By Anastacia Zittel

Photos: Anastacia Zittel

Traditional simplicity has a beauty all its own. This granny square bag comes in two sizes and can be done in any color combination, making it versatile as well as practical and beautiful.

Difficulty: Easy

Size: S (L)

Finished Measurements:
Small: 12.5″ square; handles measure 18″ long.
Large: 17″ square; handles measure 22″ long

Materials:

• Red Heart Super Saver [100% acrylic; 364 yd/333 m per 198 g skein], scraps in 4 assorted contrasting colors (CC) and main color (MC)
• I (5.5 mm) hook

Gauge: 1st round measures 1.75″ across, 4 rows=2.5″ in granny square pattern. Precise gauge is not critical to this design.

Directions:

Granny Squares (make 2)

With CC1, ch 5; join with a sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 5 (counts as first dc, ch-2 sp). *(Make 3 dc, ch 2) all in ring. Rep from * twice more, make 2 dc in ring. Join with a sl st to first dc. (12 dc and 4 ch-2 sp) End off.

Rnd 2: With MC, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, join with a sl st to first dc. (24 dc and 8 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 3: With CC2, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, makae 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc), all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 2 dc in last ch-2 sp. Join with a sl st to first dc. (36 dc and 12 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 4: With CC3, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1. (Make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice, make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp; join with a sl st to first dc. (48 dc and 16 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 5: With MC, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) three times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc), all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) three times. Make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp; join with a sl st to first dc. (60 dc and 20 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 6: With CC2, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) four times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1. (Make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) four times, make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp; join with a sl st to first dc. (72 dc and 24 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 7: With CC1, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) five times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) five times, make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp; join with a sl st to first dc. (84 dc and 28 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 8: With CC3, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) six times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) six times, make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp; join with a sl st to first dc. (96 dc and 32 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 9: With MC, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) seven times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc), all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) seven times, make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp. Join with a sl st to first dc. (108 dc and 36 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 10: With CC2, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) eight times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc), all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1. (Make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) eight times, make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, join with a sl st to first dc. (120 dc and 40 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 11: With CC4, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) nine times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) nine times. Make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, join with a sl st to first dc. (132 dc and 44 ch-sp) End off.

Rnd 12: With MC, join yarn with a sl st to any ch-2 sp. Ch 5, make 3 dc in same ch-2 sp. *Ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) ten times. (Make 3 dc, ch 2, make 3 dc) all in next ch-2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) ten times. Make 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, join with a sl st to first dc. (144 dc and 48 ch-sp) End off. Weave in ends.

For large size:

Rnds 13-15: Increase in same fashion, using assorted CCs as desired.

Rnd 16: Increase in same fashion, using MC.

Handle:

With any color, ch 51 (71).

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each ch across: (50, 70 sc)

Rows 2-3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across: (50, 70 sc) End off.

Finishing:

Hold both granny squares with wrong sides together.

Row 1: Working through both granny squares, join B with a sl st in any corner ch-2 sp, sc in each sc and ch-sp around 3 sides of granny squares. End off.

Sew ends of handle to top of tote bag. Weave in ends. Use bag with pride!

About the Designer
Anastacia Zittel loves to crochet, knit, dye yarn, & do a little spinning & embroidery from time to time. She also loves to read fantasy & historical fiction. She enjoys writing about her crafty adventures at Anastacia Knits. She’s been designing seriously since summer, 2010. To see more of her designs visit her shop, and stop by her group for support, CALs, inspiration, and more!

Pattern & images © Anastacia E. Zittel. All rights reserved.