Four Stripes Bag Pattern #2693

With main color make a chain to measure 18 inches (6 ch sts to an inch). 1st row: 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, * dc in next ch, skip 4 ch, sc in next ch (a shell made). Ch 3, 3 dc in same ch as last sc. Repeat from * across until row measures 15 inches ending with 3 dc in same ch as last sc. Cut off remaining chain. Ch 3, turn.

2nd row: * Sc in ch-3 of next shell, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch-3, dc in next sc. Repeat from * across ending with 3 dc in last ch-3. (There should be the same number of shells on each row.) Ch 3, turn.

3rd row: Sl st in ch-3 of shell. Fasten off. Attach light color, ch 5, 3 dc in same ch-3, dc in next sc, sc in next ch-3. Continue working shells across row ending with 3 dc in last ch-3. Ch 3, turn.

Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows alternately working 1 more row of Light, 2 rows of Dark, 2 rows of Medium, then 2 rows of Main. Continue working in this manner until the 5th main color stripe is complete. Fasten off.

GUSSET (Make 2) ... Make a chain to measure about 5 inches.

1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across until there are 17 sc on row. Cut off remaining chain. Ch 1, turn.

2nd row: Sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn.

Continue working as for 2nd row increasing 1 st at both ends of next row and every 4th row thereafter until there are 27 sc on row—to inc, work 2 sc in 1 sc.

Then dec 1 st at both ends of next row—to dec, work off 2 sc as 1 sc. Dec 2 sts at both ends of following row. Repeat these last 2 rows alternately until 3 sts remain. Fasten off.

ZIPPER TAB... Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. Work 3 more rows of sc. Fasten off and sew to zipper.

Make a paper pattern of each crocheted piece. Since zipper is placed 1 inch below top of bag, trim 2 inches off pattern of large piece to take care of this. Lay patterns aside to be used later. Sew gussets in place so that points of shells extend beyond gusset. Side of gusset will be about 2 inches from top of bag. For lining instructions see patternbook page.