It's Stashing Tote

It's Stashing Tote by Susan Carlson

Project Overview

The It's Stashing Tote is a beginner-friendly crochet bag design created by Susan Carlson and distributed by Felted Button. This project combines colorwork crochet with wet felting techniques to create a finished tote bag with distinctive texture and structure. The design features a multi-colored patchwork pattern that transforms through the felting process, making it an ideal project for crafters interested in exploring how fiber preparation affects finished dimensions and appearance.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a structured tote bag suitable for everyday carrying and storage. The bag consists of a front panel, back panel, and side panels that are crocheted separately and then assembled. The finished tote measures approximately 10.5 inches in height and 12 inches in width after felting and blocking, with side panels measuring 6.5 inches wide. Before the felting process, the front and back panels measure 14 inches in both height and width, with side panels at 10 inches wide, demonstrating the significant dimensional change that occurs during wet felting.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

The It's Stashing Tote employs fundamental crochet techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The pattern utilizes a structured approach with separate panel construction, allowing stitchers to work on manageable sections before assembly. The design incorporates colorwork through the use of eight different yarn colors plus a main color, creating a visually striking patchwork effect. The gauge is established by small squares within the pattern, each measuring 5 inches before felting, which helps crafters understand how their tension will affect the final dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) — Foundation stitch used to begin rows and create structural elements
• Single crochet (sc) — Basic stitch providing tight, dense fabric suitable for felting
• Half double crochet (hdc) — Medium-height stitch used for structured sections
• Double crochet (dc) — Taller stitch creating lighter fabric areas
• Half treble (htr) — Extended stitch for specific pattern elements
• Slip stitch (sl st) — Used for joining rounds and connecting panels
• Skip (sk) — Technique for creating shaping and pattern variation

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern calls for Full O' Sheep by Stitch Nation, a 100% wool yarn in worsted weight. Wool is essential for this project because it is the fiber that will be felted to create the final structure and appearance. The pattern requires one skein each of eight colors—Poppy, Clementine, Honeycomb, Aquamarine, Mediterranean, Peony, Passionfruit, and Plummy—plus three skeins of Meadow for the main color. Each skein contains 3.5 ounces and 155 yards of yardage.

Tools: Crafters will need a size I (5.5mm) crochet hook for working with the worsted weight yarn at the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in ends and assembling the panels together.

Notions: Four buttons measuring 3/4 inch (2cm) are included in the pattern materials, likely used for closure or decorative elements on the finished tote.

Felting Process Impact

A distinctive feature of this pattern is the integration of wet felting, which significantly alters the finished dimensions and texture of the crocheted fabric. The felting and blocking process causes the fabric to shrink and become denser, transforming the piece from its pre-felted measurements of 14 inches to a finished height of 10.5 inches. This approximately 25% reduction in height demonstrates how important it is for crafters to understand that felting is not a precise process and variations will occur between individual projects. The dimensional changes affect both the height and width of panels, requiring crafters to account for this transformation when planning their project.

Skill Level and Suitability

Designated as a beginner-level project, the It's Stashing Tote is accessible to crafters new to crochet or those seeking to expand their skills into colorwork and finishing techniques. The pattern's use of basic stitches and straightforward panel construction makes it an excellent introduction to bag-making. The addition of felting introduces crafters to fiber preparation and finishing methods that enhance the durability and appearance of the final piece.