Vote Tote Bag

Get in the spirit and vote. Make this free crochet bag pattern from Caron International Yarns to tote around with you during the voting season. It's an easy pattern for you to crochet.

Materials:

• Caron International's Simply Soft Eco (80% Acrylic, 20% NatureSpun™ Polyester): 11 oz (A), 1/2 oz (B), 1/2 oz (C)
• Shown in: #0002 Natural (A); #0012 Wine Country (B); #0026 Dark Denim Wash (C).
• One size US J-10 (6 mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle

GAUGE

In single crochet, 16 sts and 20 rows = 4"/10 cm.

In (sc, dc) stitch pattern, 16 sts and 15 rows = 4"/10 cm.

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (slip st).

SPECIAL TERM

sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together – [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] twice times, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

sc3tog: Single crochet 3 together – [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 3 times, yarn over and draw through all 4 loops on hook.

sc5tog: Single crochet 5 together – [Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop] 5 times, yarn over and draw through all 6 loops on hook.

BAG

Back

With A, chain 57.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat form * across, turn—56 sts.

Rows 2–42: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, sc in next dc; repeat from * across, turn. Fasten off.

Bottom

Row 43: Working in front loops only, join A with sc in 7th st (the 7th st should be a dc), sc in next 43 sts; leave remaining 6 sts unworked, turn—44 sc.

Rows 44–53: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. Fasten off.

Front

Row 54: With A, ch 6, sc in 44 sts of Row 53, ch 7, turn.

Row 55: Working in each ch and in front loops of sc only, sc in second ch from hook, dc in next st, *sc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * across, turn—56 sts.

Rows 56–96: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn. Fasten off.

STRAPS (make 2)

With A, chain 112.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each remaining ch across, turn—111 sc.

Rows 2–4: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. Fasten off.

POCKET (make 1 – optional)

With A, chain 33.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, dc in next ch, *sc in next ch, dc in next ch; repeat from * across, turn—32 sc.

Rows 2–22: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc; repeat from * across, turn. Fasten off.

LETTERS (make 1 of each)

V: With B, chain 27; 5 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, sc5tog, sc in next 10 ch, 5 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 12 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

O:

Row 1: With C, chain 25; 2 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next 6 ch, [2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch] twice, sc in next 6 ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch, 2 sc in next ch; join with slip st in first sc—32 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, *[sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] twice, sc in next 4 sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc] twice; repeat from * once more; join with slip st in first sc—40 sc. Fasten off.

T:

Row 1: With B, chain 16, 5 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, sc3tog, sc in next 9 ch, 5 sc in next ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 9 sts; leave remaining portion of opposite side of foundation ch unworked, ch 5. Fasten off.

Row 2: Join B with slip st in last sc made in Row 1 and prepare to work along ch-5; sc3tog over first 3 ch, sc in next ch, 5 sc in last ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; continuing along unworked portion of opposite side of foundation ch across top of 'T', sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts; join with slip st in first sc of Row 1. Fasten off.

E:

Row 1: With C, chain 22; 5 sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 11 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 3 ch, 5 sc in next ch; working along opposite side of foundation ch, sc in next 2 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 4 sts, ch 5, dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, skip next st (along opposite side of foundation ch), sc in next 4 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 2 sts; join with slip st in first sc. Fasten off.

FINISHING

Sew Letters to Tote: Sew 'V' 3"/7.5cm below top edge of front of tote and 2 3/4"/7cm from left side edge. Sew 'E' 3"/7.5cm below top edge of front of tote and 2 3/4"/7cm from right side edge Sew 'O' and 'T' evenly spaced between the 'V' and 'E.'

Sew Pocket to Tote (optional): Center pocket over back of tote and sew in place.

Sew Sides of Tote: Fold up front and back of tote, bending sides of front and back along side edges of bottom. With A, sew side and bottom edges together.

Sew Straps to Tote: With A, sew ends of one strap about 4"/10cm from each side of front. Repeat with second strap on back of bag.

Using yarn needle, weave in ends.