BASE OF THE BAG

Using ecru yarn, cast-on 44 ch

Round 1: work 1 tr in 4th ch from hook (3 ch you have skipped, shape the 1st tr) and PM in this ch, 1 tr in each of next 40 ch, 6 tr in same base st. of last tr you have worked (these 7 tr shape the first corner); PM in 2nd and 6th st. of corner. Turn and continue on side opposite the base ch, working 1 tr in each ch until 40th ch (first M), 6 tr in 40th ch (shaping second corner-group), close with 1 sc in 3rd beg. ch (the 3-beginning-ch correspond to 7th tr of second corner); PM in 2nd and 6th sts. of corner-group. [92 tr included 3-beg-ch]

Round 2: 1 ch (not consider it 1a st.), 1 dc in base st. of 1st ch, 1 dc in each tr of round. Move 4 M into 4 corresponding sts. of prev. round, close with 1 sc in 1st dc. [92 dc]

Round 3: 3 ch (instead of 1st tr), * 1 tr in each dc until first M of corner-group, 7 tr in M-st., PM in 4th of 7-tr-group, 1 tr in each dc until second M of same corner-group, 7 tr in M-st., PM in 4th st. of 7-tr-group *, rep. from * to * once more, close with 1 sc in 3rd beg-ch. [120 tr included 3-beg-ch]

Round 4: repeat the second round. [120 dc]

Round 5: 3 ch (instead of 1st tr), * 1 tr in each dc until next M, 7 tr in M-st, PM in 4th st. of 7-tr-group * rep. from * to * 3 times more, 1 tr in each dc across the entire r., close with 1 sc in 3rd-beg-ch. [148 tr included 3-beg-ch]

Round 6: repeat the second. [148 dc]

The base of the bag measures 11 x 33 cm, approx. For reinforcing the perimeter of the base, work 1 round in sc around WS.

Round 7: move the yarn in front of work (RS) and working-loop in back (WS) as foll.: inset the hook from back to front, under 2 threads that shape the top loop of next dc, hook the working-loop and pass it through the loop of dc, from front to back, turn on WS. Using no. 4 crochet-hook, work 1 sc under 2 threads of top loops of each dc around the perimeter, close with 1 sc in 1st sc of round. [148 sc]

MAIN PART OF THE BAG

Round 1: on WS, turn the base moving the working-loop facing you, move the thread in back and work 1 ch (never consider it the 1st st.), 1 dc in same base st. of ch, 1 dc under 2 threads of loop of each sc across the entire r., close with 1 sc in 1st dc. PM in each of 4-corner sts. [148 dc]

Round 2: 1 ch and 1 dc in 1a st., *1 dc in each dc until the st. with M and work 2 dc inside it (increase), move M in 1st of these 2 sts., 1 dc in each dc until the st. with next M and work 2 dc inside it (increase), move M in 2nd of these 2 sts. *, rep. from * to * once more, 1 dc in each dc across the entire r., close with 1 sc in 1st dc. [4 increases = 152 dc]

Round 3: 1 ch (don’t consider it the 1a st.), 1 dc in base st. of 1st ch, 1 dc in each dc of the round. Move 4 M in 4 corresponding sts. of this round, close con 1 sc in 1st dc. [152 dc]

Rounds 4 and 5: repeat second and third round. [across the fourth round: 4 increases =156 dc]

Use blue yarn.

Round 6: 1 ch (don’t consider it the 1a st.),.), 1 dc in same base st. of 1st ch, 1 dc in each dc across the entire round, close with 1 sc in 1st dc. [156 dc]

Repeat the sixth round, reaching 28 cm approx., from beginning of main part of bag.

At the end of 5th round, alternate the colours as follow: 5 rounds with blue, 5 rounds with ecru, 5 rounds with blue, 5 rounds with ecru, 4 rounds with yellow, 4 rounds with ecru, 4 rounds with yellow, 12 rounds with ecru.

Last round: 1 sc in each dc, close with 1 sc in 1st sc. Cut and tie off the thread.

Hide the ends inside the fabric.

HANDLES

Shape 2 spiral strings.

Using ecru yarn and no. 3.5 crochet-hook, cast-on 5 ch, (leaving a long tail for sewing) and close in ring shape with 1 sc in beg. knot.

Round 1: 1 BPdc in each ch [5 dc]

Round 2: 1 dc in each dc, inserting the hook under both threads of top loop of each dc. [5 dc]

Round 3: 1 BPdc A in each of 5 dc of the round.

Round 4: 1 BPdc B in each of 5 dc of the round.

NB: this round shape the spiral of the string.

Repeat the fourth round reaching 47 cm in length approx., cut yarn and close, leaving a long tail for sewing.

FINISHING

Flatten the top edge of the bag, measure 13 cm on both edges of front and place 2 M, spaced 16 cm apart. Repeat on top edge of back. Sew the 2 ends of the handles inside last sc-round (opening), in correspondence of markers, then sew some reinforcing stitches, making sure that they aren’t visible on right side of bag.