2011 Asparagus & Mayonnaise

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Spring Petals Messenger Tote

Original pattern by Susan Gater 8 July 2011: Beta version this has not been test crocheted. I have done my best to be clear and accurate, but you know how it is. Please let me know if you find any problems with this pattern!

Materials:
Sugar n' Cream 100% cotton worsted weight in the following six colors: Main Color (MC): Hot Purple -- 2 skeins Color A: Hot Orange -- 2 skeins Color B: Hot Green -- 2 skeins Color C: Hot Pink -- 2 skeins Color D: Hot Blue -- 1 skein Color E: Yellow -- 1 skein Size US J (6mm) crochet hook Yarn needle Lining fabric and closure (optional)

Abbreviations: (This pattern uses U.S. crochet terms.)

ch = chain st = stitch sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet hdc = half double crochet dc = double crochet yo = yarn over

Notes:
1) Gauge is not terribly important for this piece. 2) Although it is always difficult for me to estimate, I
would rate the difficulty of this piece as Advanced Beginner to Intermediate. 3) Weave in ends as you go. I cannot stress this piece of advice strongly enough.

Directions:
Bag Bottom: Note: The Bag Bottom is worked back and forth as a flat piece.
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Ch 43. Row 1: Sc in second chain from hook and in each chain across (for this project, it is vital to work these sc's in the single back loop of each ch, leaving the double, "V"-shaped loops free), ch1, turn. (41 sc) Row 2: Sc in each st across, ch1, turn. (41 sc) Row 3-17: Repeat Row 2. Bag Body: Note: The Bag Body is worked in the round, starting by working around all sides of the Bag Bottom. For the remainder of the Bag Body, do not turn the work between rounds. Round 1: Sl st in back loop of first sc, ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in back loop only of next st and in each st across. Turn work 90 degrees and make 17 dc evenly across side. Turn work 90 degrees and dc in back loop only of free V's of beginning chain across. Turn work 90 degrees and make 17 dc evenly across side, connect with sl st to front loop of third ch of beginning ch3. (116 dc) Rnd 2: Working in front loops only, *(skip next st, 5 dc in next st, skip next st, sl st in next st,) 10 times,* sl st in next 18 st, repeat between *'s once, sl st in next 17 st, join with a sl st in the free back loop of the beginning ch3 of previous round. (20 petals [10 on each side] made) Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout). Working in the free back loops of the last round of dc's, dc in the next st and in each st around. Join with a sl st in the front loop of the first dc. (116 dc) Rnd 4: Working in front loops only, sl st in next two st, *(skip next st, 5 dc in next st, skip next st, sl st in next st) 9 times,* sl st in next 21 st, repeat between *and* once, sl st in next 20 st, join with a sl st to the joining sl st of the previous rnd. (18 petals [9 on each side] made). Finish Off. Rnd 5: With A, join with a sl st to the free back loop of the first st of the last round of dc's, ch 3. Working in the free back loops, dc in next st and in each st around, join with a sl st in the front loop of the first dc. (116 dc) Rnd 6: Working in front loops only, *(skip next st, 5 dc in next st, skip next st, sl st in next st) 10 times,* sl st in next 18 st, repeat between *and* once, sl st in next 17 st, join with a sl st in the free back loop of the beginning ch3 of previous round. (20 petals [10 on each side] made) Rnd 7: Ch 3. Working in the free back loops of the last round of dc's, dc in the next st and in each st around. Join with a sl st in the front loop of the first dc. (116 dc) Rnd 8: Working in front loops only, sl st in next two st, *(skip next st, 5 dc in next st, skip next st, sl st in next st) 9 times,* sl st in next 21 st, repeat between *and* once, sl st in next 20 st, join with a sl st to the joining sl st of the previous rnd. (18 petals [9 on each side] made). Finish off. Rnd 9-40: Repeat rounds 5-8 eight times more, changing colors after ever Rnd 8 repeat. As shown, the color
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sequence from here on is Color B, C, D, E, MC, A, B, C. Bag Handle: The Bag Handles are constructed back and forth as flat pieces, connected to the 17 stitches that comprise the sides of the bag. Stitch counts are included in these written instructions, but you can likely visualize where to place the handle by centering them on the sides of the bag between the petals of Rnd 40. Row 1: With the inside of the bag facing you, and working in the free back loops (which now may seem like front loops, since you've turned the work), join Color D with a sl st to the 58th st of the last round of dc's of the Bag Body. Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), dc in next st and in the next 15 st, ch 1, turn. (17 dc) Row 2: Working in front loops only, sl st in each st across, ch 1, turn. (17 sl st) Row 3: Working in free back loops of the last dc row, sl st in the first st, ch 3, dc in each st across, ch 1, turn. Row 4: Working in front loops only, sl st in each st across. Finish off. Turn. Row 5: Working in the free back loops of the last dc row, join Color E with a sl st to the first st, dc in each st across, ch 1, turn. Row 6: Working in front loops only, sl st in each st across, ch 1, turn. Row 7: Working in free back loops of the last dc row, sl st in the first st, ch 3, dc in each st across, ch 1, turn. Row 8: Working in front loops only, sl st in each st across. Finish off. Turn. Repeat Rows 5-8 until handle is half the desired length, changing colors after each Row 8 repeat. As shown the repeats for the first half of the handle are MC, A, B, C, D, E, MC, A, B, C, D. For the second half of the handle, repeat the steps of the first half, only this time joining color D to the 116th st (the last st) of Rnd 39 of the Bag Body. Whip stitch the two halves of the handle together on the back side of the work. Finishing With the right side of the bag facing you, and working in the free back loops, join MC with a sl st to the second st of Row 39 of the Bag Body. Ch 2 (counts as first hdc), hdc in next 39 st, work a Body-to-handle Decrease (insert hook in next st [the last st before the handle], pull up a loop, turn work so that you are now working up the side of the Bag Handle, insert hook around the post of the last dc of Row 1 of the Bag Handle, pull up a loop, yo and pull through all three loops on hook), 2 sc around same dc post of Bag Handle, 3 sc around next dc post and each dc post across untill you reach the last dc of the Bag Handle, 2 sc around last dc post, work a Handle-to-body Decrease (insert hook in same dc post, pull up a loop, turn work so that you are now working across the top of the Bag Body, insert hook in free back loop of the first st of Row 39 of the Bag Body, pull up a loop, yo and pull through all three loops on hook), join with sl st to the first hdc. Finish off.
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Repeat for the second side of the bag, joining MC to the 60th st of Row 39 of the Bag Body and ending the Handle-to-body decrease on the 59th st. Finish off. Weave in all those ends (for those that didn't take my advice at the beginning) ::grin:: Line the bag if desired and add a snap, hook-and-loop, or zippered closure.

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