Round bottom bag

I made this bag using Red Heart Super Saver in Black, Mediterranean Blue, Country Blue, and White.
The color effect is done by holding two strands of yarn together throughout the work, and changing one strand at a time to get the color change.

The pattern is one I developed myself, but this is the first time I've done it like this. I like the effect a lot and will probably make some other stuff this way.  The pattern is really easy,  just start with a circle, either crochet or knit, and then work up the sides on a circular needle. At the top do a yarn over, knit 2 together at regular intervals to draw your i-cord through, knit a couple more rows, then bind off.

I made this bag with a crocheted bottom, the idea of using double pointed needles and two strands of yarn was a bit intimidating.

 Chain 4, join together, then chain 1, and 8 single crochet into the loop, join at the first single crochet.

rnd 2: chain 1, then 2 single crochet in each single crochet, join at the first single crochet.

rnd 3: chain 1, *single crochet in first single crochet, 2 single crochet in the next  single crochet* repeat around then join at first single crochet.

rnd 4: chain 1 * single crochet in next 2 single crochet, 2 single crochet in third single crochet* repeat aound then join at first single crochet.

Continue increasing the number of single crochets before you do the 2 single crochet  in each round until you get the size circle you want. Notice the chain 1 is not counted as a single crochet. Double crochet would work also, but your bottom would be less dense.

Pick up stitches around the circle with a circular needle and join, marking the stitch where you joined, then begin knitting around. I find it helpful to have a floating marker at the beginning of the row, by floating I mean I slip it onto the needle and slip it over every round instead of marking a stitch. Keep knitting until the length you desire and then finish. 

Sometimes I work in a simple yarn over knit 2 tog lace pattern for a more open beach bag, but if you want to add in some cables or another lace pattern, that would work too. I'll talk about i-cords another time.  Thanks, and have fun with it.