need pattern help

I have been in love with this pattern forever, its the easiest one imaginable. I mean easy peasy lemon squeezy easy.

Sugar'n Cream Naturals - Summer Totes (crochet)

 the pattern end up looking like this:

Instead of like this:

My mom who is an experienced knitter/crocheter has tried to help me, but we can't figure it out, i have done everything to make sure i'm not adding stitches, and not dropping/decreasing stitches, but it won't go straight. I don't know what to do. I'm left handed, does this have anything to do with why its not working straight??  any help out there??

newest challenge....

ok today i'm working on a 3 cornered handbag....vintage, i'm in love with this pattern, and REALLY wanna make it. here's the link: http://grandmotherspatternbook.com/?p=2290 however i don't know what's wrong with me, i can't get it. i'm kinda stumped on the first 3 rows. its like an alien language to me. I'm dying to make it, but can't get my mom on the phone and don't have anyone else i can call for help on this.

i'm making a plea to my blog and any potential readers, if you have made this, can you help me make sense out of this...would you email me and post pictures or anything like that?!

thanks for reading, once i get this done i will post pics. i'm sure. yay i finally figured out how to add a picture!! lol