K 8.9 Felted Tote

By Berta Gilholm

Materials:

Lion Brand Martha Stewart Crafts Roving Wool, Bulky #5 100% wool, 1.75 oz/50 gm - 58 yds. -
3 skeins - #553 Umbrella, 2 skeins each of #513 Pimento and #548 Sea Glass Blue.
Crochet Hook size US L/11, 8mm.
Yarn Needle
Note: Tote is worked starting at the bottom in the round, work around ch row in rounds and join with slst on each round. Granny Pocket is made separately and then attached to tote. Strap is worked lengthwise in rows and then attached to tote and sewn together to finish. Weave in ends as work progresses. Ch 2 counts as first stitch of round/row unless otherwise indicated.
Approximate Finished Size: Tote = 10 inches wide x 12 inches High, Pocket = 7 ½ inches wide x 7 inches high, Strap = 34 ½  inches long x 2 ¼ inch circumference.
Abbreviations: Ch = chain, Dc = double crochet, Hdc = half double crochet, FO = fasten off, Jwslst = join with slip stitch in top of beginning stitch of current row,  Rnd = round, Sc = single crochet, Slst = slip stitch, St = stitch.
Instructions: Color Code = (A) Umbrella (B) Sea Glass Blue (C) Pimento
Main Tote: With (A) Ch 31 "Rnds will be started working arnd and in the ends of this ch"
Rnd 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, 3 more sc in last ch, (turn corner and work from opposite side of ch back to first sc)  sc in next 29 ch, 2 more sc in last ch, jwslst (64 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 63 sc, jwslst (64 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 hdc, jwslst (64 dc) FO (A) Join (B) in any dc,
Rnd 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in same dc and each dc around, jwslst (64 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 sc, jwslst (64 dc) FO (B) Join (C) between any dc,
Rnd 6: Ch1, 1 sc in between each dc around, jwslst (64 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 sc, jwslst (64 dc) FO (C) Join (A) in any dc,
Rnd 8: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 dc, jwslst (64 dc)  
Rnd 9 through Rnd16: Repeat Rnd 8, at end of round 16 FO (A) Join (B) in any dc, (64 dc)
Rnd 17 through Rnd 20: Repeat Rnd 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 including yarn changes at end of round 7, (64 dc)
Rnd 21 and Rnd 22: Repeat Rnd 8, at end of round 22, FO (A) Join (B) in any dc, (64 dc)
Rnd 23 through Rnd 26: Repeat Rnd 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 including yarn changes, at end of round 26 FO, and weave in ends.
Granny Square Pocket:
With (A) Ch 3, jwslst in first ch to form a ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 1, Sc 12 times in ring, (12 sc) FO (A) Join (C)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in any sc (corner made) 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, *3 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (20 dc (4-3dc corners + 8 side dc)) FO (C) and Join (B) in the center dc of any corner,
Rnd 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, *4 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (32 dc (4-4 dc corners + 16 side dc)) FO (B) and Join (A) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 4: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next  7 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (44 dc (4-4 dc corners + 28 side dc)) FO (A) and Join (C) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 5: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next  10 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (56 dc (4-4 dc corners + 40 side dc)) FO (C) and Join (B) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 6: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next  13 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (68 dc (4-4 dc corners + 52 side dc)) FO (B) and Join (C) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 7: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 16 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next 16 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (80 dc (4-4 dc corners + 64 side dc)) FO leaving a 3 foot tail for sewing.
Center the Granny Square on either side of the Main Tote, using the tail with a yarn needle attach  the Granny Square to the tote starting down one side, then across bottom and back up other side, FO and weave in ends.
Strap:
With (A) leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing before first ch, Ch 100,
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, (99 sc) FO (A) Join (B)
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 hdc in every sc across, turn (99 sc) FO (B) Join (C)
Row 3 and 4: Ch 1, 1 Sc in every st across, turn (99 sc) at end of row 4 FO (C) Join (A)
Row 5: Ch 1, 1 hdc in every sc across, turn (99 sc) FO (A) Join (B)
Row 6 and 7: Ch 1, 1 Sc in every st across, turn (99 sc) at end of row 4 FO (B) Join (C)
Row 8: Ch 1, 1 hdc in every sc across, turn (99 sc) FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing.
Finishing Strap:
1. Center one of the strap ends on the outside top of one side of the main tote and pin with markers; using the 8 inch tail sew the strap end to the tote with a yarn needle, FO and weave in end.
2. Repeat with the other strap end on the other side of the tote.
3. Take a 48 inch piece of either yarn (A) or (C) and using yarn needle and starting on one side of tote; sew the first and last rows of strap on the underside together from one side of tote to the other to form a tube, FO and weave in ends.

Felting:  Felt the purse twice.

Put a small hard piece of plastic the size you want the finished pocket inside the pre-felted pocket area of the purse to help separate that area, you can also put a piece in the purse area. Then put the purse in a pillow case and tie closed with a piece of yarn. Place pillow case, tennis balls or other heavy articles and detergent into washer. Wash on hot for a regular load until just before spin cycle (Do not use softener, it will stop the felting process) this usually takes me 15 minutes. Remove the purse from case, stretch to check for size after each washing and smooth pockets and shape straps.  When you are satisfied with the size lay it flat on a towel to dry, or hang it from a door knob, leave it there 2 days to dry in a dry warm spot. Don’t use the dryer during felting, it will mess it up. After tote is dry, shave lightly with a disposable razor to remove any fuzz.