Body
Thread {at least 54 beads on first ball of yarn} 378 beads onto yarn.
Note: Slide beads aside until needed.
Ch 4, join to form a ring.
Round 1 (right side): Ch 1, 6 sc in ring; join in first sc.
Note: Rounds 2 through 20 are worked in continuous rounds. Do not join; mark beg of rounds.
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc and in each rem sc -- 12 sc.
Round 3: {Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 18 sc.
Round 4: {Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 24 sc.
Round 5: {Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 30 sc.
Round 6: {Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 36 sc.
Round 7: {Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 42 sc.
Round 8: {Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 48 sc.
Round 9: {Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 54 sc.
Round 10: {Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 60 sc.
Round 11: {Sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 66 sc.
Round 12: {Sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 6 times -- 72 sc.
Round 13: {Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 12 times -- 84 sc.
Round 14: {Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 12 times -- 96 sc.
Round 15: {Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc} 12 times -- 108 sc.
Round 16: Sc in each sc.
Round 17: Hdc in each sc.
Round 18: Hdc in each hdc.
Round 19: Hdc in next 107 hdc, sl st in next hdc.
Round 20: Sl st in next hdc, ch 4 {counts as a dc and a ch-1 sp on this and following rnds}, move one bead up to hook, ch 1, sk next hdc; * dc in next hdc, ch 1, move one bead up to hook, ch 1, sk next hdc; rep from * 52 times more; join in 3rd ch of beg ch-4 -- 54 dc.
Note: Thread 108 beads on second ball of yarn. Thread 162 beads on third ball of yarn and thread rem 54 beads on fourth ball of yarn.
Round 21: Ch 2 {counts as and hdc on this and following rounds}, hdc in lp over each bead and in each dc; join in 2nd ch of beg ch-2 -- 108 hdc.
Round 22: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc; join in 2nd ch of beg ch-2.
Rounds 23 and 24: Rep Round 22.
Rounds 25 through 54: Rep Rounds 20 through 24 six times more.
First Half of Top Shaping and Strap
Row 1 (right side): Ch 1, sc in same ch as joining and in next 51 hdc -- 52 sc. Ch 1, turn, leaving rem hdc unworked.
Row 2: Sc in first sc, dec over next 2 sc {to work dec: draw up lp in next 2 sc, YO and draw through all 3 lps on hook -- dec made}; sc in next 46 sc, dec over next 2 sc; sc in next sc -- 50 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Sc in first sc, dec; sc in each sc to last 3 sc, dec; sc in next sc -- 48 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 4 through 24: Rep Row 3. At end of Row 24 -- 6 sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 25: Sc in each sc. Ch 1, turn.
Rows 26 through 67: Rep Row 25. At end of Row 67, do not ch 1. Finish off.
Second Half of Top Shaping and Strap
Hold body with right side facing you and Rnd 54 at top; sk next 2 hdc on body from first strap, make lp on hook and join with an sc in next hdc.
Row 1 (right side): Sc in next 51 hdc -- 52 sc. Ch 1, turn, leaving rem 2 hdc unworked.
Rows 2 through 67: Rep Rows 2 through 67 on first half of top shaping and strap. At end of Row 67, do not finish off. Ch 1, turn.
Hold ends of straps with right sides together; working through both thicknesses, sl st in each sc.
Finish off and weave in all ends.
Strap Edging
Hold body with right side facing you; make lp on hook and join with an sc in edge sc on Row 67 of one strap; working in sides of rows, sc in next 66 rows, working across top edge of body and along sides of rows on next strap, sc in next 2 hdc on Round 54 and in next 67 rows of top shaping and strap; join in joining sc. Work edging in same manner on opposite side of strap.
Optional Lining
Step 1: Cut a rectangle 15" wide by 29" long. Cut a circle 19 1/2" in diameter.
Step 2: Place 15" ends right sides together and sew with a 1/2" seam for side seam; press seam open.
Step 3: Fold the circle in half and then fold again into quarters; mark each quarter. Also mark one open end of rectangle into quarters. Place lining pieces right sides together, matching the four quarter marks; stitch with a 1/2" seam, easing rectangle to fit.
Step 4: On open edge, press 1/2" to the wrong side. Place lining inside the tote with wrong side of lining toward inside of tote. Handstitch the folded edge to inside of tote.
This pattern is from American School of Needlework's book, Trendsetting Totes
Printed with permission of ASN Publishing
(c)1997 by American School of Needlework(R)
1455 Linda Vista Drive
San Marcos, CA 92069