This cheerful striped bag is a simple rectangle. The shaping at the top comes from cinching the fabric around the handles.

Size
12" wide x 14" tall (30.5 x 35.5 cm), plus handles

Materials
• Lion Brand Homespun 98% acrylic, 2% polyester, 6 oz (170 g) 185 yd (167 m) skein: 1 skein each #386 Grape (A), #390 Lavender Sachet (B), #385 Fuchsia (C) or colours of your choice
• Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
• Two circular handles 12" (30.5 cm) wide
• Large-eyed, blunt needle

Gauge
13 single crochets + 12 rows = 4" (10 cm).
Be sure to check your gauge.

Back
With A, chain 39.
Row 1 (Right Side): Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn -- 38 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 1, single crochet in each single crochet across. Turn.
Continue in single crochet in the following colour sequence: 4 more rows A; 6 rows B; 6 rows C; 6 rows A; 6 rows B; 6 rows C; 12 rows A (bottom); 6 rows C; 6 rows B; 6 rows A; 6 rows C; 6 rows B; 6 rows A.
Do not fasten off.

Front handle casing
Row 1: Chain 4, skip first single crochet, double crochet in next single crochet, *chain 1, skip next single crochet, double crochet in next single crochet; repeat from * across -- 19 chain 1-spaces. Fasten off.

Back handle casing
Row 1: With right side facing, working across opposite side of foundation chain, join A in first chain, chain 4, skip first chain, double crochet in next chain, *chain 1, skip next chain, double crochet in next chain; repeat from * across -- 19 chain 1-spaces. Fasten off.

Finishing
Fold Handle casing to wrong side over bottom of circular handle. With large-eyed, blunt needle, sew Handle casing to inside of Bag. Repeat on other side of Bag. With right side of front and back facing, sew side seams, matching yarn to stripe colour. Weave in ends. Turn Bag right side out.

Excerpted from Lion Brand Yarn Just Bags: 30 Patterns to Knit and Crochet, edited by Stephanie Klose and Cathy Maguire. Copyright 2006 by Lion Brand Yarn Company. Excerpted with permission from Potter Craft. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.