CRAFT | Summer Knit Tote

I think it is impossible to consider a summer without an additional all-around tote. From extra water bottles to sunscreen, to that perfect novel you're still finishing, summer totes are a seasonal necessity for me. This tote is extra roomy -- perfect for the beach, the farmer's market ... or just carrying around in the car.

This tote is subtly striped, using four colors. The pattern calls for twice as much yarn as I actually used, and I did use the suggested colors. I love the cotton yarn woven into the 2-strand knitting.

It's not too late to spend a couple of hours knitting your own perfect summer tote.





Lion Brand All-About-Town Tote

YARN: (Pattern calls for 2 balls of each -- I only used 1)


• 860-145 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Eggplant balls (A)

• 860-141 Vanna's Choice Yarn: Wild Berry (B)

• 830-113 Cotton-Ease: Cherry (C)

• 830-145 Cotton-Ease: Plum (D)


GAUGE:
14 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in Seed st with 1 strand each of A and C held together. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:
Seed Stitch (over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * across.
Row 2: K the purl sts and p the knit sts.
Rep Row 2 for Seed st.


STRIPE SEQUENCE
Stripe I Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of A and C held tog.
Stripe II Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of B and C held tog.
Stripe III Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of A and D held tog.
Stripe IV Work in Seed st with 1 strand each of B and D held tog.

TOTE FRONT
With 1 strand each of A and C held tog, cast on 15 sts.
Row 1: Work Row 1 of Seed st across.
Row 2: Work Row 2 of Seed st to last st, k into front and back of st (inc made) – 16 sts.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures 3 1/2 in. (9 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of B and C held tog and rep Row 2 until you have 51 sts, then work even in Seed st until piece measures 7 in. (18 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of A and D, and work in Stripe III until piece measures 10 1/2 in. (27 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of B and D, and work in Stripe IV until piece measures 14 in. (35.5 cm) from beg.
Change to 1 strand each of A and C, and work in Stripe I until piece measures 15 1/2 in. (39.5 cm) from beg.
Shape Strap
Next Row: Continuing in Stripe I, work 8 sts and place onto holder, bind off next 35 sts, finish row.
Work in Seed st as established on remaining 8 sts until Strap measures 2 in. (5 cm), then change to 1 strand each of B and C.
Work in Stripe Sequence as follows:
Work in Stripe II until Strap measures 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm), work in Stripe III until Strap measures 10 in. (25.5 cm), then continue in Stripe IV until Strap measures 12 in. (30.5 cm), AT THE SAME TIME, dec 1 st at outer edge of Strap every 3 in. (7.5 cm), 3 times – 5 sts.
When Strap measures 12 in. (30.5 cm), bind off.
For second half of Strap, place sts from holder back onto needle, rejoin A and C, and work as for first half of Strap.

BACK
Work as for Front.

FINISHING
Sew Front and Back together along lower edge. Sew sides, continuing side seam along edge of Straps (seam will run along center of finished Straps). Sew ends of Straps together. Weave in ends.

MY NOTE:  This pattern could easily be knit in the round. I will do this if I knit the pattern again. Simply cast on 30 sts instead of 15, use double-pointed needles, join the round. Place a marker at the beginning of the round and another one after st 15. Increase as pattern indicates. Switch to a circular needle to finish the bag.

Download Pattern pdf

Source: Lion Brand Yarn

ACTIVITIES | Free Admission to National Parks Saturday, June 9

In celebration of the 5th annual National Get Outdoors Day, all 397 parks within the national park system will be free to the public on Saturday, June 9th. While the vast majority of national parks never charge an entrance fee, the parks that do will waive their fee on Saturday, June 9, 2012. GO Day replaces the first day of summer which was a free entrance day in 2011.


Participants from federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the recreation industry participate in this annual event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun at sites across the nation.

Each GO Day event will offer a mix of information centers and “active fun” areas – places where guests, and especially kids, can use a fishing pole, go geocaching, help pitch a tent and more. The sites will provide photo opportunities with characters like Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl and other interesting creatures. Many sites also feature areas that focus on other aspects of healthy living, including sustainability and good nutrition. In addition to the GO Day events, participants will be invited to nearby follow-up activities called EchO events occurring throughout the summer, which include introductions to mountain biking and fly-fishing, hikes with rangers to see wildlife, kayaking and rafting and much more.

Additionally, there are 124 locations besides the national parks that will be participating.

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Other 2012 Free Entrance Days at U.S. National Parks are as follows:

January 14 – 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend)

April 21 – 29 (National Park Week)

June 9 (Get Outdoors Day)

September 29 (National Public Lands Day)

Nov. 10 – 12 (Veterans Day weekend)

FAMILY ACTIVITIES | $1 Summer Movie Express at Regal Theaters

 

Summer Movie Express sponsored by Regal Theaters. Moviegoers of all ages can climb aboard the Summer Movie Express to enjoy a great selection of films. During this 9-week festival, participating Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only a dollar on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:00. A portion of proceeds from the Summer Movie Express will be donated to the Will Rogers Institute.

Search for a participating theater near you.