Fourth of July Fireworks Tote

This colorful Fireworks Fourth of July Tote would make the perfect bright accessory to a fourth of July parade.  The best part?  The red-and-white pattern make it a cute tote for any day of the week.

Materials:

• RED HEART® “Super Saver®”: 2 Skeins 0319 Cherry
• Red A and 1 skein 0311 White B.
• Crochet Hook: 4mm [US G-6].
• Yarn needle, one 1” button.

Gauge: 16 sts = 4”; 16 rows = 4” in sc. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Size: Tote measures 10" x 12"

Abbreviations: A, B = Color A, Color B; ch = chain;
dec = decrease; mm = millimeters; rnd = round;
sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); * or ** = repeat
whatever follows the * or ** as indicated; [ ] = work
directions in brackets the number of times specified.

Instructions:

Note: To Change Color In Sc: With present color draw up a loop in st before change then complete the sc with the next color. Carry color not in use loosely across top of row and work over it as you go.

SPECIAL PATTERN STITCHES
DOTS (Worked over a multiple of 4 sts + 3 sts):
Row 1 (Right Side): Ch 1, 1 sc A, 1 sc B, * 3 sc A, 1 sc B; repeat from * to last st; 1 sc A; turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across with A; turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, 3 sc A, * 1 sc B, 3 sc A; repeat from * across; turn.
Row 4: Repeat Row 2. Repeat Rows 1-4 for Dots pattern. CHECKS (Worked over a multiple of 6 sts + 3 sts):
Row 1 (Right Side): Ch 1, 3 sc A, * 3 sc B, 3 sc A; repeat from * across.
Rows 2 and 3: Repeat Row 1.
Rows 4, 5 and 6: Ch 1, 3 sc B, * 3 sc A, 3 sc B; repeat from * across. Repeat Rows 1-6 for Checks pattern.

BASE-Row 1: With A, ch 16; sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across; turn – 15 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across.
Rows 3-47: Work Rows 1-4 of Dots pattern 11 times, then work 1 more A row. Fasten off. With wrong side facing, join A and slip st in each st and row around base. Fasten off.

BACK: With wrong side facing, join A and work 47 sc along one long edge of Base. Work Rows 1-4 of Dots pattern 9 times, then repeat Dots pattern Row 1 again. Fasten off.

FRONT: Work same as for Back across remaining long edge of Base.

SIDES (Make 2): With wrong side facing join A and work 15 sc along side edge of Base. Work 37 sc rows even with A. Fasten off. Sew back and front to sides.

LARGE POCKET: With A, ch 46.
Row 1 (Right Side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch, * 3 sc B, 3 sc A; repeat from * across; turn – 45 sts.
Rows 2-24: Repeat Checks pattern Rows 2-6, then Rows 1-6 three times. ** Fasten off.

Edging-Rnd 1: With right side facing, join A in any st, leaving chain row free, and slip st around; join with a slip st in back loop of first slip st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in back loop of each slip st around; join with a slip st in first sc. Fasten off. Sew pocket to Back through sc rnd on 3 sides.

BOTTLE POCKET: With A, ch 22. Work same as Large Pocket over 21 sts to **.
Row 25: With A, ch 1, [sc in sc; draw up a loop in next 2 sc, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook] 7 times – 14 sts. Fasten off.

Edging: Work same as for Large Pocket. Sew to Side through sc row on 3 sides.

FLAP-Row 1: With right side of Back facing, skip 13 sc, join A in next sc; ch 1, sc in same sc and next 2 sc,[3 sc B, 3 sc A] 3 times; turn – 21 sts.
Rows 2-19: Repeat Checks pattern Rows 2-6, then Rows1-6 twice, then Row 1 once more.

Shape Flap: Keeping continuity of pattern, decrease 1 st at each end of next 2 rows – 17 sts. Fasten off.

Bag and Flap Edging: With right side facing, join A in first sc to the left of the flap; ch 1, sc evenly around bag to flap, work 1 sc in each row down side of flap, 7 sc across end of flap, ch 3 for button loop, skip next 3 sc, 7 sc across end of
flap, 1 sc in each row sc up side of flap to first sc; join with a slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

Flap Edging-Row 1: With right side facing, join A in first sc at right edge of flap; ch 1, sc in each sc along flap, working 3 sc in ch-3 space; do not turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, working left to right, sc in each sc around flap for reverse sc. Fasten off. Sew button in center of front about 4” from top edge.

STRAP (Make 2): With a double strand of A, skip first 5 sc on top edge of bag, join in next sc; ch 1, sc in same sc and in next 2 sc; turn – 3 sc. Work 75 rows of sc. Fasten off, leaving a long sewing strand. Leaving last 5 sc of top
edge free, sew end of strap to opposite edge of same side of bag.

LITTLE POCKET: With A, ch 16. Work same as Large Pocket over 15 sts to **. Fasten off. Fold in half and sew side seams. Join A at seam; ch 1, sc around top edge; join with a slip st in first sc; ch 20, slip st in 2nd ch from hook and next 7 ch; hold chain next to top edge of bag front 6 sts from strap and slip st together the next 3 ch and next 3 sc of bag front, then slip st in remaining ch; slip st in first slip st. Fasten off. The little pocket will hold a cell phone and can be used on inside or outside of bag.