Drawstring Tote Bag

This little tote bag, approximately 4" x 7", is created using a size G crochet hook and Lilly's Sugar N' Cream cotton yarn in Hot Pink.

Begin bottom:
Row 1: In magic circle, sc 9. Join w/slip st to 1st sc. (as always, unless otherwise indicated).
Don't know how to make a magic circle? Follow this link to watch an online tutorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg&feature=related
Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in next st and every sc around. Join. (16)
Row 3: ch1, *sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (24)
Row 4: ch1, *sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around. Join. (32)
Row 5: ch 1, *sc in 3 sc, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (40)
Row 6: ch 1, *sc in 4 sc, 2 sc in next, repeat from * around. Join. (48)
Row 7: ch 1, *sc in 5 sc, 2 sc in next repeat, from * around. Join. (56)


Begin sides:
Row 1: Turn, ch2, *work front post half double crochet in 1st sc and every sc around.(57) Join in top of 1st hdc.
Row 2: Turn. ch2, hdc in ea hdc around to last hdc. Join w/sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch3.
Row 3: ch5, dc in same sp, *dc in 3rd hdc, ch3, dc in next hdc, repeat from * around to 4th to last hdc. Join w/ sl st in 2nd ch of   1st ch 5 of the same row.
Row 4-19: sl st 2 stitches over so yarn in in center of ch3 sp, ch5, dc in same ch3 sp, *(dc, ch3, dc) in next ch3 sp, repeat from * around. Join w/ sl st in 2nd ch of 1st ch5 of the same row.
Row 20: sl st 2 stitches over so yarn is in center of ch3 sp, ch5, dc in same ch3 sp, *(dc, ch3, dc, ch3, dc) in next ch3 sp, (dc, ch3, dc) in next ch3 sp, repeat from * around. Finish off.


Ties: (make 2)
Chain 50, and finish off. (ie-cut the yarn and secure the end)

Taking one tie, weave around the bag in and out through the right and wrong side of row 18's chain-3 spaces. Tie each end securely together with a square knot and trim ends closely to the knot.
Repeat the above directions again for the second tie. When you weave the second tie through the bag, make sure the tie goes in through each space in the same direction as the other tie (ie-front to back, or back to front)


**In photo 1 & 2  you will see where and how the ties are put in this bag.

** Photo two shows the two separate ties:

**Photo three shows where to grab ONE tie from the opposite end of the bag:

**Photo four shows pulling that ONE tie out further: 

 

** Photo five:  Pull each tie from opposite ends at the same time to close bag.

Weave in any loose ends, remembering to also securely tie off end from the magic chain.