Crochet Striped Tote

 

I consider myself a beginner when it comes to crocheting. I've only crocheted scarves up to this point, but when I saw the pattern for this tote, I really wanted to try it! It's so fun and cheery. So, I printed out the pattern and went for it.

I'm so glad I did! It certainly wasn't like crocheting a scarf, but I wouldn't call it difficult either (the pattern is actually marked as "easy", so I should have known I'd be ok). Even the handles...

...which I worried about until I got up to them, weren't all that difficult.

If you'd like to give it a try, you can find the pattern here on Lion Brand Yarn's website. You do have to sign up for an account, but it's free and totally worth it. You'll have access to lots and lots of patterns, and they don't pester you with too many emails (they do send a few, but I'm sure you could opt out of them). Oh, and I'm not getting paid to recommend their site. Other than having my email in their database, they don't even know I exist. :-)

A couple little notes about the pattern:

• The tote is worked in the round, but if you've never done that before, don't worry! I hadn't either, but I think the pattern explained it pretty well.
• I was a bit rusty crocheting and had a little difficulty with the hdc2tog stitch at first. I found this video to be very helpful.
• If you have trouble with any other stitches, I'd just Google the stitch and videos should come up explaining them. A cashier at JoAnn's told me that when I first started crocheting, and it's been a great tip!

Have fun crocheting!

I'm linking at these great parties:
Mondays: Sweet Sharing Monday *  The Girl Creative * Destination: Cutesy Monday * What's In The Gunny Sack * Etcetorize * Made by you Monday*Make It Yourself Monday*Mop It Up Mondays*Make The Scene Monday*Make It Pretty Monday*
Tuesdays: Riverton Housewives Roundup *  Show Me What You Got * Tuesday Time Out  * Tasteful Tuesdays * 
Wednesdays: Super Link Party * Show & Share * {Wow Me} Wednesday *From Dream To Reality*Create & Share*What I Whipped Up Wednesday*What We Wore & Made Wednesday*The Creative Spark Wednesdays* Milk & Cuddles*Made By Me Wednesdays*
Thursday: Pin'Inspirational Thursday * Recipe Roundup *A Crafty Soiriee * Creative Thursday *Taylor House Thursday*Transformation Thursday*Hookin Up With HoH*Creative Juice Thursday*Live Laugh Linky Thursday* Link Party Thursday*Taking A Time Out Thursday*
Fridays: Delicately Constructed Fridays * Flaunt It Friday * Financial Friday Link Up  *Friday Fun Party* Friday Flair*Pity Party*Frugal Friday*Friday Favorites*Weekend Craft Soiree*
Saturdays: Strut Your Stuff Saturday * Once Upon A Weekend * Sharing Saturday * Dare To Share Saturday * Craft, Create and Inspire * A Pinteresting Party*
Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday * It's Overflowing Sunday Party  * Cooking & Crafts Party