Easy Crochet Tote Bag Pattern (For All Skill Levels)

Materials

• Hook Size: G/4.0 mm  crochet hook
• 4 balls Dishie cotton (Yarn Weight: 4/worsted)
  • 2 in the shade Inlet
  • 1 in Swan
  • 1 in Conch
• If you’d like to use a different yarn, you’ll need approximately 700 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn. 
• Tapestry needle and scissors 
• Stitch markers (optional)
• This video will help walk you through the stitches.

Notes

• Bag measures approximately 14” x 14” with a 14” handle height
• This body of this bag is worked in the round. The straps are made one at a time and then attached to the bag. 
• Chains do not count as a stitch unless otherwise noted.  
• Handles are worked separately and then attached to the bag 
• Work into the back bump of the the chain stitches 
• This pattern is in US terms.

Gauge:

• 17 stitches and 10 rows in a 4 inch square.  

Abbreviations: 

• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sl st – slip stitch
• ch – chain 
• st – stitch
• rep – repeat
• sk – skip

Crochet Tote Tutorial:

Buy the ad-free, print-friendly PDF here.

Using conch, ch 62.

You may find it helpful to mark the first dc of each row with a stitch marker. 

Round 1: dc in the third chain and in each ch across to the last ch. Work four dc in the last chain so that you’ll be able to “turn the corner” and work into the bottom of the stitches you just made

Now, working into the base of the stitches you made on the other side, work 1 dc into the base of each stitch until the last stitch. Work 3 dc into the base last st. Sl st to the top of the first stitch (not the ch 2) to join. (64 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1, dc in the SAME stitch and in each stitch around. (64 Stitches)

Rounds 3-9: rep round 2.

After round 8, cut yarn and join cream yarn. 

Rounds 10-11: Repeat row 2 using cream. 

Cut Swan yarn and join Inlet.

Round 12: Ch 1, dc in the same stitch. *Ch 2, sk two stitches, dc in the next two stitches.* around to the last 3 stitches. Ch 2, sk two stitches, dc in the last stitch. Sl st to the top of the first st. (16 ch 2 spaces, and 32 dc)

Rounds 13-15:Ch 1, dc in each stitch around. Sl st to the top of the first st to join. 

Rep rows 12-15 five more times for a total of 35 rows.

Cut yarn and weave ends.

Now it’s time to make the handles:

Make 2 handles using Swan.

Ch 7. 

Row 1: dc in the third stitch and in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn (6)

Row 2:dc in the first stitch and in each stitch across. Be sure to work into the top of the chain at the end of the row (only on this row). Ch 1, turn. (6)

Row 3-70: Dc in the first stitch and in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn

Cut yarn and weave ends.

Handles should measure approx. 30 inches long.

Note: if you’d like your handles to be less likely to stretch, you could make them using single crochet stitches rather than double crochets.

How to Attach the Handles to the Easy Crochet Tote Bag:

Attach the handles to the inside of the bag approximately 3 inches from the edge of the bag. I sewed these on using the Inlet shade straight stitches. Using contrasting yarn is also an option.

Modification Options:

Solid Fabric:

If you want to use this bag more like a purse, you probably want a little bit of a denser fabric. If that’s the case, repeat row 2 for all 37 rows of the market tote. If you do this, the entire bag will have the same density of the coral section. 

This is a great option if you’re worried that some of your items will “slip through the cracks.” 

Other Favorite Colors to Use (all Dishie Cotton): 

• Creme Brulee, Jade, & Clarity
• Inlet, Lilca Mist, & Swan
• Inlet, Kenai, Swan

Embellishment Ideas:

Though this bag is absolutely perfect without any extra bells and whistles, I know some people like to add a little extra something to their crochet makes.

• Add a crochet flower or two
• Throw on some pom-poms
• Attach some tassels
• Add a pocket – crochet a square or rectangle and stitch it to the inside or outside of the bag to create some extra storage. 

Share your Work!

If you make this pattern, please snap a photo and share it with me! I love seeing what you make from my free patterns. You can send it to me via email, tag me on Instagram, or post it to my Facebook page.

Sell Your Makes!

You’re more than welcome to sell items that you make using the Daisy Cottage Designs patterns. Providing a link to the pattern is always appreciated, and please remember to always use your own photos in your Etsy listings, etc.