Watermelon Bag*

I've been on a chunky yarn streak.  It's so fast and quick, how can I go back to worsted weight?  Even the price of Hometown USA is affordable at my local Wal-Mart.  All the kids were with me the last grocery trip and, of course, my always wanting daughter wants something made with some kind of yarn that is green.  I talked her into Honolulu Pink and Monterey Lime, very hot colors right now. As I was putting the yarn into the cart, she said that they looked like a watermelon and she is right! This is what I came up with, a cute and fun drawstring tote, perfect for any little girl on the go.

Watermelon Bag

Materials needed: about 80 yrds of chunky yarn: green, pink and white. a small amount of black worsted weight yarn for "seeds"       M13/9mm hook

DO NOT turn your work in this pattern.

Starting with green:

Make 8 hdc in a magic ring, tighten, slst to first hdc and ch1

Row 1: 2hdc in joining st and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch1  (16hdc+ch1)

Row 2: 2hdc in joining st, hdc in next st, repeat around. slst into first hdc, ch1 (24 hdc +ch1)

Row 3: 2hdc in joining st, hdc 2x, repeat around. slst into first hdc, ch1 (32hdc+ch1)

Row 4: using BACK loops only, hdc in joining st, and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch1 (32hdc+ch1)

Row 5: using both loops again, hdc in joining st, and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch1  switching to white in the last loop  (32hdc+ch1) 

Row 6:  using BACK loops only, hdc in joining st, and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch1 switching to pink in the last loop  (32hdc+c1)

Row 7: :  using BACK loops only, hdc in joining st, and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch1  (32hdc+c1)

Rows 8 - 12: using both loops again,  hdc in joining st, and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch1  (32hdc+ch1)

Row 13: hdc in joining st, and each st around. slst into first hdc, ch4 (32hdc+ch4)

Row 14: skip joining and first hdc, * dc in next hdc, ch1 and skip one hdc, dc into next hdc. Repeat around ending with a slst into the third chain of ch4  

Row 15: sc, 2dcs, sc  into each space created from the skipped stitches.  The last sc becomes a slst into the first sc to make a nice edge. Fasten off, weave in ends.  (16 scallops)

 I used Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn for the white.  It is one-ply, super bulky.  I just simply cut a strand long enough to use as the tie. For the strap, I made a cord. I took one very long strand, tied the two loose ends together. The tied ends need to be stationary, taped down or held tight.  Put a pencil in the looped end and twist until the yarn twists back on itself. Once twisted enough, match the tied end to the looped end. It should coil and twist back on itself to form a strong cord.  My husband is very inventive, when he saw me doing this, he got out his drill and a hook to fit in the end to hold the loop.  Much faster than the traditional way.  I wasn’t sure how to attach the handles to the bag, except for hand sewing with thread. Since this is staying in my house for my daughter, I figure I can always sew again if it comes loose, but it hasn't yet.

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