Secret Garden Tote Bag

Crochet a beautiful, feminine tote bag for almost any occasion. Take it to the beach, to shop at your local farmer's market, or gift it to the bride for her to carry her things in on her special day. This is the revised and updated version of this bag! It features sturdy handles and a tighter stitch so that your bag will not stretch out as quickly **This pattern is available for FREE on my website, (visit pattern website link above), or you can download it here on Ravelry as a printable, ad-free PDF** **Difficulty:** Intermediate **Materials Needed:** 4mm hook, or hook needed to obtain gauge (bag body) 3mm hook (handles) 360, 450 yds #4 Lily Sugar 'n Cream yarn in Ecru or color of your choice for bag and handles, 75 yds in Jute, or color of your choice for handles alone. Yarn needle Scissors 2 yds 4.5mm natural cotton cord for center of bag handles. 8 small flower buttons per bag Sewing needle and thread (Optional): stiff plastic sheet (plastic canvas works as do those clear cutting boards) to reinforce bottom of bag **Stitches Used:** ch= chain sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet hdc = half double crochet dc = double crochet BPsc = back post single crochet rsc = reverse single crochet (crab stitch) **Additional Terms:** hdc in the 3rd loop = Look at the top of the stitch, and locate the sideways “V”, bend the stitch to look at the back*, and you should see another “V”. You’ll be working into the back loop of that “V”, this is called the 3rd loop. 3dc cluster: YO, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, YO, draw through 2 loops (1st stitch of cluster made), YO, insert hook into same st, pull up a loop, YO draw through 2 loops (2nd st of cluster made), YO, insert hook into same st, pull up a loop, YO, draw through 2 loops (3rd st of cluster made), YO, draw through all loops on hook. sp/sps = space/spaces st/sts = stitch/stitches prev = previous **Gauge:** 16 sc stitches in 4" **Measurements:** Small: 10 1/2" tall by 11" wide, excluding handle Medium: 10 1/2" tall by 13" wide, excluding handle **Additional Notes:** The original tote bag pattern is included at the bottom of the post. See pattern for more notes.