Dimension:
Tote: 16″ (W) x 9″ (H) x 7″ (D) (exclude handles)
Handle: approx. 24″, 1 pair

Gauge / Tension: 4″ x 4″ = 12 sts x 15 row

Material & Tool:
1. Jute twine (2-ply), 250 yard
2. Crochet hook, H / 5mm
3. Rubber tubing (for handles support, optional)
4. Cord or batting (for handles cushioning, optional)
5. Tapestry needle
6. Safety pins

Abbreviations: (in USA terms)
sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
slst = slip stitch
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
fo = fasten off
Rnd = round

CROCHET PATTERN

Tote

Base (work on right side only)
Base chain – sl knot, ch 16.
Rnd 1 – ch 1, 2sc on next st, sc each ch on next 14 sts, 3sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along other side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 15 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [34 sts]
Rnd 2 – ch 1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [38 sts]
Rnd 3 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [46 sts]
Rnd 4 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [54 sts]
Rnd 5 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 20 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [62 sts]
Rnd 6 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [74 sts]
Rnd 7 – ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 24 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts]
Rnd 8 – ch1, sc each on next 86 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts]
Rnd 9 – ch1, *{sc each on next 3 sts, 2sc on next st,} repeat 3 times, sc each on next 17 sts, repeat {} 3 times, sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts]
Rnd 10 & Rnd 11 – ch1, sc each on next 98 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts]

Body (work on right side only)
Rnd 1 – Star Stitch on back loops only (A complete start stitch pattern is made of 2 rounds of crochet, Star Bottom and Star Top, view below for Star Stitch Crochet Pattern.). Treat a complete star stitch pattern as 1 round in the tote pattern
Rnd 2 – ch1, sc on next st around for 98 sts.
Repeat Rnd 1 and Rnd 2 5 times, then Rnd 2 again for another 7 times.
Remark: If you want a different depth of tote, you may increase or reduce the number of repeats.

Handle (make 2)

Base chain – sl knot, ch 60.
Rnd 1 – ch 1, sc each ch on next 59 sts, 5sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn sideways and continue along other side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 58 sts, 4sc on next ch slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
Rnd 2 – ch 1, *sc each on next 60 sts, 2sc each on next 3 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
Rnd 3 – ch1, *sc each on next 60 sts, {2sc on next st, sc on next st} repeat 3 times, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
fo, keep a 30″ or more of yarn for sewing.

Star Stitch Pattern

Star Bottom (crochet on the right side)
First Bottom Star of the round:
ch 3, pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: 2nd ch from hook, 3rd ch from hook, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round, each on next 2 sc st. Check: you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch (deem as the star center).

Subsequent Star Bottom of the round:
Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: star center, the last loop of the previous star, the st of the last loop of previous star, each on next 2 sc st, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round. Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch.

Last Star Bottom of the round:
Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: star center, the last loop of the previous star, the st of the last loop of previous star, next sc st, . Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, slip st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the round.

Star Top: (turn your work around and crochet on the wrong side)
ch 2, 2hdc on the star center for all the 49 Star Bottom. slst to the 2nd ch at the beginning of the round.

If you are feeling confused reading the written pattern, watch the video on How To Crochet Star Stitch might be able to help. This video from Crochet Geek is showing star stitch pattern in row format, you will need to adapt it to crochet it in round (as written pattern above).

If you need some visual pictures to show you where to pull the loops, please scroll down for the pictures.

Assembly: Please read the instruction as shown in the step by step photos below.

Note: natural jute twine has a light whiff of diesel, if you can’t take the smell please substitute it with other similar material.