This fresh and eye-catching tote is worked in the round, using the diagonal chevron crochet stitch. By changing colors from cream to green, the effect created is that of a series of trailing ivy strands.

Difficulty: Intermediate
You will need to know how to crochet in the round, how to change colors, and how to work the long single crochet stitch, which is also known as the spike stitch.

Materials Used:
9.0 mm and 10.0 mm crochet hooks
2 skeins Lion Brand Hometown USA - Houston Cream
1 skein Lion Brand Hometown USA - Oklahoma City Green
2 leather purse handles in brown with pre-punched holes for sewing on
Small amount of any cream colored thread for sewing handles on
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and a smaller sized needle for sewing on the handles
Stitch marker (a paper clip will also work and that is what I typically use)

Gauge: 4” x 4” = 9 sc, 10 rows (using 9.0 mm hook)

Finished Size Approximately:
Body of bag =13” at widest point (middle of bag), 10.5” from top to bottom (not including handles)

Notes:
The Ivy Tote is worked in continuous rounds without turning. Do not join at the end of each round - continue working in a spiral. Use a stitch marker (or paper clip) to mark the beginning of each round. When changing colors, you will simply drop the color not in use to the back of the work, then pick it up when it is needed again.