Stars and Stripes Bag

With red, white and blue stripes and fun star-shaped buttons, this bag from Lily Sugar n' Cream is a patriotic way to tote items to the beach, picnic or the 4th of July fireworks. You can also substitute other yarn colors and buttons for a different bag.

Materials:

• Yarn: Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g / 2.5 oz)

Color A - #00009 Bright Navy 10¾ oz [303 g]; 516 yds [467 m] or 5 balls
Color B - #00095 Red 4¼ oz [120 g]; 204 yds [185 m] or 2 balls
Color C - #00001 White 1¾ oz [50 g]; 85 yds [77 m] or 1 ball

• Crochet hook: Size 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• 5 buttons
• Cardboard piece approx 6 x 18 ins [15 x 45.5 cm]

Size: Approx 18 x 15 ins [45.5 x 38 cm]

Gauge: 13 sts and 8 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in pat.

Instructions:

Note: Ch 3 at beg of row counts as dc. To change color, work to last 2 loops on hook at end of row. With new color, draw through 2 loops on hook, then proceed. Front and Back of Bag are worked sideways.

FRONT and BACK (make 2 pieces alike)
With A, ch 51.
1st row: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as 1 hdc). 1 hdc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 49 hdc.
**2nd row: Ch 3 (counts as dc). 1 dc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 2 (does not count as st). 1 hdc in each dc to end of row. Turn.
4th row: As 2nd row.
Last 2 rows form pat.**

Cont working in pat, changing colors as follows:
2 rows with B
2 rows with C
2 rows with B
2 rows with C
2 rows with B
8 rows with A
2 rows with B
2 rows with C
2 rows with B
2 rows with C
2 rows with B
4 rows with A. Fasten off.

SIDE/BOTTOM PANEL (make 1)
With A, ch 18.
1st row: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as 1 hdc). 1 hdc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 16 hdc.
Rep from ** to ** as given for Front and Back.
Cont even in pat until work from beg measures 48 ins [122 cm]. Fasten off.

STRAPS (make 2)
With B, ch 113.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn.
2nd to 4th rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. Fasten off at end of 4th row.

FINISHING
With A and WS facing, crochet Front and Side/ Bottom panel tog. for Back.

TOP EDGING
With RS facing, join A with sl st, to top of Bag.
1st and 2nd rnds: Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. Work in sc around top of Bag. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off at end of 2nd rnd.

Sew Straps to Bag as illustrated.
Cut a piece of cardboard 5 x 17 ins [12.5 x 43 cm] and place in bottom of Bag.
Sew buttons to front as shown in picture.