I saw a really fantastic crocheted tote being made on a tv show and I did my own tweaking and this is what I got. The original was made with double strands of the same, solid color in varying stripes. I never saw a pattern but it's pretty straightforward-a base and sides with alternating single crochet and double crochet stitches throughout entire bag. My twist is the double strands of different, variegated yarns. The small tote is made with a starting chain of 14 using an H hook. The big tote is made with a starting chain of 20 using a J hook. Other than that they're roughly the same.
Using Lion Brand Tweed Stripes:
Start with both Caribbean and Woodlands colors, chain 14. Single crochet, double crochet across, increase at end and go back down other side until you get an oval the size you want the base of bag to be. Now only crochet in back loops of stitch to get the sides started and no more increasing past base. Continue with these two colors for a few inches, then switch the Caribbean with Mixed Berries and continue to crochet with double yarn of Woodlands and Mixed Berries for a few inches, then switch out Caribbean for Prism for several inches, then go with Caribbean and Woodlands again and then Prism and Woodlands and back to Mixed Berry and Prism or Caribbean. Finish edge with a crab crochet stitch and sew on some straps and the result is a fun, functional tote.
I haven't added a closure yet because I haven't decided if I want to make a lining. If I do the lining I will add a snap closure. If I don't do a lining I will add a button and lacing or elastic. Because it's double stranded it's a fairly sturdy bag on it's own but if it's to be used as a purse then it's nice to have pockets and I don't want to add pockets on the outside because I don't want to cover up all that glorious color combination.
