Somehow durning my cross country move, I got it together to release this pattern just in time for fall. I have to admit that I’m going to miss fall as I knew it (short lived though it was, it has already snowed in Bozeman this year). I wrote this pattern last year, which is why I was able to take a picture of the bag against all of the leafy goodness of autumn.

The Autumn Leaves Tote Bag pattern (etsy, ravelry links) consists of a 7 page PDF complete with step-by step photos showing you how to crochet the bag, and how to sew the lining, handles and flower. I made it to feature the cute fabric that my friend Nancy sent me –it takes less than one yard of home dec weight fabric to complete the bag. You only need beginner crochet skills and advanced beginner sewing skills to make it, and of course you can decorate it however you like. I also think it would look really pretty with a striped bottom, if you want to use up some stash worsted weight yarn, and it’d be fun to try a felted version as well.

I love lining crochet and knit bags with fabric, and  adding sewn handles, because they keep the bag from stretching out over time, which makes it much more useable. You can apply the simple sewing instructions to most any crocheted bag once you give this a go. The pattern is available for $5.50 on both ravelry and etsy.(If you don’t have either, you can still buy it via the button on the “Crochet Patterns for Purchase” sidebar, via Ravelry).  Special thanks to the crocheters who tested this pattern, you can see Aparna’s version here and Carmen’s version here.