I have been super excited to share this Star Spangled Beach Tote with you since the idea first struck me!

There are a lot of notes regarding this pattern, so please read carefully before you begin to work.  I also highly recommend checking out my blog post and step-by-step picture tutorial on how to work this pattern here.

I hope you enjoy making this fun and practical beach tote as much as I did!

What you need

2 skeins of tape yarn in blue (I used Lion Brand’s Fast Track in Dune Buggy Denim) – approximately 360 grams 

2 skeins of tape yarn in white (I used Lion Brand’s Fast Track in Airstream White)- approximately 262 grams 

1 skein of tape yarn in red (I used Lion Brand’s Fast Track in Race Car Red)- approximately 85 grams 

6′ of 1/2 thick white boat rope

glue of choice (for securing end of rope

6.50 MM crochet hook

My Amazon Picks 

Completed Measurements 

18″ wide

13″ tall from blo round to top sl st round

Gauge Used 

12 hdc= 4″

8 rows= 4″

Abbreviations Used

ch= Chain

hdc= half double crochet

inc= increase (2 half double crochets in 1 st)

BLO= back loops only

yo= yarn over

pu= pull up

sl st= slip stitch

st= stitch

Pattern Notes

*The base of the tote is worked in continuous rounds until the 6th round when you will switch to joined rounds, I highly recommend using a stitch marker throughout.

**To create as straight of a join as possible, I wrote the pattern intended to alternate between these two join methods at the end of each round, unless otherwise noted:

1. sl st into 1st st of previous round, ch 2, hdc into same st to begin round, do not work into the slip stitch of previous round

   

   

2. Sl st into first stitch of previous round, ch 2 and hdc into the next st, count slip stitch of previous round as your last st of this round and work into it.

*** To end the star stitch rounds, use your slip stitch as your last yo and pu through all 6 loops on your hook.  This will create less gapping between rounds.

**** I began each color change in the previous round by using my new color as the loop I would pull up for my slip stitch.  This will give you a more seamless color change. I also carried the colors up and behind the first stitch of each round until I was done using that color, when I would cut and weave in the ends.  

Pattern

Foundation: ch 37, beginning in 3rd ch from hook, hdc 35, continue working towards back loops of chain, hdc 35

Round 1: inc, hdc 33, hdc inc 2, hdc, inc 2, hdc 3, inc

Round 2: hdc, inc 2, hdc 32, inc 2, hdc, inc 2, hdc 32, inc 2

Round 3: hdc, inc 3, hdc 34, inc 3, hdc, inc 3, hdc 34, inc 3

Round 4: hdc, inc 4, hdc 38, inc 4, hdc, inc 4, hdc 38, inc 4 (110)

Round 5: hdc around (110)

*Round 6: hdc in blo, sl st (110)

Round 7-13: ch 2, hdc around, **alternate between join methods for each round ending by skipping join of round 13 before sl st and change to white yarn****(110)

***Round 14: switch to white yarn, ch 3, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pu (2 loops on hook), insert into 3rd ch from hook, yo, pu (3 loops on hook), insert into the same st as your ch, yo and pu (4 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (5 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (6 loops on hook), yo pull through all 6 loops, yo and pu creating the “eye” of the star (1 loop on hook: first star created).

*insert hook into “eye” of star yo, pu (2 loops on hook), insert in between last spikes of the star, yo, pu (3 loops on hook), insert hook into same st as last spike, yo, pu (4 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (5 loops on hook), insert into next st, yo and pu (6 loops on your hook), yo and pull through all 6 loops, yo and pu* (1 loop on hook: second star created). Repeat from * around.  On the last star, skip the last yo and pu and instead: yo, being sl st into top of first star using the sl st loop to pull through all loops on hook. (55 stars or “eyes” total)

Round 15: Round 3: chain 2, 2 hdc in each “eye” around, sl st (110)

Round 16-17: switch to red yarn, hdc around, ** (110)

Round 18-19: switch to blue yarn, hdc around, ** (110)

Rounds 20-25: repeat rounds 14-19 (110)

Round 26-32: switch to white yarn, hdc around **alternate between join methods for each round ending by skipping join of round 32 before ending in sl st (110)

Round 33: sl st around, fo and weave in ends. (110)

Assembly

Tape your rope right below 35″ on each end and cut with the tape still attached.  With the tape still in tact, use a glue to secure the ends to prevent fraying (I used a hot glue gun, but I think super glue would work just as well, maybe even a smidge better).

Once the glue is set, insert each end of your rope through a stitch from the center of your tote through to the front about 4 1/2″ away from each side in round 29 (4 white rounds up).  Pull through so you have about a 7″ tail.  Very gently remove your tape.  Tie an overhand knot (this is just your average knot) leaving about an 1″ tail and tighten knot.  Repeat this process on other end of rope, then again with 2nd strand of rope on the other side of your tote.

Weave in all ends, and there you have it!  Now you’re ready to hit the beach… just like me ;-D