BASE

Base chain: using col. 504 and no. 6 crochet-hook, work * 3 ch, yo twice, insert the crochet-hook into 3rd ch from hook, yo and pull a new loop, yo and pull it through first 2 loops on crochet-hook, yo and pull it through the remaining 3 loops on crochet-hook (you have made one eyelet) *, rep. from * to * 6 times more. [7 eyelets = 18 cm]

From 1st to 3rd round: work around eyelets chain, following the diagram.

4th and 5th round: using col. no. 34 follow the diagram 1.

6th and 7th round: using col. no. 401 follow the diagram 1. Leave the work.

Measures of the base 37 x 17 cm.

Cut the lining as the same size of the base 2 cm of seam allowance.

Cut the grid with the same size as the base.

8th round: place the grid on the WS of the base, pick-up the loop you left on the 7th round and work in dc, inserting the hook each time in 1 base st. and 1 square of the grid, incorporating and securing the grid:1 ch (replaces the 1st dc), 1 dc in each dc skipping 1-ch-spaces, (1 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc) in each 1-ch-corner; 1 sc in beg. ch. Leave the work.

SIDE GUSSETS

Continue in granny stich changing the colours every 2 rounds, as desired or referring to the photo.

From 1st to 4th round: work following from the 1st to the 4th round of the side gussets (numbers highlighted in red) in the diagram 1, making the decreases in the 4 corners as indicated.

From 5th to 7th round: work 3 ch and 2 tr in the 1st space of 1 ch, 1 ch, (3 tr in the next space of 1 ch, 1 ch) rep. across the round; 1 sc in the 3rd starting-ch.

8th round: continue in granny stitch making 1 decrease on each of the 4 corners as follows: tr 3 together in 1-ch-space before the corner-group of 3 tr of the previous round, tr 3 together in 1-ch-space after the same corner-group of 3 tr.

9th round: work in granny stitch and in correspondence of each of the 4 corners work 3 tr in 1-ch-space before the 2 groups of tr 3 together, 1 ch, 3 tr in the space after the same 2 groups of tr 3 together.

10th round: work in granny stich without decreases.

11th round: work like the 8th round.

From 12th to 19th round: work in granny stich without decreases.

At the end of the 19th round, divide the work and continue separately in back-and-forth rows in the front and back of the bag.

UPPER SECTION OF THE SIDE GUSSETS

On the front of the last round of the bag, work 9 rows in granny stitch following diagram 2. Work the back of the bag as given for front.

FINISHING

Using the col. blue and crochet-hook no. 5, finish the top edge of the bag evenly with 1 round of dc and 1 round of sc. Cut the thread and close.

Hide among the sts any remaining thread ends.

Cut a rectangle of lining to fit with the inside of the bag 2 cm of seam allowance, then sew together the base of the previously cut lining and the side gussets, making a small hem around the top edge. Place the lining inside the bag, setting it evenly across the base, then sew the top edge of the lining inside the opening.

Using blue yarn or small rectangles of fabric, create 4 loops on the 4 corners of the top of the bag, to secure the ends of the bamboo handles. (photo)