It’s nearly the 4th of July so I thought I’d post a fun stars and stripes project I did for charity. Crocheting for charity is very rewarding and enjoyable. It’s a wonderful way to give back a bit and pay it forward to someone that you may not even know.

I’ve recently crocheted a few wheelchair – walker tote bags for my local nursing home. Here is one of my stars and stripes tote bags I created from some vintage bulky wool yarn I found at a thrift store. Being wool I just had to felt this and I was really pleased with the results. Felted wool just looks so cool and I think it adds a special touch to the bag.

Please feel free to use my pattern to crochet for your local charities or organizations.
Enjoy and I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!

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Free Pattern for Stars & Stripes Wheelchair – Walker Tote Bag

Materials needed:
Bulky weight wool yarn in red, white and blue, approx. 2 ozs in each color
2) 1 inch buttons

Hook:
N (9 mm) U.S. size metal hook

Description: Wheelchair – Walker Tote Bag
Bag measures 9 inches wide by 9-1/2 inches long with 8 inch straps after felting
Bag measured 11″ wide by 12″ long with 8-1/2″ straps before felting

Directions:
Using red yarn, Ch 27.

Rnd 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea chain st down to end. Work 2 Hdc in end st, then continue around other side of chain by working a Hdc in ea st to other end then work 2 Hdc in end st.

Rnd 2
Hdc in each st around to first end, work 2 Hdc in 1 end st, then Hdc in ea st to other end, then work 2 Hdc in 1 end st. Do not join at end of rounds, just continue working Hdc’s in rounds as this creates a seamless bag.

Rnd 3 – 8
Hdc in ea st around the entire bag bottom with yarn. End at side of bag for all color changes. Approx. 4 inches in each color.

(Tip: End last round at side edge of bag and then sl st into the next two sts. This makes a nice smooth edge finish. Cut off red and weave ends under.)

Rnd 9 – 16
With white yarn attach at side and Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around bag for white stripe. Don’t join but just continue working in rounds.

Rnd 17 – 24
Switch to blue yarn yarn and Ch 1. Hdc in ea st around bag for blue stripe. Ending at side of bag on final rnd with a sl st into ea of the last few sts around side. Leave attached to work strap.

Row 1 (Strap)
Leaving yarn attached still from last rnd, and starting in approx. 3rd st from edge. Ch 1, Sc in 5 sts.

Row 2
Ch 1, turn. Sc in ea st across. (6 Sc’s counting Ch 1)
Repeat Row 2 until strap measures 8 to 8-1/2 inches long.

Buttonhole row: Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1 st, then Sc in ea of last sts.

Next row: Ch 1, turn. Sc in ea st and in the ch 1 buttonhole space work 2 sc, then Sc in last sts of row. FO.

Attach yarn in 3rd st from opposite back side edge and repeat back strap instructions above for other strap and buttonhole.

Felting:
I felted my bag for about 15 minutes on the hottest water inside a pillowcase in my washer. Check felting after about 10 minutes and continue until felted to your desired size. Rinse in cold water and lay out on a towel. Gently roll up the towel to absorb the water out of the felted bag. Shape the bag to make sure its uniform and let dry.

Sew buttons on at front under buttonholes.

Option for a wider tote:
I crocheted another tote to make it a bit wider than the above pattern. This option you chain 33 at the beginning and only work 7 rounds in each color. This bag after felting is 9-1/2″ wide by 8-1/2″ long.

If you have any questions or find discrepancies in this pattern, please email me using contact tab above.

Abbreviations:
Ch – Chain
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Plarn – Plastic Bag Yarn
Rnd – Round
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Sk – Skip
St – Stitch

This pattern is copyrighted by Cindy of My Recycled Bags {dot com} and may only be used for private individual use. No commercial sales or use is permitted. Links to this pattern are acceptable. ©2010

****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.