’Candy Summer Tote’
General Instructions for a Freestyle Project
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The perfect beach bag! And the best about it - as I don’t carry loose small things when I go swimming anyway, I don’t have to line it! :wink:
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I describe my version, all alternative versions that came to my mind, or tips, are marked with ° …. °.
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Please have a look at my Project Pages for lots of more information. They contain pictures with descriptions for the various steps:
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Candy Granny Circle / Square Summer Tote / May 2022
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BertaMayer/candy-granny-...
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Tutorials Sewing Together Granny Squares in a single row; especially for: Candy Granny Square - Circle Summer Tote / May 2022
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BertaMayer/tutorials-sew...
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Granny Squares - Pattern and Instructions with Pictures - my latest project, not quite finished, but nearly - it tells everything about Granny Squares, including how to make a magic circle
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BertaMayer/granny-square...
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have a look at this project, too, it might contain interesting information:
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Foto Tutorial Sewing Together Granny Squares in a single row; especially for: Granny Colours Autumn Tote Bag and the neckties/scarfs
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BertaMayer/foto-tutorial...
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They all contain lots of illustrating pictures with descriptions

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Weight: 320g
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Time: approx. 30 hours
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Very advanced beginners, some experience in sewing
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A great stash buster, as you can use the colours depending on how much you have, starting with the one you have least of in the smaller (inner) circles
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As I had to enter a gauge, I measured it - more or less - in a circle.
One 2-pattern-row Granny square as used in the side panel measures approx. 5x5cm, some slightly smaller (used towards the strap) some slightly bigger (used on bottom)
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Material needed:
-320g of different rather rigid lace weight yarns (mainly raw silk and linen, some cotton and Nylon, Bouclè….);
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-this will be approx. 750 to 900 m of DK or very light worsted, in several different colours. You can use all your thinner yarns doubled / tripled up or even join lots of sewing threads together, like I did
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If you use mainly cotton, the bag will probably be heavier, and you will need more yarn.
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-crochet hooks 2,5mm and smaller for weaving in
-pointy sewing needle where at least half of the threads used fit through (better if the whole yarn)
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optional, for different versions:
-clear plastic sheet circles
one version: two fairly rigid but workable circles slightly smaller than the crocheted circle,to punch holes around the edge, to sew on to the circle);
other version: two more rigid ones, the size of the stretched circle (because the bag eases with use) to insert between the outer circle and a sc only inner circle; makes the bag fairly heavy; a bold fabric circle is ok as well, for less weight))
-and for both: a stripe of fairly rigid plastic, to insert between the side panel and an inner panel which can be made in sc or to be faster in dc (or lining)
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If you want it to keep the round shape at all times, you have to put some reinforcement at least between the side panel and a second layer like mentioned in the beginning, otherwise, when empty, it will be slouchy
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Consists of two big granny circles, 2-row (or more if you like) granny squares for the side panel and smaller squares for the strap
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I’m using all kinds of summery stash yarn in laceweihgt, superfine lace weight and sewing threads - cotton/linen/viscose/wool with some artificial fibres mixed in; most of them are quite sturdy, but nor heavy.
According to yarn weight, mixing usually 8 to 10 strands together (where there is more fine sewing thread, it might be up yo 12 strands, where there’s Boucle or other irregular yarns, accordingly less) - together they make a good sport weight or DK.
I work with a 2,5mm hook to make the fabric as sturdy as possible.
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If you work with softer yarns, take into consideration to use half double crochets instead of the double crochets, it makes for a more solid fabric.
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Different versions:
a) as a slouchy tote bag, with a fabric pouch inside, either fixed or just anyone, to secure your items, as the pattern creates significant holes.
This is the version described in the pattern
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In addition, to give the bag some rigidity, it can be lined:
b) with two crocheted circles of sc in the same size;
to sew in after (makes it easier) the side panel has been added -the edge of them into the fold between outer circle and side panel, with sling stitches.
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c)with clear stiff but thin plastic sheet circles, slightly smaller than the fabric ones (they have to reach to just under the top loops of the crocheted circle), to sew on to the inside of the circles, around the edges.
Punch one tiny hole in correspondence with each stitch, c. 3 - 4 mm inside.
Try before if the holes are ok, if they break through the edge easily, it is not the right material.
If you manage machine sewing, you can do it with this method, with very wide stitches, otherwise the plastic can break.
Do this before you sew the circles to the side panels; If the plastic is very rigid, you might not be able to turn the bag inside out at a later moment, which makes sewing on the inside side panel a little bit difficult
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d)you can place more or less rigid clear plastic sheet in between two layers - granny circle and sc circle - only sewing on the inner circle around it’s edge to the outer one, before you sew on the side panels. The inner circles have to reach to just under the top loops of the granny round circle.
If the plastic is very rigid, you might not be able to turn the bag inside out at a later moment, which makes sewing on the inside side panel a little bit difficult
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all versions, if you like it) In a further addition, a stripe of the sheet, the same width as the side panel, could be placed inside between the row of granny squares, and a stripe of sc (or dc) the same size as the side panel, to sew in after you fixed the circles to the side panel, with sling stitches into the fold. It takes some patience and maybe a curved needle.
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I started with the idea of making a rigid handbag, but changed idea to a bigger tote bag style.
Maybe at a later time, when I find the plastic material, I will give it a try - in a very thick wintery wool.
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STITCHES
American terminology
ch=chain
css=crochet slip stitch
sc=single crochet
dc=double crochet
’group of 2’ refers to two groups of dc (here: 3 or 4) interspaced with a chain, into one space below
slipknot - see pictures how to make it
magic circle - see pictures how to make it
chain circle - see pictures how to make it
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sewing slingstitch
sewing backstitch