Knitted Cotton Shopping Bag

Think Green! Knit this bag and take it with you to your visit to grocery store!

SIZE: One Size
About 11 x 14 in. (28 x 35.5 cm) (not including handle)

MATERIALS
• 482-130 Lion Brand Recycled Cotton: Seagrass 3 Balls
• Stitch Markers
• Large-Eyed Blunt Needles
• Additional Materials
Circular knitting needle size 9 (5.5 mm), 24 in. (61 cm) long

GAUGE:
16 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in Garter st (k every row), with 2 strands of yarn held together.
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you less stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:
NOTES:
Base of Tote is knit back and fourth in rows on circular needle with 2 strands of yarn held together. Tote is then worked in the round in Lace Pattern with 1 strand of yarn.
ssk (slip, slip, knit)- slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time to right needle, insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them together.

Lace Pattern (worked in the round)
Rnd 1: *(Yo, k2tog); rep from * around.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: *(Ssk, yo); rep from * around.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rep Rnds 1-4 for Lace Pattern.

TOTE

Base
With 2 strands of yarn held together, cast on 44 sts.
Rows 1-30: Knit. At end of last row, do not turn.
Rotate work and pick up and k14 sts along adjacent short side of Base, 44 sts along long side of Base, and 14 sts along rem side – 116 sts.

Top
Note: Work will now proceed in the round.
Join, being careful not to twist sts. Place marker for beg of rnd.
Rnds 1-3: Knit.
Cut 1 strand of yarn, leaving a long tail.
With 1 strand of yarn, work Rnd 1 of Lace Pattern. Rep Rnds 1-4 of Lace Pattern until piece measures about
14 in. (35.5 cm) from Base, ending with a Rnd 4.

Handle Shaping
Next Rnd: Bind off 14 sts, K 44 sts, bind off 14 sts, k44 sts and sl to a holder, bind off 14 sts - (2 sets of 44 sts for each side of handle).
Rem 44 sts will be worked back and forth in rows for first half of handle.
Row 1 (RS): K2tog *(yo, k2tog), rep from * to last 2 sts, k2tog – 42 sts.
Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 3: K1, ssk, *(yo, ssk) to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 – 40 sts.
Row 5: K1, k2tog, *(yo, k2tog); rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 38 sts.
Row 7: Ssk, *(ssk, yo); rep from * to last 2 sts, ssk – 36 sts.
Row 8: Purl.
Rep Rows 5-8 until there are 8 sts rem, ending with a Row 8. Work rem 8 sts as follows:
Row 1 (RS): K1, (yo, k2tog) 3 times, k1.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, (ssk, yo) 3 times, k1.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-4 twice more. Bind off loosely. Re-join yarn to 44 sts on holder and work same as for first half of
handle.

FINISHING
Sew ends of handle together.

Border
With RS facing and 1 strand of yarn, beg at handle seam, pick up and k100 sts evenly spaced around one side of handle and top of Tote. Join, being careful not to twist. Place marker for beg of rnd.
Rnd 1: Purl.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Bind off loosely.
Rep border on opposite side of Tote. Weave in ends.