Knotted Rainbow Tote Bag

The "knotted" part of this rainbow is the handles! I've never made handles like this before, but I love them! They are quick and easy to crochet (because we all know when you get to the handles, you're eager to finish the project), and because of the way they are added to the bag, they are very easy to replace if they get dirty or damaged.

And even better, you can adjust the total strap length as needed. The folded design should keep them from stretching too much, but if you find they are too long or short for you… just move the knot! If you prefer a crossbody style, just make a longer strap… short handles, make them shorter! If you prefer it not so knotty, you can follow these bag handle instructions instead. And if your strap is unusually stretchy, insert a non-stretchy ribbon before Row 4 and tie it right along with the crocheted handles!

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 14" wide x 15.25" tall excluding handles

Materials:

• Hook: I (5.5 mm)
• 450 yds Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton (100% cotton; Aran yarn symbol 4, 99 yds, 2.01 oz)
  
  Color A: Blueberry : 1 ball;
  Color bottom: Vanilla: 2 balls;
  Color C: Tropic Breeze: 1 ball;
  Color D: Snap Pea: 1 ball;
  Color E: Citrus: 1 ball;
  Color F: Hot Pepper: 1 ball;
  
• Stitch Markers

Gauge: 13 sts X 7 rows = 4" in dc


Abbreviations, Notes, Tips and Links:

• fdc: Foundation double crochet;
• making bag bottoms
• changing colors for striped patterns
• making handles for bags
Special Stitches


• Beg Cluster: ch 2, [yo, insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through first 2 loops on hook] twice, yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
• Cluster: [yo, insert hook in indicated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through first 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
ALTERNATE ROW 1 (to avoid foundation stitch if desired): Ch 42, skip the 2 chs closest to the hook, dc in each remaining ch across; turn. (40 sts)>

Instructions:

• Row 1: Color A, fdc 40; turn. (40 sts)
• Row 2 - 4: Ch 2 (does not count as st), dc in each st across; turn. (40 sts)
• Round 5: (See linked making bag bottoms tutorial above for more info)
  Ch 2, dc in each st across,
  turn work 90 degrees to dc 8 sts across ends of rows,
  turn work 90 degrees to dc 40 across the foundation ch,
  turn work 90 degrees to dc 8 sts across ends of rows;
  join to 1st dc of the round with Color B. (96 sts)
• Round 6: Continuing with color B, ch 1, sc in 1st st, ch 1 skip next st,
  *sc in next st, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around; join with Color A. (48 sc)
• Round 7: Continuing with Color A, sl st into next ch sp, beg cluster in same ch-1 sp, ch1, skip next st,
  *cluster in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st;
  repeat from * around, join with Color B. (48 clusters)
• Round 8: Continuing with Color B, ch 1, sc in 1st ch sp, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around; join with Color A. (48 sc sts)
• Round 9: Continuing with Color A, sl st into next ch sp, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), skip next st, *dc in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join with Color B. (48 dc sts)
• Round 10: Repeat Round 8.
• Round 11: Repeat Round 7, break Color A. (48 clusters)
• Round 12: Continuing with Color B, ch 1, sc in 1st ch sp, skip next st, *sc in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around; join with Color C. (48 sc sts)
• Round 13: Continuing with Color C, sl st into next ch sp, beg cluster in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next st, *cluster in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join with Color B. (48 clusters)
• Round 14: Repeat Round 12.
• Round 15: Continuing with Color C, sl st into next ch sp, ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), skip next st, *dc in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join with Color B. (48 dc sts)
• Round 16: Repeat Round 12.
• Round 17: Continuing with Color C, sl st into next ch sp, beg cluster in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next st, *cluster in next ch sp, ch 1, skip next st; repeat from * around, join with Color B, break Color C. (48 clusters)
• Round 18 – 23: Repeat Round 12 – 17 replacing Color C with Color D.
• Round 24 – 29: Repeat Round 12 – 17 replacing Color C with Color E.
• Round 30 – 35: Repeat Round 12 – 17 replacing Color C with Color F.
• Round 36: Repeat Round 12; break Color B, join with Color F.
• Round 37: Continuing with Color F, ch 1, sc in each st and ch sp around; join. (96 sts)
• Round 38: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join. (96 sts)
• Round 39: (See linked "making handles for bags" tutorial above for more info on stitch marker placement) Mark 4 sts where the handles are to be attached, ch 1, sc in each unmarked stitch, at each marked st [ch 1, skip the marked st]; join. (92 sc sts, 4 chs)
• Round 40: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch sp around; join. (96 sts)
• Round 41: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join and break Color F. (96 sts)


Handle Instructions (make 2):


• Row 1: Ch 81 (or to desired length), skip the ch closest to the hook, sc in each remaining ch across; turn. (80 sts)
• Row 2 and 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. (80 sts)
• Row 4: Fold handle lengthwise at Row 2, so that Row 1 meets Row 3; ch 1, sc through both layers across; break yarn. (80 sts)
• Assembly: Insert each end of a handle through a hole made in Round 39 above, from the inside of the bag to the outside. Tie a knot in the end of the handle to secure.