BAG FOR LIFE
Helen McLean’s sturdy bag has an airy mesh pattern – ideal for carrying fresh produce home from the shops.
■ King Cole Recycled Cotton Aran (85% cotton, 15% other fibres, 100g/160m), 2 balls of Yarn A Sage (1162),
1 ball of Yarn B Evergreen (1169)
■ A 5mm (US H/8) hook
TENSION
16 dc over 22 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in), using a 5mm hook
MEASUREMENTS
The bag measures 39cm (15 in) wide, 44cm (17 in) long
NOTES
The Bag is worked in one complete piece from the bottom up. Work in rounds and complete each round with a ss to the top of the first st unless otherwise stated.
BAG
Using Yarn A, ch50.
Round 1 Dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to last ch, 5dc into the last ch, (now working along the opposite side of the starting ch) dc in each st across, 4dc in first st, ss to first dc to join. [104 sts]
Round 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc into first 51 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of next 52 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in last st, ss to first dc to join. [108 sts]
Round 3 Ch1, dc into first 50 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, 2dc in ch-1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of next 51 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, 2dc in ch-1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in last st, ss to first dc to join. [114 sts]
Round 4 Ch1, dc into first 51 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 3 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 52 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 3 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in last st, ss to first dc to join. [118 sts]
Round 5 Ch1, dc into first 52 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 4 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 53 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 4 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in last st, ss to first dc to join. [122 sts]
Round 6 Ch1, dc into first 53 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 5 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 54 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 5 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in last st, ss to first dc to join. [126 sts]
Round 7 Ch1, dc into first 54 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 6 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 55 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in each of the next 6 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next st, dc in last st, ss to first dc to join. [130 sts]
Rounds 8-12 Ch1, dc into each dc around. [130 sts]
Round 13 Ch3 (counts as tr throughout), tr in next 2 sts, ch2, skip next 2 tr, (tr in each of the next 3 tr, ch2, skip 2 tr) 25 times, ss to top of beg ch-3 to join.
Round 14 Ch3, tr in next 2 tr, ch2, skip ch-2 sp, (tr in each of the next 3 tr, ch2, skip ch-2 sp) 25 times, ss to top of beg ch-3 to join.
Rounds 15-16 As Round 14.
Round 17 Ch1, dc into the st at the base of the ch, dc in each of the next 2 tr, (2dc into the ch-2 sp, dc in each of the next 3 tr) 25 times, ss to first dc to join. [130 sts]
Rounds 18-19 Ch1, dc in each st around, ss to ch1 to join.
Rounds 20-40 Repeat Rounds 13-19, 3 more times.
Rounds 41-42 Repeat Rounds 13-14. Change to Yarn B.
Rounds 43-44 As Round 14.
Rounds 45-47 Repeat Rounds 17 to 19.
Rounds 48-54 Repeat Rounds 13 to 19.
Round 55 Ch1, dc into the st at the base of the ch, dc in each of the next 28 sts, ch20, skip next 15 sts, dc in each of the next 50 sts, ch20, skip next 15 sts, dc in each of the next 21 sts, ss to first dc to join.
[100 sts, 40ch]
If you wish to change the size of the Handle you can increase or decrease the ch-sp.
Round 56 Ch1, dc into the st at the base of the ch, dc in each of the next 28 sts, dc in each ch, dc in each of the next 49 sts, dc in each ch, dc in each of the next 20 sts, ss to the first dc to join. [138 sts]
Rounds 57-58 Ch1, dc in each st around, ss to the first dc to join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.