Earth Day Tote… a free crochet pattern.

Earth Day…. This year Earth Day brings on a whole new meaning. More than ever, we are learning to appreciate the earth and what it does for us by going about things a bit differently then we’re used to. I’m pretty active on social media and I’m seeing more people planting gardens, buying live stock, and they’re beginning to barter with others which cuts down on a lot of unnecessary plastic packaging.

All of that is great and I really hope we can continue to do this after things get back up and running. But until then, let’s focus on a few smaller things that we can control now like getting rid of all the plastic bags. Or as many as we can. My favorite store, Aldi, makes you pay for your bags as a way to encourage you to bring your own or use their boxes. I have a whole set of thirty-one canvas tote bags and then a thermal tote bag for my cold items. They’re huge and just not that practical to carry for one or two items. This Earth Day Tote is the perfect size for any day out at a farmer’s market, a walk down main street or to put a book and water bottle in to hang out at the park.

If you would like to purchase the printable ad free version of this pattern you can do so at Ravelry for only $2.00

Things needed: 5.5 mm hook, needle, scissors, 2 colors of cotton yarn.

Special Terms:

DC DEC – Double Crochet Decrease
CH – Chain
DC- Double Crochet
SL ST – Slip Stitch

Notes: CH 2 does NOT count as a stitch. CH 3 DOES count as a stitch.

Special Stitches: DC DEC:

Work the first double crochet until only 2 loops are on the hook.
Yarn over, place hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook).
Yarn over, pull yarn through all 3 loops to complete your double crochet decrease.

Body:

Row 1: (With Color A) Make a magic circle, CH 2, 10 DC in circle. Join to the top of first DC with a SL ST. (10)

Row 2: CH 2, 2 DC in the same stitch and in each st around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (20)

Row 3: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next st, 2 DC in next*, repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (30)

Row 4: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, DC in the next stitch, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next 2 sts, 2 DC in next* repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (40)

Row 5: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, DC in the next two stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next 3 sts, 2 DC in next* repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (50)

Row 6: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, DC in the next three stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next 4 sts, 2 DC in next* repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (60)

Row 7: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, DC in the next four stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next 5 sts, 2 DC in next* repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (70)

Row 8: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, DC in the next five stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next 6 sts, 2 DC in next* repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (80)

Row 9: CH 2, DC in the same stitch as the CH 2, DC in the next six stitches, 2 DC in the next stitch, *DC in next 7 sts, 2 DC in next* repeat around. Join to top of first DC with a SL ST. (90)

Row 10: Change to color B: CH 1, SC in same stitch as CH, SC in the next st. * CH 3, skip the next 3 sts, SC in the next 2 sts*. Repeat from * to * 16 times. CH 3 and SL ST into the first SC. ( 36 SC, 54 CH(s))

Row 11: (CH 3 counts as a stitch) SL ST into the next SC and into the CH 3 space. CH 3, 4 DC into the same space. 5 DC into each CH 3 space across. SL ST into the CH 3. (90)

Rows 12-13: Repeat rows 10 and 11 in Color A.

Row 14-15: Repeat rows 10 and 11 in Color B.

Rows 16-17: Repeat rows 10 and 11 in Color A.

Rows 18-19: Repeat rows 10 and 11 in Color B.

Rows 20-21: Repeat rows 10 and 11 in Color A.

Rows 22-23: Repeat rows 10 and 11 in Color B.

Row 24: (With color A) CH 3, DC in next stitch and in each stitch across. (90)

Row 25: Repeat row 24. Do not tie off. Now we continue to the straps.

Strap 1:

CH 3 DOES count as a stitch.

Row 1: CH 3, DC in the next 24 sts. Turn (25)

Row 2: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 19 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn. (23)

Row 3: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 17 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn. (21)

Row 4: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 15 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st.Turn (19)

Row 5 : CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 13 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn (17)

Row 6: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 11 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn (15)

Row 7: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 9 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn (13)

Row 8: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 7 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn (11)

Row 9: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 5 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn (9)

Row 10: Ch 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the next 3 sts, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. Turn (7)

Row 11: Ch 3, DC in the next 6 sts. Turn (7)

Row 12-30: Repeat Row 11

Row 31: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, Dc in the next st, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st.Turn (5)

Row 32: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. (4)

Row 33: CH 3, DC DEC in the next two sts, DC in the last st. (3) Tie off and weave in your ends.

Strap 2:

Attach your yarn in the 21st stitch away from the first strap.