A process for blow-molding a container, the container having a handle, whereby the process includes the steps of: (i) introducing a preform into a mold cavity and stretching the preform with a stretch rod; (ii) increasing the pressure within the preform so that the preform expands within the mold cavity in a first blowing step, the pressure in the first blowing step is from 1 to 10 bar; (iii) inwardly moving jaws within the mold cavity so that the expanding preform is partially gripped between the jaws in the handle region; (iv) subsequently increasing the pressure within the preform wherein the maximum pressure in the second blowing step is greater than 10 bar, so that the preform expands to the limits of the mold cavity in a second blowing step to form a container; and wherein the inward movement of the jaws is completed within the first blowing step.