Good morning and welcome to part 1 of the Secret Garden Tote crochet-a-long! Today’s instructions will guide you through crocheting the bottom and sides of the tote, up to the ribbon tie.
Written instructions are at the top of the post, and detailed pictures are included below, so if you’re a visual learner, scroll down to get to those.
As usual, I highly recommend reading through all the notes before beginning your project, and encourage you to ask questions in my Facebook group if something doesn’t make sense. I will not be responding to comments left on this page, or direct contact messages for this CAL (the Facebook group is very friendly and helpful, and I know you’ll fit right in). <3
In case you missed the materials list from the main page for this CAL, follow the link to go back and look at them again.
Gauge:
13 sc stitches in 4″
Measurements:
12″ wide x 14″ tall, excluding straps when laid flat
Additional Notes:
I start my 3-dc cluster rounds, and sc rounds in the same stitch as join. This slowly works my seam over to the middle of the side of the bag, but since this is a lacy texture you shouldn’t notice that diagonal seam. You don’t have to do your rounds that same way, but when I talk about the join being in the middle of the side of the tote in part 2, this is why. 😉 The pattern will turn out fine either way.
Secret Garden Market Bag Pattern Tutorial – Part 1 (US Terms):
Round 1: ch 31, sc in second ch from hook, and in each st across. Once you get to the end of the row, work a second sc in the final st, then work another 30 sc on the other side. Put one sc in the very end of the row, join with sl st to first sc. (62)
Round 2: ch 1, sc in next 30 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 30 sts, 2 sc in next st, join with sl st to first sc. (64)
Round 3: ch 1, sc in next 28 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 29 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, join with sl st to first sc. (68)
Round 4: ch 1, sc in next 28 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 30 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (72)
Round 5: ch 1, sc in next 28 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 31 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (76)
Round 6: ch 1, sc in next 28 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 32 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (80)
Round 7: ch 1, sc in next 28 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 33 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, join with sl st to first sc. (84)
Your piece should measure 12″ long by 3 3/4″ wide at this point. This will be the bottom of the bag.
Round 8: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (84)
Round 9: ch 1, *cross stitch across next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first dc. (84)
Round 10: ch 1, sc in each sts around, join with sl st to first sc. (84)
Round 11: ch 1, 3-dc cluster in first st, ch 1, sk st, *3-dc cluster in next st, ch 1, sk st; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first 3-dc cluster (42 3-dc cluster, 42 ch-1 sps)
Round 12: ch 1, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp, join with sl st to first sc. (84)
Round 13: *sk st, 4 dc in next st, sk st, sl st in next st; repeat from * around, final sl st counts as join. (21 4-dc shells)
Round 14: sl st to top of first shell, ch 3, *sl st between second and third dc of 4-dc shell (center), ch 3; repeat from * around, join with sl st to first ch (21 ch-3 sps)
Round 15: ch 1, *4 sc in ch-3 sp; repeat from* around, join with sl st to first sc (84)
Repeat rounds 9-15 2 more times, or until your tote is the height you desire.
Market Bag Picture Tutorial instructions:
Round 1: Once you get to the end of the row, work a second sc in the final stitch, and then work another 30 sc on the other side.
The bottom of the tote after Round 3, and again after round 7 (your final increase round)
This is how to do the cross-stitch: skip stitch, dc in the next, cross back and dc in the stitch you just skipped. Repeat around.
Working the 3 dc cluster: yo, pull up a loop, pull through two loops leaving 2 loops on your hook, yo, pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops leaving 3 loops on your hook, yo, pull up a loop, pull through 2 loops leaving 4 loops on your hook, yo, then pull through all 4 loops.
Round 13: skip stitch, 4 dc in the next, skip stitch, sl st in the next. Repeat this sequence around.
Round 14: sl st to top of first shell, ch 3, *sl st between the second and third dc of 4 dc shell (center), ch 3* repeat * to * around.
And finally, this is what your tote should look like before you start the next two repeats of rounds 9-15:
That’s it for Part 1! Click the link below for Part 2…
Market Bag CAL Part 2: will cover the section where the ribbon will go, and will include instructions for leaving that part out, if you wish, and cover straps of various lengths.
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