Crochet Star Stitch Tote

Crochet Star Stitch Tote

Dimension:
Tote: 16″ (W) x 9″ (H) x 7″ (D) (exclude handles)
Handle: approx. 24″, 1 pair

Gauge / Tension: 4″ x 4″ = 12 sts x 15 row

Material & Tool:

1. Jute twine, 250 yard
2. Crochet hook, H / 5mm
3. Rubber tubing (for handles support, optional)
4. Cord or batting (for handles cushioning, optional)
5. Tapestry needle
6. Safety pins

Abbreviations: (in USA terms)

sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
slst = slip stitch
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
fo = fasten off
Rnd = round

CROCHET PATTERN

Tote

Base (work on right side only)

Base chain - sl knot, ch 16.
Rnd 1 - ch 1, 2sc on next st, sc each ch on next 14 sts, 3sc on next ch (the first ch of the base
chain). Turn sideways and continue along other side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 15 sts,
slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [34 sts]
Rnd 2 - ch 1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2
times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [38 sts]
Rnd 3 - ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 14 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts,
repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [46 sts]
Rnd 4 - ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc each on next 2 sts, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc each on next 2 sts,
repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [54 sts]
Rnd 5 - ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 20 sts,
2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning
round. [62 sts]
Rnd 6 - ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc
on next st, sc each on next 18 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next
st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [74 sts]
Rnd 7 - ch1, *sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc on next st, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc
on next st, sc each on next 24 sts, 2sc on next st, sc each on next 2 sts, 2sc on next st, sc on next
st, 2sc on next st, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts]
Rnd 8 - ch1, sc each on next 86 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [86 sts]
Rnd 9 - ch1, *{sc each on next 3 sts, 2sc on next st,} repeat 3 times, sc each on next 17 sts,
repeat {} 3 times, sc each on next 2 sts, repeat * 2 times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
[98 sts]
Rnd 10 & Rnd 11 - ch1, sc each on next 98 sts, slst to the ch st at the beginning round. [98 sts]

Body (work on right side only)

Rnd 1 – Star Stitch on back loops only (A complete start stitch pattern is made of 2 rounds of
crochet, Star Bottom and Star Top, view below for Star Stitch Crochet Pattern.). Treat a
complete star stitch pattern as 1 round in the tote pattern
Rnd 2 – ch1, sc on next st around for 98 sts.
Repeat Rnd 1 and Rnd 2 5 times, then Rnd 2 again for another 7 times.
Remark: If you want a different depth of tote, you may increase or reduce the number of repeats.

Handle (make 2)

Base chain - sl knot, ch 60.

Rnd 1 - ch 1, sc each ch on next 59 sts, 5sc on next ch (the first ch of the base chain). Turn
sideways and continue along other side of the base chain, sc each ch on next 58 sts, 4sc on next
ch slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
Rnd 2 - ch 1, *sc each on next 60 sts, 2sc each on next 3 sts, repeat * 2 time2, slst to the ch st at
the beginning round.
Rnd 3 - ch1, *sc each on next 60 sts, {2sc on next st, sc on next st} repeat 3 times, repeat * 2
times, slst to the ch st at the beginning round.
fo, keep a 30″ or more of yarn for sewing.

Star Stitch Pattern

Star Bottom (crochet on the right side)

First Bottom Star of the round:
ch 3, pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: 2nd ch from hook, 3rd ch from
hook, st before the 3 chains at the beginning of the round, each on next 2 sc st. Check: you
should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, ch (deem as the star
center).

Subsequent Star Bottom of the round:

Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: star center, the last loop of the
previous star, the st of the last loop of previous star, each on next 2 sc st, st before the 3 chains at
the beginning of the round. Again, you should have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull
through all 6 loops, ch.

Last Star Bottom of the round:

Pull up a total of 5 loops through each of the following st: star center, the last loop of the
previous star, the st of the last loop of previous star, next sc st, . Again, you should have 6 loops
on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops, slip st to the 3rd ch at the beginning of the
round.

Star Top: (turn your work around and crochet on the wrong side)
ch 2, 2hdc on the star center for all the 49 Star Bottom. slst to the 2nd ch at the beginning of the
round.

If you are feeling confused reading the written pattern, watch the video on How To Crochet Star
Stitch might be able to help. This video from Crochet Geek is showing star stitch pattern in row
format, you will need to adapt it to crochet it in round (as written pattern above).

If you need some visual pictures to show you where to pull the loops, please scroll down for the
pictures.

Assembly: Please read the instruction as shown in the step by step photos below.

Note: natural jute twine has a light whiff of diesel, if you can’t take the smell please substitute it
with other similar material.

Oblong base of the jute twine tote.

 Crochet Star Stitch pattern, refer above written
crochet pattern (Star Bottom) for the details.
The 5 red points in picture 8 and 10 are the positions to pull the loops for the star stitch.
Slip stitch at the end of the round for Star Bottom.

Half a star (Star Bottom) completed.

 Turn your work to the wrong side to crochet the
Star Top. Refer above written crochet pattern (Star Top) for the details.
Follow by a row of single crochet on the right side. It is both loops single crochet (picture 7).
A completed Star Stitch Tote body.
 Crochet a pair of handles with the pattern above.
You may cushion the handles with tiny rubber tube or just leave them empty. I salvaged the
rubber tube from a hat packaging, you may buy them from hardware shop (compressed air
section) or get a slightly larger diameter and softer material from aquarium section. Or, you can
use resilient plastic strip (some call it corset bone or fish bone).
Gather and sew the sides of the handle together 2″ from the rounded end.
 Pin the handles in place on the tote, about 7″ apart
at the center of the tote. Sew the handles onto the tote, hide twine. You may line the tote with
fabric.
This completes the Star Stitch Tote in jute twine.