By Melissa Mall

Model: ‘Charlie’
Photos: Melissa Mall

Are you ready for summer vacation? Who can wait for all the swimming, catching fireflies, playing outside – and road trips? Be prepared to entertain little ones on the go with a cheerful Coloring Book Tote! The perfect size and shape to carry a few coloring books or magazines, it even has a special pocket on the outside that fits a box of 24 crayons.

Make a tote for each child, and they can carry and keep track of their own supplies!

Difficulty: Intermediate

Size: One Size

Finished Measurements: 10.5″ h x 9″ w x 1.5″ d, excluding strap and pocket

Materials:

• Red Heart Super Saver Multi [100% Acrylic, 246yds/269m per 170g/6oz skein]; 1 skein Banana Berry
• Red Heart Super Saver Solids [100% Acrylic, 364yd/333m per 7oz/198g skein]; approx. 60yds Bright Yellow
• H/8 (5.00mm size) hook
• Needle

Gauge: 3 rnds of granny square = 4″/10cm

Directions:

Side (make 2)

Rnd 1: With MC ch 4; join with sl st to make ring. Ch 4. [Make 3 dc into center of ring, ch 2] 3 times. Make 2 dc in center of ring, join in 3rd st of ch-4.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, make 2 dc in the same ch-sp. [Ch 1, make 3 dc in next ch-sp, ch 2, make 3 dc in next ch sp] 3 times. Ch 2, sl st in beginning ch-3 to join.

Rnds 3-7: Ch 3; make 2 dc in same ch sp. *[Ch 1, make 3 dc in next ch-sp] across until you reach the CORNER. Ch 1, make 3 dc in corner space. Ch 2, make 3 dc in corner space. Repeat from * until you reach beginning of round (ending with one of the [ch 1, make 3 dc in next ch-sp]): make 3 dc in corner space, ch 2. Sl st in top of ch-3 to join.

Finish off.

To join sides, join contrast color at corner. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same ch-sp. Dc in each dc and ch-sp around 3 sides of Side (placing only 1 dc in each corner space); place 2 dc in ch-sp at top corner. (87 dc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each dc across. (87 dc) Turn.

Row 3: Sl st through sts of Row 2 AND the other side, carefully matching up the sides and corners.

Ch 3. Evenly space dc all around the top of the bag; join rnd.

Handle: Ch 70 (or desired length), sl st into opposite corner of the same side. Sl st in next st along top of bag.

Row 1: Holding yarn at front, slip stitch across handle by inserting hook from back to front through the back loop only. At the end of handle, sl st normally in st at edge of bag, sl st in next st.

Row 2: Sl st in back loop only across handle. Sl st in next st along top of bag.

Alternate rows 1 and 2 until handle reaches desired width. Finish off.

Crayon Pocket:

With MC, repeat Rounds 1-3 of Side; turn. Ch 3, *dc in front loop only of each dc and ch-sp to the corner; place 1 dc in corner space. Repeat from * 2 more times; place 1 more dc in corner. Finish off.

Finishing: To finish, sew crayon pocket to side (centering the middle of the pocket on the middle of the side gives it a neat look). Weave in all ends.

About the Designer

Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons seven and under. They have just completed yet another transcontinental move – hopefully it will be their last!!! You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.