Embark on a whimsical journey into an enchanted forest with the Woodland Whimsy Appliqué Tote. Begin by crocheting a practical and sturdy tote bag, perfect for carrying essentials wherever your adventures take you. Then, let your creativity bloom as you adorn the tote with charming woodland appliqués: delightful mushrooms in various shapes and sizes, intricately detailed leaves that dance in the breeze and a whimsical fox peeking out with a friendly smile.
Time: Day Project
Skill Level: Easy
Size:12” x 14” (30cm x 36cm)
Gauge: 17 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn: Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic; 306 yards [280 meters] / 3.5 ounces [100 grams]): 668 Rainforest (MC 2 balls), 961 White (CC1 1 ball), 779 Fox (CC2 1 ball), 617 Soft Red (CC3 1 ball), 603 Fern Green (CC4 1 ball), 917 Walnut (CC5 1 ball), 947 Chocolate (CC6 1 ball).
Hook: US size G/6 4.0 mm
Notions: Tapestry needle
Pattern Notes
The tote bag sides and straps are worked flat in pieces then assembled after motifs have been sewn in place.
Applique motifs are worked separately. Fox, acorn and toadstool are worked flat, toadstool dots and leaves are worked in the round.
Starting ch does not count as a st throughout.
Pattern
Tote Bag Sides
Make two.
With MC, ch 51.
Row 1: Beg in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (50 sc sts at end of this row)
Rows 2-66: Ch 1, (does not count as a st here and throughout), turn, sc across.
Fasten off.
Straps
Make two.
With MC, ch 7.
Row 1: Beg in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (6 sc sts at end of this row)
Rows 2-116: Ch 1, (does not count as a st here and throughout), turn, sc across.
Fasten off.
Fox
With CC1, ch 11.
Row 1 (RS): Beg in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. (10 sts at end of this row)
Row 2: Ch 1, (does not count as a st here and throughout), turn, sc 4, sc2tog, sc 4. Fasten off CC1, join CC2. (9 sts at end of this row)
Row 3: With CC2, ch 11 to form tail, turn, beg in 2nd ch from hook, hdc 9, 2 hdc in next ch, sc 3, sc2tog, sc 2, 2 sc in next st, sc 1. (20 sts at end of this row)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first st, sc 1, 2 sc in next st, sc 1, sc2tog, sc 4, 2 hdc in next st, hdc 3, hdc2tog, hdc 1, hdc2tog. Fasten off. (19 sts at end of this row)
Ear
With RS facing, join CC2 at 5th st of Row 4.
Row 1: Ch 1, hdc2tog. (1 st at end of this row)
Fasten off.
To form Front Leg, with CC2, ch 7.
Row 1: Beg in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in next st, sc 5. (7 sts at end of this row)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
To form Back Leg, with CC2, ch 7.
Row 1: Beg in 2nd ch from hook, sc 1, 2 sc in next st, sc 3, 6 sc in last st, rotating as you go. (12 sts at end of this row)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
With CC1 and tapestry needle, embroider detail to end of tail and center of ear. With CC6, embroider eye.
Mushroom
Worked from top down.
Make two.
With CC3, ch 3.
Row 1 (RS): 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in next st. (4 sts at end of this row)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next st, sc 2, 2 sc in last st. (6 sts at end of this row)
Rows 3-4: Ch 1, turn, sc across.
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, 2 sc in next st, sc 4, 2 dc in last st. (8 sts at end of this row)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc across.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, (sc 2, 2 sc in next st) twice, sc 2. Fasten off CC3. (10 sts at end of this row)
Row 8: Join CC5 in 4th st, ch 1, sc 4. (4 sts at end of this row)
Rows 9-10: Ch 1, turn, sc across. (4 sts at end of this row)
Fasten off.
To form Dot 1, with CC1, mr. Working into mr, 6 sc. (6 sts at end of this rnd)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
To form Dots 2 and 3, with CC1, mr. Working into mr, 4 sc. (4 sts at end of this rnd)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Sew dots, with Dot 1 in the central area, Dot 2 to one side and Dot 3 to the lower edge, or in preferred arrangement.
Acorn
Make two.
With CC5, ch 2.
Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (2 sts at end of this row)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, (2 sc in next st) twice. (4 sts at end of this row)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc across.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc 1, (2 sc in next st) twice. Fasten off CC6. (6 sts at end of this row)
Row 5: With CC6, ch 1, turn, sc 1, 2 sc in next st, sc 2, 2 sc in next st, sc 1. (8 sts at end of this row)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, 4 sc4tog. (4 sts at end of this row)
Fasten off.
To form stalk, join CC6 in 2nd st Row 6, ch 1, hdc 2. (2 sts at end of this row)
Fasten off.
Oak Leaf
Make two.
With CC4, ch 12.
Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, *ch 4, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc 1 in next st of foundation ch, sc 1*; rep from * to * once, ch 5, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, dc 1 in next ch, hdc in next ch, sk 1 ch of foundation ch, sc 2, 3 hdc in last st, rotate to work into opp side of foundation ch, sc 2, ch 5, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, dc 1 in next ch, hdc 1 in next ch, sk 1 st of foundation ch, sc 2, rep from * to * twice omitting last sc, ss.
Fasten off.
Green Leaf
Make two.
With CC4, ch 12.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, hdc 1, dc 4, hdc 2, (2 sc, 2 ch, sl to join) in last ch, rotate to work into opp side of foundation ch, sc 2, hdc 4, sc 1, ss.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Block pieces to dimensions shown. Place front panel RS facing and sew applique motifs in place one by one as shown or as desired, using whipstitch or your preferred st. Sew body of fox in place and sew each leg in position. Layer oak leaves and acorns, so that stalks meet or as preferred. Sew leaves and mushrooms as preferred.
Position strap with ends on WS of panel and sew up, then rep for back panel. Align panels with WS tog and sew up.
I can’t wait to make this gif my granddaughter. She just graduated college and is now a park ranger!