Summer Sunfire

Design By Merri Purdy Email Questions or Comments to: merripurdy@verizon.net

Materials: 2 skeins of Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Batik (main color) 180 yards/skein partial skein of Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme Batik (contrasting color) Size USH8/5.00 mm crochet hook 2 purse handles 4 - buttons (or size of your choice) Stitch markers Fabric for lining (optional) Magnetic purse closure (optional)

Stitches Used: Chain (ch), Slip Stitch (ss), Single Crochet (sc), Crossed Single Crochet (sc in st, skip 1 st, *sc in next st, return to previously skipped st and sc, skip a st, repeat from*)

Notes: This bag is worked from the bottom up, primarily in one piece. All sc are crocheted under both loops. Each ch-1 sp counts as a stitch. The turning chain does not count as a st. The extra st added at the end of row 17 will allow you to continue to crochet in the established pattern stitch continuously without joining at the end of each round. (You need and odd number.)

Instructions Bag Foundation: (Worked in rows)

With main color Ch 51. Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to end. (50 sc), turn. Row 2: Ch 1. Sc in 1st st, ch1, skip next st, *sc in next st, ch1, skip next st, repeat from * to last two st. Sc in each of last two stitches. (26 sc, 24 ch-1 sp), turn. Row 3-16: Repeat row 2 fourteen more times for a total of 16 rows, turn. (Seed stitch pattern established here.) Row 17 (top edge): Ch 1. Sc in first st, pm in 1st st, then sc in each st across to end. Add one extra sc in last st *See notes above. (51 sc total). DO NOT FASTEN OFF. (The rectangular base of my bag measures approximately 5wide x 13long)

Main Section (Worked in the round)

Round 1: Turn piece 90 degrees and evenly work 17 sc along the side edge, turn piece 90 degrees; sc 50 st along bottom edge, turn piece 90 degrees and evenly work 17 sc along opposite side edge, turn piece 90 degrees. (You should be at the marked st.) (135 sc total) Round 2 Round 36: DO NOT ch 1 at the beginning of each round, just continue to work in the established pattern (sc 1, ch 1, skip 1 sc st, sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip 1 sc st) until you have completed 36 rounds. My bag measured 9 inches from the base. Feel free to move the stitch marker up as you complete each round, or if comfortable with the pattern stitch, remove the marker. End with a ss into next stitch or two to even out edge. Fasten off, weave in tail, or you may crochet over the tail as you complete the next section, as I did in my bag.

Top Bag Band

Attach contrasting color with a ss in any ch-1 sp. (I attached my cc to a center st along a short side edge. The center of each side edge is shown by the placement of the stitch markers in the photo above.) Round 1: Ch 1. Sc in the same ch-1 sp, sc in next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next st around. Ss in top of 1st sc, (135 sc), ch 1. Do not turn.

Round 2 6: Continue to sc in each st around the top edge for five more rounds. Ss in first sc of last round, ch1. Round 7: Sc in first st, sc in last st of round 6 (crossing back to the last sc of round 6), then skip 1st sc of round 7 already made, and skipping the next st of round 7, sc in next st, then go back to the st just skipped and sc in that st, around to the end. You are creating a round of crossed sc stitches which adds a nice textured look to the top of the bag. Basically, you will sc in a st, then go back and sc in the st before (the one you skipped). This creates the criss- cross X design along the top edge. Ss to top of sc at end of the round. Fasten off, weave in tail.

Side Band (Make 2)

Round 1: With contrasting color, ch 21. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch to the end. (20 sc) Turn piece 180 degrees and sc in each of the lower loops of the foundation chain sts. (20 sc) Round 2: Turn piece 180 degrees. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 18 sts, 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 18 sts, 2 sc next st. SS in the next st, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Finishing and Assembly

Line your bag if desired. There are many wonderful tutorials on how to line a bag that you can find on the web. The one that I have found to be the most helpful can be located here:
http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2008/1/tutorialsew-lining-for-crocheted-bag.aspx Center and pin each side band piece into place on the top edge of the bag band. One piece will be used for each side. Attach the side band to your bag by sewing one button into place on each end of the side band. See top photo on page 1 to help with the placement of each side band. I attached mine so that the side edges would fold in a bit when bag is set down. Attach your handles to the top bag band using a whip stitch. Add a closure tab and button to the center front if desired. Now go out and get some sun and enjoy your new bag! 4/26/2011