Spike Stitch Tote Bag

Materials

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3.5mm Crochet Hook

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Approximately 100m of worsted weight in cream

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Approximately 300m of worsted weight in beige

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Tapestry needle

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Scissors

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Faux leather bag strap 80cm x 18mm (optional)

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8mm length bag rivets (optional)

Abbreviations

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CH – Chain

•

SS – Slip Stitch

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SC – Single crochet

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INC – Single Crochet Increase

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SPSC –Spike Stitch (see tutorial p. 4)

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BLO – Back loop Only

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FO – Fasten off

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Sts – Stitches

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* – Repeat sequence to end of round

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[ ] – Repeat as many times as stated

Notes

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Finished dimensions: Approx 15 inches (width) x 12 inches (height)

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Gauge: 19 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches or 10 cm in single crochet

and spike stitch

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This pattern uses American crochet terminology.

•

The number in brackets confirms the number of stitches in each

round.

•

I recommend crocheting around a second strand of yarn to help create

a firm structure for the bag, if doing this remember to check the work

at the end of each round for any bunching or puckering and pull the

carried yarn to stretch it out.

•

The pattern offers two options for the straps – one crocheted and the

other using pre-made bag straps.

•

For this pattern I used Lily Sugar 'n Cream Solids in Jute, Ecru and

White

Spike Stitch Tutorial

Place your hook in the next stitch one round below (the same position where

that stitch was worked in the last round).

Yarn over and draw up a loop to the height of the round:

yarn over and draw through both loops:

Pattern

Base:

In cream CH 55

Round 1: Start in the 2nd CH from the hook, SC Inc, SC 52, SC 4 in the last

stitch. Continue on the other side of the CH, SC 52, SC Inc in the last stitch.

(112)

(Note: to create a firmer structure, begin crocheting around another strand of

yarn in round 2)

Round 2: [SC Inc] x 2, SC 52, [SC Inc] x 4, SC 52, [SC Inc] x 2 (120)

Round 3: [SC 1, SC Inc] x 2, SC 52, [SC 1, SC Inc] x 4, SC 52, [SC 1, SC Inc] x 2

(128)

Round 4: [SC 2, SC Inc] x 2, SC 52, [SC 2, SC Inc] x 4, SC 52, [SC 2, SC Inc] x 2

(136)

Round 5: [SC 3, SC Inc] x 2, SC 52, [SC 3, SC Inc] x 4, SC 55, SC Inc, SC 4 (143)

Body:

Round 6: BLO SC 143

Round 7: *BLO SC, SPSC (143)

Round 8: *SPSC, BLO SC (143)

Round 9 – 47: Repeat rounds 7 and 8.

Change to white or cream:

Round 48: BLO SC 143 (143)

Rounds 49– 53: SC 143 (143)

Continue to either pre-made bag strap or crocheted bag strap instructions.

Pre-made bag strap:

Rounds: 54 – 57: SC 143

Round 58: SS 143

FO and weave in ends.

Attach pre-made bag strap approximately 4.5 inches from either side of the

bag using the rivets.

Crochet bag strap:

Continue crocheting until you reach the edge of the bag, place a stitch

marker, this is the new end of round 53.

The straps will be approximately 4.5 inches from the side of the bag. Before

the next round I recommend placing stitch markers to indicate where your

straps will be placed. This will ensure they are lined up before you start.

Place 1 stitch marker in the following stitches of the next round:

21st stitch, 49th stitch, 94th stitch, 121st stitch.

You can now adjust your stitch markers if straps are not positioned equally.

Proceed to the next round when you are happy with the placement of your

straps.

Round 54: SC 20 (or until the stitch before the first stitch marker), CH 100,

make sure the CH is not twisted and skip the next 29 stitches (or until the

stitch after the next stitch marker), SC 43 (or until the stitch before the next

stitch marker), CH 100, make sure the CH is not twisted and skip the next 29

stitches (or until the stitch after the next stitch marker), SC 22 (285 incl

CH’s)

Round 55: SC 20, place 1 SC in the next 100 CH sts, SC 43, place 1 SC in the

next 100 CH sts, SC 22 (285)

Rounds 56-57: SC 285 (285)

Round 58: SS 285 (285).

FO and weave in ends.

Finishing the crochet straps:

Re-attach the yarn to the first unworked stitch of round 53.

SS 29, continue slip stitching up the chain side of the handle.

SS to the first SS and FO.

Repeat on the other side.