I finished this kit on the eighth of this month, it has just taken me a while to post. We were in the middle of our yearly yard sale. When my house gets to crowded and I am starting to have trouble finding a spot for everything I know it is time to have a sale. Obviously, this helps us clean some things out of our home that we have accumulated. As nice as it feels to get rid of some things, a yard sale is very time consuming. The great thing about any yard sale is, while its in progress I have an excuse to sit down for three days and crochet.
That brings us to our review today, the Classic Tote Bag from Annie’s Hook and Needle Club. I enjoyed this project so much that I immediately started and finished a second one. Whoever designed this bag did it in an ingenious way. The problem I always have with carrying some crochet tote bags are that the handles will sometimes stretch out. This bag was designed so that the handle is crocheted from the bottom of the bag to the top which evenly distributes the weight of the tote. Then, once you reach the top of the tote you are instructed to start crocheting with two strings of yarn to help reinforce the strength of the handles.
The kit came with two unmarked skeins of yarn, one off white and the second green; both in medium worsted weight yarn. I just need to use an F crochet hook from my personal tools and a tapestry needle to complete the Classic tote bag.
The kit also came with two patterns, one for crocheting and one for knitting. I will be working the crochet version from the kit. There is only one specialty stitch and that is the single crochet decrease (Single Crochet Decrease) making the skill level for this pattern marked easy.
There is one piece of advice I would like to caution the crocheter on. I would be sure and use stitch markers at the start of all four handles. It is very important for the success of this pattern that your front and back loop single crochet a alignment. If for any reason they do not, the outcome of the tote will not be as polished looking.
When I finished crocheting the tote I received from the kit I went in and crocheted a second one for my own personal use. The first one was just a little larger then I wanted, as a result I went down one hook size for the second one making it a perfect fit for the back baskets of my bicycle.
I would easily rate this patten a nine, only losing one point for not being able to duplicate the yarn that came with the kit. The pattern itself was easy to read and follow and there was even a crochet pocket on the inside when I had finished. I can easily see myself making another one in the future if the circumstances arise. What perfect timing this kit was for back to school.
Until next time, keep those hooks flying.
Hi Pamela,
I am also making this tote but in reading the instructions I have a couple of questions and I hope you can help me.
Question 1- On round 15, it reads to join off-white with sc in FIRST stitch. I’m not sure where the first stitch is to begin. This must matter because round 16 then begins the handle placement.
Question 2- Repeat round 16 until 10 inches. Each round is joined and then a chain 1 to begin the next round. The chain 1 will create a seam at a slant so my question is, does this mean the handle will be attached along that seam. I would think not but I can’t tell from the photos.
I have just finished the bottom green portion and starting the first round of the off-white.
Your help is truly appreciated.
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This is when stitch markers comes in handy. I would highly recommend them in the first stitch of every round and at the start of all four handles. When you crochet your first stitch in round 14, mark it and then when you start round 15, that will be the first stitch they are talking about.
The beauty of this pattern was that the handle was attached by crocheting into the back loop that was not used. This means as you crochet the handles you are also crocheting in the back loops that were not used as you crocheted the tote. This will not only reinforce the handles but also keeps them straight.
I hope this helps and answers your questions. If not please email me at crochetingwithpassion@gmail.com and I will be happy to help you with this. It really was a fun pattern to work. Make sure to include you name.
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Thanks Pamela for the prompt response. If I encounter a problem, I will let you know. If not, I’ll let you know how the tote turns out once I complete it.
Again Thank You,
Rose
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I look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy…
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