The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry for $2:
Have you used this yarn before? Because I live in Canada and don't have Hobby Lobby, this is my first time using the yarn. Whenever we are in the US I try to get to a Hobby Lobby at least once. More if I can :) Luckily enough I always manage to shop on their 30% off weeks.

Yarn Bee Sugarwheel Cotton
(100% Cotton, 335 yards / 306 meters, 5 ounces / 142 grams)
I really wanted to do a bag as one of the weekend CALS but didn't have any cotton along when we were in TX for the winter, so went to Hobby Lobby to see what they had. This color was calling out to me! It reminds me of Autumn and I love Autumn colors! It's probably a good thing that we don't have Hobby Lobby in Canada & that they don't ship to Canada. lol I would be buying a lot more yarn.
This cotton is really really nice. It's definitely dk weight, used a 4.5 mm hook, but it doesn't split, is soft & very easy to crochet with.
Some time in January I think I did a survey in my FB group asking which style of bag people preferred to crochet. A flat bottom rectangle shape, or a round market bag shape. Way more followers preferred the flat bottom rectangle bag, so that's what I designed for the CAL.
The bottom was easy to figure out.... but finding different stitch patterns for the body was more challenging. Didn't want anything with too many large holes, didn't want anything too boring, wanted something with some fun and texture. Shouldn't be the difficult right?! lol
I let the color change as they wanted too, but when I changed skeins I did make it match. So had a small ball of left over yarn. This could easily be created with left over scrap yarn to make the different colors for the sections.
HOW THE CAL WILL WORK

The materials list etc is posted below. Tomorrow I will post the first section.
On June 29 I will pick 1 person, from those who have finished the bag and posted a photo, to win their choice of pattern from Jo's Crafty Hook!
Look for this graphic in the Canoe Mtn Designs Crochet & Friends FB group.

The pattern will always be free here.
If you would like a printed pdf, you can purchase it on Ravelry for $2:
Here are photos of what the testers created while making the bag.
They all did an amazing job!
LET'S GET STARTED!
CAL - Book Bag

MATERIALS
Yarn Bee Sugarwheel Cotton (100% Cotton, 335 yards / 306 meters, 5 ounces / 142 grams) Color: Citrus Grove - 2 skeins
Other Yarn Options: Any dk weight cotton yarn.
HOOKS & SUPPLIES
Hook US 7 / 4.5 mm
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Measuring Tape
Stitch Marker (Optional)
GAUGE
18 stitches = 4”, first 8 rounds = 4”
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
One Size: 13” across x 14.5” tall without the handles
PATTERN KEY (US Terms)
altch2 = alternate chain 2
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
dc3tog = double crochet 3 together
hdc = half double crochet
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet 2 together
slst = slip stitch
sp(s) = space(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side
YO = yarn over
SPECIAL STITCHES & TECHNIQUES
altch2: https://tinyurl.com/rve27dx
Written & Photo Tutorial: https://tinyurl.com/v9aatne
CLUSTER: 3 dc in the same stitch or chain space.
dc3tog: YO, insert hook in st, pull up a lp, 3 lps on hook, YO, pull through 2 lps, YO, insert hook in next st, pull up a lp (4 lps on hook), YO, pull through 2 lps (3 lps on hook), YO, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up a lp (5 lps on hook), YO, draw through 2 lps (4 lps left on hook), YO pull through all 4 lps left on hook.
sc2tog: Insert hook into the first stitch, YO, pull up a loop. You should now have two loops on your crochet hook. Insert your crochet hook into the next stitch in the row, YO, pull up a loop. You should now have three loops on your crochet hook. YO, pull the yarn through all three loops on your crochet hook. Video instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoN4n63a-zI
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Advanced Beginner
PATTERN NOTES
- Repeat instructions between the asterisks.
You will be working in the round, join with a slip stitch at the end of each round.
The chain 1 or chain 2 at the beginning of the round does not count as a stitch.
Chain spaces do not count as stitches.
Use 3 stitch markers in different colors, 1 for the first stitch of each round and 2 for the first sts of each corner.
INSTRUCTIONS
BASE
Round 1: ch 41, sc in the 2nd st from the hook and in the next 38 ch, place 5 sc in the last ch, (turn work and continue down the other side of the ch), sc in the next 38 ch, place 4 sc in the last ch. Join. (86 sts)
Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in the first st, sc next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next 2 sts, sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next 2 sts, sc next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next 2 sts, sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st. Join. (94 sts)
Round 3: ch 1, sc in the first st, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 7 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc next 6 sts. Join. (98 sts)
Round 4: ch 1, hdc in the first 2 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 38 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 9 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 38 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 7 sts. Join. (102 sts)
Round 5: ch 1, sc in the first 3 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 11 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 8 sts. Join. (106 sts)
Round 6: ch 1, hdc in the first 4 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 38 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 13 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 38 sts, 2 hdc in the next st, hdc in the next 9 sts. Join. (110 sts)
Round 7: ch 1, sc in the first 5 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 38 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 15, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 38, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 10 sts. Join. (114 sts)
NOTE: The piece should now measure 4” wide by 12.5” long.
The Yellow stitch markers are marking the first sts of each corner, the Pink stitch marker is the first st of each round. Using the stitch markers makes counting easier.
Round 8: ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.

MAIN BODY
Round 9 (RS): altch2, dc in each st around. Join. TURN
Round 10 (WS): ch 1, skip the joining st, sc in each st around. Join. TURN
Round 11 (RS): (altch2, 2 dc) in the first st, skip 2 sts, CLUSTER in the next st, skip 2 sts around. Join. TURN
Round 12 (WS): ch 2, dc3tog, ch 2 around. Join. TURN
Round 13 (RS): (altch2, 2dc) in the first ch sp, skip 1 st, CLUSTER in the next ch sp, skip 1 st around. Join. TURN
Round 14 (WS): ch 1, skip joining st, sc in each st around. Join. TURN
Round 15 (RS): skip joining st, altch2, dc in each st around. Join. TURN
Round 16 (WS): ch 1, skip joining st, sc in each st around. Join. TURN
Rounds 17 - 40: Repeat Rounds 9 - 16.

HANDLE 1
Starting at the main body joining st. You will be turning at the end of each row.
Row 1 (RS): ch 1, sc in the next 17 sts. (17 sts)
Row 2 (WS): ch 1, sc in the first st, sc2tog, sc across until 3 sts remain, sc2tog, sc in the last st. (15 sts)
Row 3 (RS): ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sts)
Rows 4 - 11: Repeat Rows 2 & 3. (7 sts)
Repeat Row 11 until desired length to shoulder.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
HANDLE 2
Lay the bag flat and find the opposite side of the handle just made. Mark the 17 sts. Join the yarn.
Repeat Rows 1 - 11 (7 sts)
Repeat Row 11 until desired length.
Fasten Off.
FINISHING
Place the narrow end of the handle together, sew together. Weave in ends.


LINKS:

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