Kitty Tote

I made this for my friend Toni as a Christmas present. Its a variation on the kittens in a row afghan. Enjoy!

Kitty Tote

By Sue Usiatynski

Size:
10.5” wide, 10” high without handles

Materials:
3 colors worsted weight yarn
(2.5 oz of color A, 1.5 oz of colors B and C)
H hook
Yarn needle
5” store bought purse handles (round or D shaped)

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
Rnd= round
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch

Special stitches:
Shell = [2dc, ch 1, 2dc]
Puff = [YO, insert hook either between shells (Row 4 only) or top of previous puff 2 rows (all the rest of the puffs) below, YO, draw up loop to height of row] 4 times (9 loops now on hook), YO, draw through 8 of the loops on hook, YO, draw through remaining 2 loops on hook.

Note:
Ch 3 counts as first dc.

Pattern:

With color A: ch 39

Rnd 1: 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 36 ch, 4sc in last ch, now working on unused side of chain, sc in next 36 ch, 2sc in same ch as first 2sc, join with sl st in 1st sc. This is outside of tote. (80 sc)

Rnd 2-5: ch 1, sc in joining and around, join with sl st in 1st sc. (80 sc)

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next, skip 2 st, 2dc in next st, ch1, 2dc in next st, (skip 3 st, 2dc in next, ch 1, 2dc in next), repeat ( ) 5 more times, skip 2 st, dc each of the next 4 st, skip 2 st, 2dc in next st, ch 1, 2 dc in next st, repeat ( ) 6 times, skip 2 st, dc in last 2 st, join with sl st in top of ch 3. (8 dc, 14 shells)

Rnd 7: Ch 3, dc in next st, skip next 2 st, work shell in next ch 1 space, (skip next 4 dc, work a shell in next ch 1 space) repeat ( ) 5 more times, skip next 2 st, dc in next 4 st, skip 2 st, repeat ( ) 7 times, skip 2 st, dc in last 2 st, join with sl st in top of ch 3, change to color B this time only. (8 dc, 14 shells)

Rnd 8: Ch 3, dc in next st, skip next 2 st, (shell in ch 1 space, puff stitch between shells 2 rows below), repeat ( ) 5 more times, work shell in next ch 1 space, skip 2 st, dc in next 4, skip 2 st, repeat ( ) 7 times, work shell in last ch 1 space, skip 2 st, dc in last 2 st, join with sl st in top of ch 3. (8 dc, 14 shells, 12 puffs)

Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc in next st, skip next 2 st, work shell in ch 1 space, (skip next 5 st, work shell in top of next ch1), repeat ( ) 5 more times, skip 2 st, dc in next 4, skip 2 st, repeat ( ) 7 times, skip 2 st, dc in last 2 st, join with sl st in top of ch 3, change to color C this time only. (8 dc, 14 shells)

Rnd 10-23: repeat Rnds 8 and 9 seven times. Color changes: change to color A at the end of Rnds 11, 17 and 23, change to color B at ends of Rnds 13 and 19, change to color C at the ends of Rnds 15 and 21.

Rnd 24: repeat Rnd 8. Do not change color at the end of this Rnd.

Rnd 25: Ch 3, dc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, sc in ch 1 space, hdc in next st, dc in next st, (dc in top of puff and next st, hdc in next st, sc in ch 1 space, hdc in next st, dc in next) repeat 5 more times, dc in next 5 st, hdc in next st, sc in ch 1 space, hdc in next st, dc in next, repeat ( ) 6 times, dc in last 2 st, join with sl st in top of ch 3. (90 st)

Note about Rnd 25: This Rnd is done to even out the waves. You will basically be putting dc in top of the 8 stand-alone dc, dc in top of puffs and (dc, hdc, sc, hdc, dc) across the shells.

Rnd 26-27: ch 1, sc in joining and around, join with sl st in 1st sc, finish off, weave in end. (90 sc)

Handle tabs:

First tab: Join color A with a sl st in 14th st from where you finished off.

Row 1: ch 1, sc in joining and next 18 st. (19 sc)

Row 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. Finish off at the end of Row 5 leaving a long tail for sewing. (19 sc)

Note: Make sure 5 rows are enough to cover your handles. You may have to do more depending on the type of handles you have.

Second tab: Join color A with a sl st in 27th st from where you finished off first tab.

Row 1-5: repeat Rows 1-5 from first tab. See note above from first tab.

Finishing:

Place handle on inside of first tab and fold tab toward inside of tote. Using tail from tab, sew tab to inside of tote to Rnd 26. Repeat on other side for second handle.

Weave in all ends.