Mayuri’s Tote Bag CAL – Part 3

Don’t forget to add this CAL to Ravelry queue

 Mayuri’s Tote Bag CAL – Part 3 (joining each part)

Please click here for material list and CAL schedule.

I created an event for Mayuri’s Tote Bag CAL on Facebook page Crochet For You. Please feel to join if you are going to start this CAL ask questions and help each other. >> Click here to join. Don’t forget to share your wip and photos with everyone.

Finished size (before wet blocking)

After joining each part: (laid flat)

• Height = 10.5”
• Width of the bottom = 13”
• Width of the top = 11.5”
• Height of the sides = 9.5”

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• st = stitch
• sl st = slip stitch

Note:

• This part includes joining sides, handles and attaching zipper to the bag.

Joining sides

In this part we are going to join sides to the bag. If you remember last 2 parts we did, there are stitch markers on each of side and the body of the bag. These are the center of each piece. First of all you should match and attach that center marked sts with each other (side pieces to the side of the bag).

Side pieces: there are 2 stitch markers in 33^rd and 34^th sts on the curved edge. These are the center of the side pieces.

In each 2 side the bag, there are 2 stitch markers in 26^th and 27^th hdc sts. Now we are going to match these marked sts with the sides pieces. See photo collage below and follow the step by step.

After attaching center marked stitches together, we are going to attach other two stitch marker on top of the sides.

Count 32 sts backward from 26^th marked stitch on bag edging (Do not count with the center marked stitch) and attached with one of same stitch marker on top of the side piece we marked previously (stitch marked on top of the side pieces)

Count 32 sts forward from 27^th marked stitch on bag edging (Do not count with the center marked stitch) and attached with other stitch marker on top of the side piece we marked previously (stitch marked on top of the side pieces)

Repeat these steps on other side. See the photo below.

Joining 2 pieces (side pieces and body of the bag) together (You can find the link to the video tutorial “joining 2 pieces with single crochet” by Moogly in part 2)

Hold 2 pieces (side pieces and body of the bag) together, insert hook into first st of both pieces (you can see there are stitch markers first and last sts), make a slip knot and pull it back through the sts, ch 1, sc in each of next st around the curved edge until second last st, ch 1, sl st to last st, fasten off and weave the ends.

Attach the zipper

Note:

• The zipper attaches to top part of the bag.
• I did wet blocking before attaching zipper to the bag.

Grab your selected zipper, thread, needle and other essential tools like scissors and pins. Open up the zipper and lay the bag flat.

Pin one side of the zipper to the bag opening. The closed side of the zipper should be out from the bag. Pin other side as well as and make sure that the zipper line up with the other side.  I used back stitch to sew the zipper. (See the photo collage below)

One more thing you have to do before joining handles. You can see the top parts of the bag taller than the sides and there is a space between them (photo 1 and 2 below). Now we are going to make strong edge for the bag by folding these extra rows and stitch them together with surface crochet (photo 3 below).

Please watch the video tutorial about Surface Crochet by Moogly if you are not familiar with surface crochet.

To make these thick edges, follow the instruction below.

Place the stitch markers one of the hole between last row and 2^nd last row of the top part of the bag. And count 4 holes down from marked hole and add another stitch marker on the 4^th hole. (Add 2 stitch markers on each left and right side as shown below)

Insert hook first hole of the below, we marked, and bring the hook up from the first hole of above row we marked. Make a slip knot and pull back a loop through the holes, *insert the hook in next 2 holes below and above we marked (be sure to select same holes in 2 rows we marked), yo, pull back a loop through the holes and loop on the hook; repeat * to across until last hole, fasten off and weave the 2 ends. Repeat these steps on other side.

Joining handles to the bag

Insert each end of the handle into the space we created in the body of the bag. And sew them tightly to the bag.

See you next Monday with the last part. 😀

Can’t wait to see your finished projects. ? Share your finished projects of thispattern

on Crochet For You fb page.

Happy hooking with Crochet For You!!

Let’s connect and share   facebook | google+ | pinterest | twitter | Newsletter