Knitted Cotton Tote

Use this tote for work or workouts...grocery shopping or just bopping around town!


Size: One size
15 x 15 1/2 in. (38 x 39.5 cm) not including strap.

MATERIALS
• 860-145 Lion Brand Vanna's Choice® Yarn: Eggplant 2 Balls (A)
• 860-141 Lion Brand Vanna's Choice® Yarn: Wild Berry 2 Balls (B)
• 830-113 Lion Brand New Cotton-Ease®: Cherry 2 Balls (C)
• 830-145 Lion Brand New Cotton-Ease®: Plum
2 Balls (D)
• Knitting Needles- Size 9 [5.5 mm]
• Stitch Holders
• Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)

GAUGE:
14 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in Seed st with 1 strand each of A and C 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:
Seed Stitch (over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * across.
Row 2: K the purl sts and p the knit sts.
Rep Row 2 for Seed st.

STRIPE SEQUENCE
Stripe I Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of A and C held tog.
Stripe II Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of B and C held tog.
Stripe III Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of A and D held tog.
Stripe IV Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of B and D held tog.

TOTE
FRONT
With 1 strand each of A and C held tog, cast on 15 sts.
Row 1: Work Row 1 of Seed st across.
Row 2: Work Row 2 of Seed st to last st, k into front and back of st (inc made) – 16 sts.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures 3 1/2 in. (9 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of B and C held tog and rep Row 2 until you have 51 sts, then work even in Seed st until piece measures 7 in. (18 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of A and D, and work in Stripe III until piece measures 10 1/2 in. (27 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of B and D, and work in Stripe IV until piece measures 14 in. (35.5 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of A and C, and work in Stripe I until piece measures 15 1/2 in. (39.5 cm) from beg.

Shape Strap
Next Row: Continuing in Stripe I, work 8 sts and place onto holder, bind off next 35 sts, finish row.
Work in Seed st as established on remaining 8 sts until Strap measures 2 in. (5 cm), then change to 1 strand each of B and C.

Work in Stripe Sequence as follows:
Work in Stripe II until Strap measures 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm), work in Stripe III until Strap measures 10 in. (25.5 cm), then continue in Stripe IV until Strap measures 12 in. (30.5 cm), AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at outer edge of Strap every 3 in. (7.5 cm), 3 times – 5 sts.
When Strap measures 12 in. (30.5 cm), bind off.
For second half of Strap, place sts from holder back onto needle, rejoin A and C, and work as for first half of Strap.

BACK
Work as for Front.

FINISHING
Sew Front and Back together along lower edge. Sew sides, continuing side seam along edge of Straps (seam will run along center of finished Straps). Sew ends of Straps together. Weave in ends.