The handles are braided drapery tie-backs like several other people have used.  The drawstring is lengths of the contrast colors used in the squares twisted into a tight cord and knotted on the ends.  The border the cord is threaded through is simply one round of sc, then 1 round of 2dc cluster, ch 1, 2 dc cluster, ch 1.  I finished it with one more round of sc and then my favorite edging stitch, which is ch 1, sl st, ch 1, sl st, repeating to the end of the round.  This gives it a little bit of a zigzag effect similar to rickrack.  I also used this stitch for all the seaming I did on the bag except for the seams joining the base to the side gussets.

The modification to the side  gussets went something like this:  starting at the top of the side panel I crocheted *20 sc, 15 hdc, & 15 dc.  Turn & ch 3.  Work dc’s into dc’s, hdc’s into hdc’s and sc’s into sc’s.  Turn & ch 1.  Sc in every stitch, turn & ch 1.  Sc in every stitch, turn & ch 1.  Then repeat this sequence till the gusset is the width you want.  ALSO:  on the sc sections of the row, I alternated crocheting into the front loop only with crocheting into the back loop only to get the texture I wanted.

The modification for the base of the bag is simple; just rows of sc alternating between the main bag color and the contrast colors.  I did find though that if you were using the contrast colors when the wrong side was facing you, then they would show up more prominently than the main color when it’s all seamed up.

Here she is, in all her glory.

I enjoyed making this bag so much there will be another in my future someday I’m sure.

Thanks for letting me crochet-along with all of you and Thank You! to Cecily for such a great pattern and inspiration!

Rebecca

 I completed my Larger Than Life Bag….almost.

For this bag, I’m crocheting a lining using Red Heart sturdy acrylic yarn….more to come.

I am using Tahki Cotton Classic (which is perfect for this project) in eight colors; 7 for the squares, and the 8th for the borders and trim. I haven’t decided on the eighth color yet , so if you all have any feedback, sing out in the comments! The colors that I am considering are shown around the blocks (black, creme, med. brown, tan, dk. brown), except for a dark chocolate brown that I haven’t been able to find locally. What do you think?

I’ll be doing some cross-posting between here and my blog, so stop on by for a visit sometime! Cheers!

NOTE: (There is no brown used in this bag, my main color is an olive green despite what your monitor may be trying to tell you.)

Here’s the side gusset view:

Here is the bottom of the bag view:

Here is Side #1:

Here is Side #2:

Here is the twisted cord I made potentially for handles but I’m not real sure what I want to use yet.  I think I’m going to Joann’s tomorrow and see if they have anything that catches my eye.

Well I did it!!! The lining was a bit tricky for me because I’ve never finished a crochet bag before but I am so happy/proud of myself! Thank you Cecily for designing such a great bag and for starting this CAL. Thank you ladies for all your sweet comments and your beautiful work for inspiration. Now I just have one question…..What colors should I use for my next Larger than life bag?

I told you I was going to finish it soon, I was going to make the lining white but when Rebecca (Heartknits) saw the pic she suggested pink polka dots. Shes a genius!! So I went out today and got this fabric and a pink zipper. I’m thrilled to get my sew on either tonight or tomorrow morning. I’ll be back soon, hope you are all having a fabulous day!