Resembling a vintage straw tote bag, the Spring Fling Floral Tote is your perfect springtime accessory. With sturdy handles and a brightly-lined inside, this tote is perfect for all your sunny adventures.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 12 ½” tall, 14” across, base is 10” across x 3” deep
Gauge: 4 linked dc rows = 3”, 10 linked dc sts = 4”
Materials
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (100% acrylic; 364 yards [333 meters]/198 grams): #334 Buff (1 skein), #624 Tea Leaf (1 skein), #726 Coral (1 skein), #320 Cornmeal (1 skein), #706 Perfect Pink (1 skein)
Hooks: US size K/10 (6.5 mm) and US size G/6 (4.5 mm) hooks
Notions: Large eye yarn needle, pair of bamboo purse handles, magnetic snap closure, ½ yd fabric and medium wt fusible interfacing for optional lining
Special Stitches
Linked Double Crochet: Ch 3 and insert the hook in the 2nd ch from the hook, yo and pull up a loop, insert the hook in the 4th ch from the hook, and yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through the first two loops on the hook, yo and pull through the last 2 loops on the hook.
Next Linked Double Crochet: Insert the hook down through the horizontal bar in the center of the previous stitch, yo and pull up a loop, insert the hook into the next chain, and yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through the first two loops on the hook, yo and pull through the last 2 loops on the hook. Repeat to the end of the chain. Join on top of first linked dc.
Next row of Linked Double Crochet: Ch 3 and insert the hook in the 2nd ch from the hook, yo and pull up a loop, insert the hook in the first st of the row, and yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through the first two loops on the hook, yo and pull through the last 2 loops on the hook. Continue across row or round as per directions above. After you are done with all the rounds you can take a few stitches working from the wrong side to close any gaps between first st and last linked dc.
Pattern Notes
Work with 2 strands tog unless stated. Do not join rounds unless stated.
Pattern
Rnd 1: With 2 strands of Buff and size K hook, ch 20, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 17 chs, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side of start ch, sc 17 chs. (40 sts)
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in first 3 sts, sc in next 17 sts, 2 sc in next 3 sts, sc in next 17 sts. (46 sts)
Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times, sc in 17 sts, rep [ ] 3 times, sc in next 17 sts. (52 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] 3 times, sc in next 17 sts, rep [ ] 3 times, sc in next 17 sts. (58 sts)
Rnd 5: Work in Bklps, sc in each st around, join with slst in first st. (58 sts)
Rnd 6: Work in both lps, Ch 3, work linked dc in each st around, join in top of first st. (58 sts)
Rnds 7-8: Rep Rnd 6.
Rnd 9: With Tea Leaf green, sc in each st around, join. (58 sts)
Rnd 10: With Perfect Pink, join with sc in first st, [sk next st, 3 dc shell in next st, sk next st, sc in next st], rep [ ] around, end with 3 dc shell in last st, join with slst in first st. Fasten off. (15 shells)
Rnd 11: With Cornmeal yellow, join with sc in center st of first shell, [3 dc shell in next sc, sc in center st of next shell], rep [ ] around, join with slst in first st. Fasten off. (15 shells)
Rnd 12: With Coral, join with sc in center st of last shell, [3 dc shell in next sc, sc in center st of next shell], rep [ ] around, join with slst in first st. Fasten off. (15 shells)
Rnd 13: With Tea Leaf green, join with sc in first st, sc in each st around, join in first st. (60 sts)
Rnd 14: With Buff, join with slst 3 sts before the last joining, ch 3, (This ch 3 should now be directly above the first st of previous dc rounds) – work linked dc in first st, linked dc in next 2 sts, [2 linked dc in next st, linked dc in next 3 sts] 3 times, linked dc in next 18 sts, rep [ ] 3 times, linked dc in next 15 sts, join in top of first linked dc. (66 sts)
Rnds 15-19: Ch 3, work linked dc in each st around, join in top of first st. (66 sts)
Rnd 20: With Tea Leaf green, sc in each st around, join with slst in first st. (66 sts)
Rnd 21: With Perfect Pink, join with sc in first st, [sk next st, 3 dc shell in next st, sk next st, sc in next st], rep [ ] around, end with 3 dc shell in last st, join with slst in first st. Fasten off. (17 shells)
Rnd 22: With Cornmeal yellow, join with sc in center st of first shell, [3 dc shell in next sc, sc in center st of next shell], rep [ ] around, join with slst in first st. Fasten off. (17 shells)
Rnd 23: With Coral, join with sc in center st of last shell, [3 dc shell in next sc, sc in center st of next shell], rep [ ] around, join with slst in first st. Fasten off. (17 shells)
Rnd 24: With Tea Leaf, join with sc in first st, sc in each st around, join in first st. Fasten off. (68 sts)
Rnd 25: With Buff, join with sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts joining one loop of purse handle, sc in next 9 sts, sc in next 2 sts joining one loop of next purse handle, sc in next 21 sts, sc next 2 sts, joining 2nd loop of same purse handle, sc in next 9 sts, sc next 2 sts joining 2nd loop of first purse handle, sc in last 20 sts, join with slst in first st.
Rnd 26: * Sc in next 2 sts overlapping the previous sts and thru purse handle loop again, slst around to the next handle loop, rep * around, join in first st. Fasten off.
Leaves
Updated 4/7/2022
Make 2 with green yarn. Ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 2 chs, dc in next 3 chs, 3 dc in last ch, ch 3 picot in last dc made, 2 dc in same ch, work on opposite side of start ch-8, dc in next 3 chs, hdc in next 2 chs, sc in last ch. Fasten off leaving a long strand for sewing.
Flowers
Use one strand yarn and size G hook.
Layer #1
Rnd 1: With Coral, cross yarn to form lp (otherwise known as a magic circle), ch 1, 7 sc in lp, tighten lp, do not join. (7 sts)
Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (14 sts)
Rnd 3: 2 sc in first st, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st], rep [ ] around. (21 sts)
Rnd 4: 2 sc in first st, [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] rep [ ] around. (28 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc in first st, hdc in same st, [2 sc in next 2 sts, (hdc, sc) in next st, **(sc, hdc) in next st], rep [ ] around, end final rep at **. Fasten off.
Layer #2
Rnd 1: With Cornmeal, rep Rnd 1 of layer 1.
Rnd 2: Rep Rnd 2 of layer 1.
Rnd 3: Work (sc, hdc, dc) in first st, (dc, hdc, sc) in next st, [(sc, hdc, dc) in next st, (dc, hdc, sc) in next st], rep [ ] around, join in first st. Fasten off.
Layer #3
Rnd 1: With Perfect Pink, rep Rnd 1 of layer 1.
Rnd 2: Slst in first st, ch 1, (hdc, dc, hdc) in same st, [slst in next st, ch 1, (hdc, dc, hdc) in same st], rep [ ] around, join in first st. Fasten off.
Layer flower sections and leaves as you wish and attach to front of tote where the dc rnds are joined. This will somewhat cover any change in texture that might be noticeable.
Optional Lining
Iron fusible interfacing to fabric. Cut out oval piece to fit bottom of tote (rounds 1-4). Cut 2 pieces for front and back. Sew side seams together, then sew to oval bottom piece easing to fit. Fold top edge so it fits just below the top edge of inside of tote. Attach magnets to center of front and back underneath the top fold. Sew lining to top edge of tote either by hand or machine.