) sl knot = slip knot st = stitch slst = slip stitch ch = chain hdc = half double crochet fo = fasten off Rnd = round CROCHET PATTERN Tote Base (work on right side only) Base chain sl knot, ch 16. Rnd 1 ch 1, 2sc on next st, sc each ch on next 14 sts, 3sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along other side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 15 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [34 sts] Rnd 2 ch 1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [38 sts] Rnd 3 ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [46 sts] Rnd 4 ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [54 sts] Rnd 5 ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 20 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [62 sts] Rnd 6 ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [74 sts] Rnd 7 ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 24 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts] Rnd 8 ch1, sc each on next 86 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts] Rnd 9 ch1, *{sc each on next 3 sts, 2sc on next st,} repeat 3 times, sc each on next 17 sts, repeat {} 3 times, sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts] Rnd 10 & Rnd 11 ch1, sc each on next 98 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts] Body (work on right side only) Rnd 1 Star Stitch on back loops only (A complete start stitch pattern is made of 2 rounds of crochet, Star Bottom and Star Top, view below for Star Stitch Crochet Pattern.). Treat a complete star stitch pattern as 1 round in the tote pattern
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Rnd 2 ch1, sc on next st around for 98 sts.
Repeat Rnd 1 and Rnd 2 5 times, then Rnd 2 again for another 7 times. Remark: If you want a different depth of tote, you may increase or reduce the number of repeats. Handle (make 2) Base chain sl knot, ch 60. Rnd 1 ch 1, sc each ch on next 59 sts, 5sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along other side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 58 sts, 4sc on next ch slst to the ch st at the beginning round. Rnd 2 ch 1, *sc each on next 60 sts, 2sc each on next 3 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. Rnd 3 ch1, *sc each on next 60 sts, {2sc on next st, sc on next st} repeat 3 times, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. fo, keep a 30 or more of yarn for sewing. Star Stitch Pattern Star Bottom (crochet on the right side) First Bottom Star of the round: ch 3, pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: 2nd ch from hook, 3rd ch from hook, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round, each on next 2 sc st. Check: you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch (deem as the star center). Subsequent Star Bottom of the round: Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: the top loop of the previous star, star center, the st of the last loop of previous star, each on next 2 sc st. Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch. Last Star Bottom of the round: Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: the top loop of the previous star, star center, the st of the last loop of previous star, next sc st, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round. Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, slip st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the round. Star Top: (turn your work around and crochet on the wrong side) ch 2, 2hdc on the star center for all the 49 Star Bottom. slst to the 2nd ch at the beginning of the round. If you are feeling confused reading the written pattern, watch the video on How To Crochet Star Stitch might be able to help. This video from Crochet Geek is showing star stitch pattern in row format, you will need to adapt it to crochet it in round (as written pattern above). If you need some visual pictures to show you where to pull the loops, please scroll down for the pictures. Assembly: Please read the instruction as shown in the step by step photos below. Note: natural jute twine has a light whiff of diesel, if you cant take the smell please substitute it with other similar material.
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Oblong base of the jute twine tote.
Crochet Star Stitch pattern, refer above written crochet pattern (Star Bottom) for the details. The 5 red points in picture 8 and 10 are the positions to pull the loops for the star stitch. Slip stitch at the end of the round for Star Bottom. Half a star (Star Bottom) completed. Turn your work to the wrong side to crochet the Star Top. Refer above written crochet pattern (Star Top) for the details. Follow by a row of single crochet on the right side. It is both loops single crochet (picture 7). A completed Star Stitch Tote body. Crochet a pair of handles with the pattern above. You may cushion the handles with tiny rubber tube or just leave them empty. I salvaged the rubber tube from a hat packaging, you may buy them from hardware shop (compressed air section) or get a slightly larger diameter and softer material from aquarium section. Or, you can use resilient plastic strip (some call it corset bone or fish bone). Gather and sew the sides of the handle together 2 from the rounded end. Pin the handles in place on the tote, about 7 apart at the center of the tote. Sew the handles onto the tote, hide twine. You may line the tote with fabric. This completes the Star Stitch Tote in jute twine.