Crochet Patriotic Tote Bag

It’s Memorial Day weekend and with plans to be poolside for the next few days, I decided to whip up a festive Crochet Patriotic Tote Bag! I used double strands of Bernat Super Value in Royal Blue, Berry Red, and White which not allows for quick crocheting, but a super sturdy bag! It’s approximately 20 inches wide and 15 inches tall which allows for at least 4 towels, sunblock, goggles, snacks, and all the poolside (and beach bathing) necessities. A great project for the 4th of July holiday as well!

Materials:
– Bernat Super Value in Royal Blue, Berry Red, and White. I suggest getting two skeins of each so you can easily pull from the center and while crocheting with two strands at once. Shop these colors HERE at Yarnspirations.com.
– Size I (5.5mm) Crochet Hook
– Large Tapestry Needle

Tote Bag Pattern:
Starting with two strands of Blue yarn…
Chain 41, SC in second chain from hook and rest of the way down chain making 4 SC in last chain.
Now working on the other side of chain, SC in each chain making 4 SC in last chain, join to first SC, chain 1
Round 2: SC in first 39, 2 SC in next 4 stitches, SC in next 38, 2 SC in next 4 stitches, join, chain 1 (93 SC).
Round 3: SC in first 41, 2 SC in next 4, SC in next 42, 2 SC in next 4, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (101 SC)
Round 4: SC in first 42, 2 SC in next 8, SC in next 41, 2 SC in next 8, SC in last 2, join, chain 1 (117)
Round 5: In back loops only, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Round 6-13: Now working in both loops for the rest of the project, SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 14-16: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 17-19: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 20-22: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (117 SC)
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 23-25: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 26-28: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 29-31: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 32-34: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 35-37: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 38-40: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of Red yarn…
Round 41-43: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Switch to two strands of White yarn…
Round 44-46: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1 (115 SC)
Round 47: SC in first 15, chain 50, skip 25, SC in next 32, chain 50, skip 25, SC in last 17, join, chain 1
Round 48: SC in each stitch around and in each of the chains (these become the handles), join, chain 1
Round 49-50: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Even my Sister-in-laws 10lb pomeranian named Apollo was enjoying the tote bag!

Thank you to all who served in our armed forces! Happy Memorial Day!